1989 FERRARI TESTAROSSA Registration Number: G441 WPN Chass...

Estimate

£90,000 - £100,000

1989 FERRARI TESTAROSSA

Registration Number: G441 WPN
Chassis Number: ZFFAA17C000082817
Recorded Mileage: 21,000 miles

- Rare RHD example
- Recent full service and belts by Ferrari specialist

Ferrari’s flagship model of the 1980s, the Testarossa, revived a famous name from the Italian manufacturer’s past when it arrived in 1984. A car of abnormal design and performance, the new Testarossa was born to stupefy, as was clear from the day of its unveiling: instead of one of the traditional motor shows, Ferrari chose the stage of the famous Paris Lido nightclub for the new model’s launch. A ‘next generation’ Berlinetta Boxer, the Testarossa retained its predecessor’s amidships-mounted, 5.0-liter, flat-12 cylinder engine, which now boasted a maximum power output raised to 390bhp at 6,300rpm, courtesy of four-valve cylinder heads. Despite the power increase, smoothness and drivability were enhanced, the car possessing excellent top gear flexibility allowing for a maximum speed in excess of 180mph.

Rivaling Lamborghini’s Countach for presence, the Pininfarina-designed Testarossa succeeded brilliantly. Its side gill slats, which fed air to its side-mounted radiators, instantly became one of the modern era’s most recognizable styling devices. A larger car than the 512BB – the increase in width being necessary to accommodate wider tires – the Testarossa managed the trick of combining high downforce with a low co-efficient of drag, its body design being notable for the absence of extraneous spoilers and other devices. Luxury touches in the well-equipped cabin included air conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, tilting steering wheel and plentiful leather. Detail improvements were made regularly throughout the Testarossa’s seven-year production run, one of the first being the adoption of dual door mirrors. One of the most recognizable and iconic models from the Italian company, the Testarossa would grace many young car enthusiasts’ bedroom walls in poster form during the late 1980s.

This later rare RHD Testarossa was delivered when new to Singapore in October 1989, later returning to the UK in the mid 1990s, which is where the history picks up. In the last 15,000 miles the Ferrari has been serviced by specialists Mortimer and Houghton, Mike Reeder, Imperial Motors, and main dealer Graypaul. Later maintenance has been undertaken by performance car specialists Merc Spec and Chillingham Classics, with most recently a full fluids and belts service in September 2022 by Ferrari specialist SB Race Engineering of Aylesbury. Additionally we note the clutch was replaced in 2005 at around 18,000 miles, and in 2016 the fuel system was overhauled, since then the car has been stored and used lightly. Unfortunately in 2005 when being used for a wedding at the time, the then driver of the Testarossa misjudged an entrance to the venue and caused a scrape alongside one rear wing. This was rectified at the time with the correct documentation, but interested parties should note the car was subject to an insurance claim. The exterior presents well with we noticed only one or two minor blemishes, as does the interior, although the driver’s seat shows minor signs of wear which could be improved upon as the new owner sees fit.

Complete with its leather wallet, service and instruction books, recent and previous service bills dating back to the 1990s, rare supercar icon of the 1980s really merits closer inspection.