A True Red Head Remembered...
In 1984 at the Paris Motor Show the
Ferrari Testarossa is unveiled to the world. The name Testarossa
means “Red Head” which seemed to fit perfect as Red would become
the color it would be synonymous with.
Succumbing to an immediate overwhelming
reaction the Testarossa was an instant smashing success. Initially it
was intended as a replacement for the Ferrari BB 512i but it quickly
grew into a class of its own. As orders for the “new” Ferrari
skyrocketed throughout its initial year. The car only became more and
more popular. Making appearances one the front on most major
automobile magazines and even a few cameos on TV. Seen as an
immediate upgrade on anything before Ferrari had hit the nail on the
head with this Red Head. Very seldom does a car generate as much
attention as the Testarossa did in its first few years of production.
It was ultimately the 1980's “car to have”.
With a top speed of 195 mile per hour
Testarossa owners basically had a street-legal race-car on their hands.
Ferrari it seems thought about second place for a while and didn't
like it. So to avoid that altogether the Testarossa was stuffed with
Ferrari's famed “Flat 12 TR Grand Prix engine. Even though
introduced back in 1964 the Flat 12 was capable of exceptional
performance. It produced a mid blowing 390 bhp with an unheard of
torque output of 360 ft-lbs. Heavily influenced by racing, the Flat
12 had 6 Cylinders strapped to each side with 4 Valves per cylinder!
Based on a Dry-Sump system. As everyone would find out the car was
fast in it the mile was only 38 seconds away. One of the most
distinguishing characteristics about the engine was its sound. All
12-Cylinders seems to roar in unisome creating a beautiful symphonic
sound of pure mechanical power.
Considered by many as the perfect
sports car the Testarossa was complete. It had styling, power, design
all seamlessly integrated. Each year it was in production Ferrari
continued to make improvements upgrade technology and of course add
power. Ironically the last year the Testarossa was produced 1995 many
would say was the best Testarossa of them all! Power was revved up to
an incredible 440 bhp and the breaks were beefed up as well.
Production on the Testarossa ended in 1996 with only 500 being
produced from 1994-1996. The official successor the Testarossa was
named as the Maranello 550. But as we all know the Testarossa will
never truly be replaced...only remembered.
