1985 Ferrari Testarossa 'Monospecchio' Coupé
Registration no. C299 SRB
Chassis no. ZFFTA17C000059723

Ferrari's flagship model, the Testarossa supercar revived a famous name from the Italian company's past when it arrived in 1984. A 'next generation' Berlinetta Boxer, the Testarossa retained its predecessor's amidships-mounted, 5.0-litre, flat-12 engine, which now boasted a maximum power output raised to 380bhp at 6,300rpm courtesy of four-valve cylinder heads. Despite the power increase, smoothness and driveability were enhanced, the car possessing excellent top gear flexibility allied to a maximum speed of 180mph.

Rivalling Lamborghini's Countach for presence, the Pininfarina-designed Testarossa succeeded brilliantly, the gill slats feeding air to its side-mounted radiators being one of the modern era's most instantly recognisable – and copied - styling devices. A larger car than the 512BB - the increase in width being necessary to accommodate wider tyres - the Testarossa managed the trick of combining high downforce with a low coefficient of drag, its graceful body being notable for the absence of extraneous spoilers and other such devices. Despite the increase in size over the 512BB, the Testarossa was lighter than its predecessor, the body - its steel doors and roof excepted - being, somewhat unusually for a production Ferrari, of aluminium.

Luxury touches in the well-equipped cabin included air conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, tilting steering wheel and plentiful leather. Unlike some of its rivals, the Testarossa possessed light controls and was relatively easy to drive, factors which, allied to its outstanding performance and stunning looks, contributed to an instant and sustained high level of demand.

The desirable early car offered here represents the Testarossa in its original and purest form, with single external mirror (monospecchio) and single-nut (monodado) location for the five-spoke 16" alloy wheels. A rare right-hand drive model (the 21st imported into the UK), this example of the legendary Italian supercar comes with its original Warranty Card and Owner's Service Book issued to its first custodian Mr Nigel Burke of Suffolk. The book has been stamped six times by Ferrari agents, on the last occasion in 2000. Rosso Corsa maintained the Testarossa between 2000 and 2004, followed by H R Owen in 2005 (all invoices available).

Professionally stored from 2005 to 2019, the Ferrari was then re-commissioned and maintained by the vendor, with some £20,000 being spent with QV Ferrari in 2020 (all receipts on file). Finished in Rosso Corsa with cream leather and red carpets, this well documented car also comes with an old logbook, a V5C document, and fresh MoT.