Ferrari Testarossa History
The straked, wide-hipped Testarossa defined 1980s supercar style and became a cultural icon through Miami Vice — nearly 10,000 built across three variants.
Photo: “Paris - RM auctions - 20150204 - Ferrari Testarossa - 1989 - 008” by Thesupermat / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
History
The Ferrari Testarossa (Italian: 'red head', referring to its red cam covers — a nod to the 1950s Testa Rossa racer) premiered at the 1984 Paris Motor Show to replace the Berlinetta Boxer. Pininfarina's design — most recognisably featuring the broad side strakes channelling air to the rear-mounted radiators — gave the Testarossa an instantly recognisable silhouette that defined supercar aesthetics for the decade.
The flat-12 engine produced 390 hp in original form, rising to 428 hp in the 512 TR (1992) and 440 hp in the F512 M (1994). The car's appearance in the TV series Miami Vice from 1986 onward (replacing the Daytona replica previously used) made it perhaps the single most culturally visible Ferrari of the 1980s.
Across all three production variants — Testarossa, 512 TR, and F512 M — almost 10,000 cars were built, an unusually large production run for a Ferrari of its era and a testament to the relentless demand the Testarossa's image created.
Generations
Testarossa
Photo: “Paris - RM auctions - 20150204 - Ferrari Testarossa - 1989 - 008” by Thesupermat / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Original Pininfarina design; 4.9-litre flat-12 producing 390 hp; ~7,177 built.
1986 Photo: “Ferrari Testarossa Miami Vice (15443066319)” by Marty B from United States of America / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1987 Photo: “Ferrari Testarossa 03” by Arnaud 25 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1989 Photo: “Paris - RM Sotheby's 2016 - Ferrari Testarossa - 1989 - 106” by Thesupermat / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
512 TR
Revised chassis, 428 hp; updated nose and cabin; ~2,261 built.
F512 M
Final evolution: pop-up headlights replaced by fixed units, 440 hp; ~501 built.
Body styles
- Coupé
Notable special editions & performance variants
512 TR
Major update with 428 hp and revised aerodynamics; ~2,261 built.
F512 M
Final Testarossa variant; fixed headlights, 440 hp; ~501 built.
Related models
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