1993 Ferrari 512 TR

Ferrari introduced the Testarossa at the Paris Auto Show in October 1984 as a successor to the Berlinetta Boxer, another Pininfarina design introduced in 1973. Its name recalled Modena's all-conquering sports racers of the late 1950s with the dramatic and functional Pininfarina styling.

The bodywork of the Ferrari Testarossa was exotic and muscular, and the mid-mounted 180-degree, 4.9-liter engine featured Bosch K-Jetronic electronic fuel injection and four valves per cylinder, delivering 390 horsepower and making the Testarossa the world's most powerful sports car at launch. It delivered blistering performance with acceleration from resto to 60 mph in just over 5.0 seconds, the ¼-mile in 12.9 seconds, and a top speed approaching 180 mph. It remained in production for 11 years, ending in 1995, was the fastest production car during that period.

The Testarossa had a rigid tubular-frame chassis with fully independent suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and large four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. It used Ferrari's classic gated shift lever controlling the five-speed manual gearbox.

The Ferrari 512 TR made its debut in 1991 and brought with it an increase in power to 428 horsepower at 6,750 RPM with comprehensive updates to the engine, brakes, engine mounts, tires, driveline, and interior. It continued to wear styling by Pininfarina with body updates that better integrated the spoilers and engine cover, along with other tweaks that brought its styling inline with Ferrari's contemporary V-8 348. By 1992, 512 TR pricing was from $212,160 USD.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFLG40A8P0096657

Ferrari responded to the 1990 launch of Lamborghini's new Diablo with the introduction of the 512 TR. It was an evolution of the Testarossa and powered by a 4942cc horizontally opposed, DOHC twelve-cylinder engine fitted with a Bosch K-jetronic fuel injection system. Similar to its predecessor, the 512TR featured a refined frontal design similar to the 348, but with mostly different internals. the gearbox was redesigned to shift more smoothly with a single-plate clutch. The enlarged discs were cross-drilled and the steering was quickened.

This car was part of a private collection until its acquisition by the current owner in August 2010. It is finished in red with a black leather interior. It is one of just 2,280 512 TRs produced between 1991 and 1994.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at RM Auctions' Arizona sale where it was estimated to sell for $85,000 - $95,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $82,250 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFLG40A9P0096165
Engine number: 33251

The Ferrari 512 TR was an updated version of the Testarossa. It was introduced at the 1992 Los Angeles Auto Show and it had an updated interior which improved driver and passenger comfort, with the most notable change being to the seats and steering wheel. Outside, the nose was given a facelift to aid aerodynamics, while the majority of the exterior remained largely unchanged.

Powering the 512 TR was an opposed dual overhead cam 12-cylinder engine fitted with a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system. It gained 38 additional horsepower, thanks to a more efficient exhaust system and the adoption of Nikasil cylinder liners. It was given quicker steering, a single-plate clutch coupled to a smoother gearbox, and larger cross-drilled brake discs. Top speed rose to 195 mph, bringing it into rage of the F40's 201 mph at just a fraction of the price.

This 1993 model was originally delivered to Continental Motors, of Hinsdale, Illinois. The car is finished in Nero over Grigio. It was acquired by Bob Pond from the Auto Toy Store, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has remained in the Southern California collection ever since.

This car has been driven just under 2,800 actual miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

The Ferrari 512 TR is certainly among the most desired and recognized Ferraris ever built. The first series, known as the Testarossa, was produced from 1984 through 1991 as a 12-cylinder mid-engine that was the successor to the Berlinetta Boxer. The second series was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show and was produced from 1992 to 1996. Nearly 10,000 Testarossa's were produced, making it one of the most mass-produced Ferrari models.

The rear-mid-engine design places the engine between the axles but behind the cabin. This keeps the center of gravity closer to the middle of the car, which increase stability and improves the car's cornering ability.

The original Testarossa design was re-engineered for the 1992 model year and re-introduced as the 512 TR, basically an entirely new car. This prime example has been preserved in nearly new condition with just over 2,800 miles.

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFLG40A8P0096223

This Ferrari 512 TR is a mid-production example that is finished in the original Rosso paint and beige interior. It has been certified by Ferrari Classiche as a matching-numbers example retaining all of its original major mechanical components. In 2013, it received an engine-out service that included replacement of the timing belt, while the water pump and seals were simultaneously addressed. Additional maintenance by Ferrari of Atlanta was performed in 2018 with receipts totaling over $33,000. The work included the installation of a new exhaust system, cleaning of the fuel tanks and installation of new fuel pumps and lines, and repair to the water pump and air-conditioning compressor.

This Ferrari currently has 10,092 miles on the odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFLG40A1P0095298

This 1993 Ferrari 512TR is one of 408 originally sold in the United States. It is finished in black with a matching interior, and currently has 27,000 miles on the odometer. Its 4.9-liter horizontally opposed flat 12-cylinder engine is backed by a dog-leg five-speed manual transaxle. There are cross-drilled and vented disc brakes, front brake ducts, 5-spoke aluminum wheels, and trapezoidal grille opening.

by Dan Vaughan

The 512TR (Testarossa) was introduced in 1992 as a replacement for the Testarossa. The 5 represented the number of liters and the 12 for the number of cylinders.

Due in part to larger valves, a new engine management system, a new inlet and exhaust system, and a higher compression ratio, horsepower was increased by 30 (to 421 bhp) using the same 3932cc engine that was in the Testarossa. It had a top speed of 192 mph and could go from zero to sixty mph in only 4.8 seconds.

During 1994, the 512M (modified) was introduced which included fixed-headlights rather than pop-up and round rear lights.

by Dan Vaughan

The Ferrari Testarossa leaped to center stage of the automotive world in 1984 and remained there for 11 years as the world's fastest regular production car. It was the definition of 'supercar' in its era, the innovative benchmark against which all contemporary sports cars were measured.

When Ferrari set about creating a replacement for the Berlinetta Boxer, a V12 engine, high performance, style and exemplary design were assumed. Ferrari dictated that luxury and practicality befitting the world's premier production sports car were also to be encompassed. Even as the Testarossa exerted a pull on the hearts and minds of car lovers, not to mention designers, Ferrari did not sit on their laurels. 1984's Testarossa evolved into the 512TR of 1991. With each evolution the styling, interior, and drivetrain were enhanced in a car that was always capable of speeds exceeding 180mph, accelerated to 60mph in approximately 5 seconds, and attained almost 0.9G lateral acceleration.

Design

In 1991 the Testarossa evolved into the 512 TR with subtle exterior changes to improve aerodynamics. The alterations included a one-piece nose with rounded front grille, flush mounted lights and ducts, and a new undertray. At the rear a small kamm tail smoothed airflow. High speed stability and cooling improved, while lift was reduced.

Structure

The 512 TR had a floor pan strengthened at high stress points by chromium-molybdenum steel. New welding techniques strengthened joints. The drivetrain and rear suspension of the 512 TR were directly mounted on the full rear frame. These changes contributed to substantially increased torsional rigidity and decreased weight.

Drivetrain

The engine of the 512 TR evolved significantly to produce 421bhp at 6750rpm, and 360lbs-ft of torque at 5500rpm. The torque curve of the 512 TR is somewhat more progressive than that of its predecessor. These improvements were achieved through numerous small changes including a strengthened block, a 10:1 compression ratio, revised valves, and a new intake system that ingeniously changed the intake of air. A Bosch Motronic 2.7 system controlled the engine.

Wheels

To fully exploit its power, the 512 TR was also given new cast alloy wheels. These wheels are thinner spoked versions of the Testarossa's, for improved brake cooling. The five hub bolts remain. These wheels are18'X8' with 235/ZR40 tires at front, and 18'X10.5' with 295/ZR35 tires at the rear.

Interior

The interior of the 512 TR differed most obviously from the Testarossa by changes to the center console, providing a more spacious feeling in the cabin. The basic shape and arrangement of the dashboard was unchanged, though its edges were rounded. Some gauges and instruments were relocated within the binnacle. The 512 TR was also given an updated Momo steering wheel with a slightly thicker leather covered rim. The seats were redesigned and lowered.

by Ferrari