1994 Ferrari 512TR

On loan courtesy of Enthusiast Motorcar Group

The 512 Testarossa (TR) was introduced in 1992 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, proving to be and was effectively an evolution of the 512 BB introduced in 1984. The TR sought to address the qualms drivers had with the design and comfort of its predecessor. It did this with a somewhat larger machine cloaked in a body designed at Pininfarina under the steady creative hand of Leonardo Fioravanti, he chose to remedy these issues by designing a body that cloaked a somewhat larger machine.

Enzo Ferrari had been hesitant to introduce mid-engine road cars as he felt the typical mid-engine layout would be difficult for his customers to handle. But after the success of the mid-engine racing machines and the sales success of the Dino, the first mid-engine road model, the 365 GT4 BB was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1971. The 512 TR also moved from the traditional V-12 power plant to a 12 cylinder12-cylinder flat layout which had been previously pioneered and proven on the Formula 1 circuit. From this beginning the 512 BB and then 512 TR evolved. The machine is most easily identified by its “cheese grater” side strakes which, allowed for the radiators to be located near the engine. This and aided in cabin cooling, which had beenhad been a major customer complaint about the 512 BB. The machine also became a cultural icon of the when it was chosen by the producers of the TV series Miami Vice and by Sega’s video game Out Run, both in 1986. The model was a sales success for Ferrari S.p.A. with 9,939 produced. This again demonstrated that Ferrari racing experience could lead to new, innovative road machines that would meet withgarner public acclaim and significant sales numbers.