
The name Ferrari has always been associated with performance and style. In October 1984, at the Paris Salon, the Testarossa created a sensation and was considered to be perhaps the ultimate GT car for road use. The name, of course, was derived from the earlier Testa Rossa roadsters (which in English refers to the red-topped cylinder heads). From the 250 Testa Rossa was developed the three-liter V12, and this engine dominated the World Championship of Makes for three seasons, beaten only by Aston Martin in 1959, and the 250 GTO in 1962, because of the new regulations. (The GTO engine also being derived from the Testa Rossa.)
The modern Testarossa was the replacement for the BB series which had run for twelve years. The twelve cylinder Boxer engine had been redesigned and retained only the engine displacement of its predecessor. The engine was some 20 kg lighter than that of the 512 BBi and, with the new four-valve-head engine, performance was increased in...
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Keith Martin on Collecting Ferrari $19.95 |
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The Ultimate Ferrari Bundle $29.95 |
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Keith Martin's Buyer's Guide: Ferrari 308 1978-85 $8.95 |