Fantasy Junction

Description

1986 Ferrari Testarossa
s/n *ZFFSA17A6G0062119*, engine no. *00237*
Giallo Modena with Black leather

Introduced at the prestigious Paris Auto Show in 1984, the Pininfarina designed Ferrari Testarossa stunned the world with unprecedented styling, remarkable performance, and technical innovations. Designer and trained aerodynamicist Leonardo Fioravanti, already credited with many modern Ferrari designs, set the stage for a dramatic departure from the Boxer. Dealing directly with the previous cooling challenges and cabin heat in the 512 Boxer, the Testarossa design team placed radiators on each side of the car, adding a full 12” of additional width while also increasing the wheelbase of the former Boxer platform. Of course, the added room allowed for ample trunk and passenger space, but the most striking design feature was the bold use of the enormous side openings, accented by five horizontal strakes, which visually diffused the vast intake chambers. Whatever controversy ensued over the looks was immediately quieted by impressive performance and ultimately record-breaking sales.

Power for the new design came from a new quad cam four valve horizontally opposed twelve-cylinder engine capable of delivering 390hp. Quick and capable at high speeds, the Testarossa was properly appointed inside with leather surfacing on the rear shelf, headliner, and visors in addition to the traditional leather seats and console. The sizable trunk, comfortable seating position, and ease of controls, made it an ideal car for comfortable long distance high-speed drives. Today, Testarossa owners are known for frequently using their cars, several examples of which have logged over 100k miles and a few now in excess of 200k.

This Testarossa is an early production car, which features the single side mirror, placed high on the driver’s side A-pillar. In Italian, these cars are referred to as “monospecchio” which simply means “single mirror,” to differentiate them from the later cars which had two mirrors mounted in the conventional location. Early cars were also distinguished by the fitment of center-lock wheels and the unusually mounted odometer at the bottom of the center console instead of on the speedometer head. Over time, these early cars have become desired for their rarity, signaling to learned onlookers they are viewing one of the very first ground-breaking cars delivered.

This particular car was constructed in January 1986, and has covered 36,500 miles from new. Originally red in color, it has been properly maintained and comes with several years of service records as well as a Carfax report with data included since 1996. In August 1996, the car had logged 7,325 miles and was located in Cincinnati, Ohio. By 2000, the car had made its way to New Jersey with 21,450 miles, where it was still located in October 2005 with 23,581 miles. By April 2014, the car had logged 34,883 miles when it received a service in Auburn, New Hampshire including timing belt and tensioner, clutch, clutch slave cylinder, throw-out bearing, and a new distributor cap.

In November 2014, the car was sold by International Auto Group in Florida and delivered to an owner in California, who had the car maintained by Virtuoso Performance in Hayward, CA. This included a $10,000 service in March, 2015 at 35,422 miles, which included exhaust, fuel injection, and engine management improvements: a new Bosch fuel injector, new oxygen sensors, rebuilding both fuel distributors, new catalytic converters, new spark plug wires, and new cam seals at both distributors. The car was dyno tested and then smogged. In December 2015, with 35,762 miles indicated, the car was disassembled and repainted by South County Auto Body in yellow, the color of the Testarossa that the owner of this car originally selected when he ordered one new and then cancelled at the recommendation of his wife. At this time, the alternator was also rebuilt and hood struts replaced. The wheels were removed and professionally reconditioned as well, including rechroming all four knock-offs and bezels, at a cost of $2,400. The car was properly primed, blocked, fully painted and then carefully reassembled and detailed, departing the shop with an invoice for $24,811.00. In January 2017, fuel metering units were adjusted and the car smogged again.

Today with 36,446 miles showing, this properly preserved and maintained Testarossa presents very nicely in Fly Yellow with black leather interior. The exterior of the car is exceptionally nice, owing to the comprehensive and detailed respray performed less than 1000 miles ago. The bumpers fit well and all the trim has been properly finished, including the laser straight side vent details. Overall the finish is very high quality and nicely detailed. The factory wheels are in essentially new condition with no significant damage to the surfaces or edges, again having been fully reconditioned less than 1000 miles ago. The glass, trim, and Testarossa signature black accents are all in excellent condition, including the emblems and script. The lighting and lenses throughout the car are in beautifully preserved.

The interior is in very good original condition, presenting clean and tidy interior finishes throughout. The leather is in good condition with some surface wear on the left bolster of the driver’s seat, typical of these cars. Seating cushion and support bolsters remain smooth in appearance, as do all other leather surfaces including very straight dash and overhead console. The dash and black panels with rotating knobs all appear in nice condition overall, as are the carpets and kick plates, which show only slight wear in the pedal area.

The engine compartment and trunk are very nice. The matching numbers engine has been expertly maintained and all finishes appear factory correct with proper hoses, air cleaner, and wires. Cosmetically the engine area is very clean, showing correct factory stickers and markings, including even a new paint code sticker to match the car’s current color. Clearly when the professional service work and timing belt was done, workmanship included proper cleaning and attention to detail, as evidenced by the fine presentation under the hood. The painted red heads, from which the Testarossa name is historically derived, are clean and nicely finished as are the intake plenums with the raw aluminum casting finish accented by red paint and embossed Ferrari cast lettering. The trunk liners and carpet are very clean as is the spare tire and specialized rim. The chassis appears very clean, free from any structural damage, and while generally tidy and dry, there is evidence of road use typical of a car that has been enjoyed as intended.

The car starts instantly and idles with a throaty growl since it is currently fitted with test pipes. Driving is both exciting and pleasant with progressive acceleration, great torque, and wonderful power on hand. The car is exciting yet civilized to drive. It is an easy car to spend long periods of time in, particularly compared to other classic cars. Visibility is surprisingly good given the width of the car and the low stance. The monospecchio single mirror feature is perfectly placed and surprisingly allows a great deal of rearward visibility, over the sweeping rear fender, giving good visual coverage to flanking lane traffic. Seating position is excellent even for taller people with easy to reach controls, smooth shifter, and comfortable clutch action.

With service records, crisp cosmetics, and low mileage, this very desirable and well-kept monospecchio Testarossa offers exceptional performance in a stunning and uniquely designed car that will continually draw admirers for decades to come. Certainly among the most iconic cars of the 1980s, this car epitomizes the era wonderfully but in spite of its visually arresting design, it is easy to drive and feels durable. It comes with several years of service records, original books set including leather pouch, and jack bag with jack. Ready for drive and enjoy, this exciting Ferrari offers enthusiasts the captivating combination of ground-breaking design and legendary mid-engine 12 cylinder performance as only Ferrari can deliver.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608