The Testarossa's only transmission was a five-speed manual because, after all, this was a fire-breathing Ferrari. Pictured is a 1992 Testarossa 512 TR.The Ferrari name evokes images of exotic, usually blood-red cars streaking at impossible speeds past mundane autos. And few Ferraris can match the 1985-94 Testarossa coupe for speed and sheer sexiness.
Americans are probably most familiar with the much milder Ferrari 308 GTS featured in the 1980s "Magnum P.I." television series. But maybe not -- because the Testarossa was a fixture on the "Miami Vice" television series from that decade.
The Testarossa made a big splash when introduced at the Paris auto show in late 1984. Designed to overshadow the sensational Lamborghini Countach, the Testarossa was derived from the racy but less-refined 1974-84 Ferrari 365/512 BB (Berlinetta Boxer).
The Testarossa made a big splash when introduced at the Paris auto show in late 1984. Designed to overshadow the sensational Lamborghini Countach, the Testarossa was derived from the racy but less-refined 1974-84 Ferrari 365/512 BB (Berlinetta Boxer).
Both Ferraris had a 12-cylinder engine positioned race-car-style behind the cockpit and ahead of the rear axle for the best weight distribution and handling. Horizontally opposed pistons led their compact engines to be nicknamed "boxers" because their pistons moved forward and away from each other, like fighters sparring.
The new Ferrari revived the Testa Rossa ("red head") name -- although shortened to one word -- from the late 1950s and early 1960s Ferrari Testa Rossa race cars, which had red engine cylinder head covers.
Continuing tradition, the Testarossa was designed by Italy's Pininfarina firm, which had a long association with Ferrari. (The BB was assembled by Italy's Scaglietti, a lesser Ferrari associate.)
The Testarossa was brutishly handsome and pretty heavy at 3,660 pounds. Its most noticeable body feature, besides its flip-up headlights, was a set of long, longitudinal slats on each side. They supplied air to twin radiators, one on each side of the car, to eliminate BB owner complaints about cockpit heat from that car's radiator to the engine pipes. The slots also allowed more front luggage room.
By the 1980s, Ferraris for civilian use had become far less temperamental than earlier "street" models, and the Testarossa was solid and reliable, with a smooth ride.
The roomy interior had anatomically designed seats covered in soft glove leather, a tilt wheel, easily reached controls and air conditioning with automatic temperature control. A large glass area offered good visibility for such a low-slung coupe.
Of course, the Testarossa mainly was bought for its awesome performance, not luxury. Its 5-liter engine had a four-valve-per-cylinder setup that helped it produce 380 horsepower -- or 40 more than the BB had. That made it the fastest, most powerful production car sold in America, a country for which it was (unlike some Ferraris) specifically conceived with U.S. safety and emissions standards in mind.
The Testarossa did 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds and topped out at 180 mph, although it was docile. Motor Trend magazine called the two-seater "an absolute delight," although its quick steering was heavy below 20 mph because the car wasn't designed for low-speed maneuvers.
The Testarossa's width gave it a large turning circle, although it drove "narrower" than it was, being much easier to maneuver than expected. However, you always knew you were in a wide car because the Testarossa was designed around a large, wide 12-cylinder in a mid-engine location.
The only transmission was a five-speed manual because, after all, this was a fire-breathing Ferrari.
Road & Track especially liked the Testarossa's race-car-style handling, noting that it reflected Ferrari's famous racing heritage. "Young and old are attracted to this car, and many crave or even demand that E-ticket ride," the magazine said.
Forza, a Ferrari magazine, said that, by modern standards, the Testarossa "delivers true supercar performance, yet is docile, tractable and refined enough for daily use." Road & Track magazine said, "For all its futuristic looks, the Testarossa is a civilized and practical car."
The rival Lamborghini Countach was far more difficult to drive.
The 1985 Testarossa wasn't inexpensive around $85,000, but Ferraris always had cost a lot, and the car was an instant hit. By 1989 the price had jumped to $145,000, but nobody seemed to care.
Ferrari gave the Testarossa only subtle styling changes. The most noticeable was relocation of the driver's big rearview mirror to the base of the windshield post and addition of a mirror to the same spot on the passenger side in 1987. The dashboard and console were altered, and the car got five-spoke alloy wheels with five lug nuts in 1988.
The Testarossa was upgraded in 1992 and got the "512 TR" designation. Horsepower was increased to 421, and the car had better brakes and larger tires. It now could do 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and hit 192 mph.
"With the new 512 TR, we take the [Testarossa's] tradition of excellence one step further, offering our clientele a stronger, faster and better-handling Ferrari," Ferrari North America said in December 1991.
The Testarossa was gone by the late 1990s, replaced by the front-engine 550 Maranello. It was a better car, but it somehow lacked the Testarossa's magic.
VIDEO: Jill's bloopers
