Like it or not, the Testarossa is associated with Miami Vice and a decade that was far from the epitome of good taste.
This doesn’t make it a bad car – in fact, it is one of the archetypal Ferraris and the last twelve-cylinder to have a mid-engined layout after Maranello switched to V12s placed at the front from the 550 onward.
For those interested, a pristine example will soon go under the hammer.
This Testarossa had just two owners throughout its lifetime, and the first one was none other than Luigi Della Grotta, the man who convinced Enzo Ferrari to sell his cars in Canada. After many failed attempts, his persistence paid off and Il Commendatore gave the green light.
The supercar was ordered through Della Grotta’s own dealership and was retained as his personal car, participating in various events and shows with the Luigi Ferrari Club and, later on, the Club Ferrari Quebec. It was seen on display in his dealerships and, somehow, remained unregistered from the time it was purchased until its he passed away in 2012.
Its current owner purchased it from Della Grotta’s estate. He then made sure it had an oil change, a new battery and fuel filter. He then turned it over to Monaco Prestige for a major service in March 2015. Its engine was removed and it had its timing belts, seals, valve-cover gaskets, O-rings, shocks and brakes replaced.
Receipts from the services were kept and, for the first time ever, the car was registered for the road. However, it was driven for approximately 1,000km (600 miles) and the clock now shows just 4,900km (3,045 miles).
It’s estimated that this 1991 Testarossa will fetch anywhere between $200,000 and $250,000 when it will be auctioned in Arizona by RM Sotheby’s on January 28-29. It comes with its original books, took kit, jack and, of course, the aforementioned receipts.
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