1990 Ferrari Testarossa

Chassis No. ZFFSG17A7L0083991

Few cars have personified a point in time the way the Ferrari Testarossa perfectly captured the excess of the 1980s. Its glorious, deeply-recessed side intakes, menacing louvered rear end, and outrageously wide stance were the work of Leonardo Fioravanti, whose brief was to create a radical yet refined successor to the 365 GT4 BB. Unlike the Boxer which was not sold new in the United States, the Testarossa was conceived as a world-market car from the outset and was therefore designed to be a well-rounded and overall more livable supercar. Development began with an overhaul of its predecessor's longitudinally-mounted 4.9-liter flat-12 engine and radiator hosing, which now pumped out a production car record 380-horsepower while alleviating the hot cabin conditions of the Boxer. Inside, Connolly Autolux leather trimmed the spacious, ergonomic interior which featured air conditioning as standard. The biggest step over its predecessor and the competing Lamborghini Countach was its slippery shape which did without a rear spoiler and sported a sculpted aerodynamic front end. Wide, light-alloy five-spoke wheels completed this potent package and made room for large ventilated servo-assisted disc brakes.

Continuous improvements in the years following its release saw the revision of the suspension, steering column, shocks, and brakes to accommodate new five-bolt wheels for 1988, as well as the introduction of more modern KE-Jetronic fuel injection in 1989. This desirable late-production Testarossa, chassis number 83991, comes from the penultimate model year of the original Testarossa prior to the introduction of the facelifted 512TR in 1992. As such, it benefits from numerous technical and ergonomic upgrades while retaining the unaltered Fioravanti-penned design. Built in January 1990, 83991 is a left-hand drive, US-market example originally finished as it presents today wearing Nero paintwork over Beige Connolly leather and was delivered new to Fred Willis Motors, Tucson, Arizona. The original window sticker and trade-in paperwork on file show that the first owner traded in a 1970 Dino 246 GT and a 1983 Porsche 911 SC in exchange for the Testarossa, priced at $275,000 and indicating 103 miles at the time of the transfer. An accompanying portfolio of service invoices chronicles regular maintenance, including three engine-out services, and modest use over the next three-plus decades.

Prior to being acquired by only its second owner in 2022, the Ferrari underwent its third and most recent engine-out service at Autohaus Tucson, Tucson, Arizona in July 2022. The work performed included replacing the engine belts, clutch, fuel pump, fuel hoses, and the electro-hydraulic actuator valve, resealing the intermediate housing and water pump, adjusting the valve and cam timing, recharging the A/C, and a full fluid flush. Further sorting and a full list of parts are detailed in an accompanying invoice exceeding $25,000. In November 2022, the car was also treated to an exhaustive three-week paint correction conducted by C2 Design, Tampa, Florida to restore the original Nero paintwork to its current deep shine. The result is one of the finest and best-prepared Testarossas offered for sale in recent memory, showing only 7,717 miles on its Veglia Borletti odometer at the time of cataloging. The car's iconic coachwork has been exceptionally well-preserved, complemented by the near-flawless finish and a correct set of unscuffed five-spoke alloy wheels. Equally remarkable is the condition of the Beige leather hides, three-spoke MOMO steering wheel, and interior switches. Overall, the appearance and presentation of 83991 is indicative of the meticulous care furnished by its original owner for nearly 32 years. Having been an Arizona car from new, it likely has never seen inclement weather!

Offered with a tool roll, jack, auxiliary service light, three keys, owner's manuals, and extensive original documentation including its window sticker, trade-in purchase documents, and service records from new, this late-production Ferrari Testarossa represents an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the finest examples of a legendary supercar that defined an era.