The Italian meaning also refers to a redhead, although the Ferrari was offered in other colours. The number 512 is a contraction of the engine displacement, which is 5-litres and the car's 12 cylinders. The Ferrari engineers used the letters 'TR' as an abbreviation of Testarossa.
The modern Testarossa was built from 1984 as a replacement for the Berlinetta Boxer. After a seven-year run, the model needed improvement and in 1991 the classic 512 TR was brought to market.
Although the car looked similar to its predecessor, the interior was redesigned with driver comfort as the main focus. The suspension was lowered with a resulting lowering in the centre of gravity, which further improved the handling.
CHANGES
Exterior changes were most visible on the nose and back of the car. The rounder flowing lines provided improved aerodynamics compared to older models.
The most impressive feature of the car is the engine. The 512 TR has the same 12 cylinder boxer engine with horizontally opposed pairs of cylinders moving side to side instead of up and down.
The four cam engine has four valves per cylinder. From 1991 to 1994 this engine was pumping out 490Nm at 4 500rpm and 291kW at 6 300rpm.
The top speed has been rated at 291km/h for the models built from 1991 through 1994. The sub-five second 0 to 100km time and a standing quarter-mile at 13,20sec not only made it one of the fastest cars of its time, but there is still not much that could beat it today.
The 512 TR was produced in small numbers - from 1991 to 1994, fewer than 2 300 were built. Compare this to its predecessor the Testarossa, which was built out to over 10 000 units. In 1992 a brand-new example would set you back $213 000. Today these Italian automobiles can be found in excellent condition for under $100 000.
FAMOUS APPEARANCES
Even if it looks familiar, this is not the Magnum PI Ferrari. TV's beloved private investigator drove a 1977 308 GTB, which had to be modified so the head of 6'4" Tom Selleck wouldn't show above the windshield. A 512 TR had a brief appearance in the movie Wolf of Wall Street and received plenty of air time in the third season of Miami Vice.
The Pininfarina-designed car was originally produced from 1984 to 1991, with two model revisions following the end of Testarossa production and the introduction of the 512 TR and F512 M, which were produced from 1992 to 1996. Almost 10 000 Testarossas, 512 TRs, and F512 Ms were produced, making it one of the most-produced Ferrari models, despite its high price and exotic design.
All versions of the Testarossa had the power fed through the wheels from a rear-mounted, five-speed manual transmission.
The original Testarossa was reengineered for 1992 and released as the 512 TR, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, effectively as a completely new car.
OTHER VERSIONS
The F512 M was introduced at the 1994 Paris Auto Show. The car dropped the 'TR' initials and added an 'M', which was the final version of the Testarossa.
The Testarossa was replaced in 1996 by the front-engined 550 Maranello coupé. The vehicle should not be confused with the Ferrari TR 'Testa Rossa' of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which were GT sports cars that ran in the World Sports Car Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
What matters most to Ferrari fanatics is the engine, but in this model driver comfort received more attention.
A classic from 1992 that will still make the heart race - Ferrari's Testarosso in all its glory.
(Source: Wikipedia)
