PROVENANCE
Elliot Giraud, Miami Beach, Florida (acquired new in 1996)
Leonard Vanderhave, Lake Worth, Florida (acquired in 1997)
Current Owner (acquired from the above)

THIS CAR
At the 1984 Paris Auto Show, the Pininfarina-designed Ferrari Testarossa shocked the motoring world with its sharp lines, wide stance, and distinctive side strakes. With a mid-mounted flat-12 engine coupled to a gated manual gearbox, the Testarossa also moved as quickly as its looks suggested, and with over 10,000 sold during its 1984–1996 production run, it became Ferrari’s best-selling 12-cylinder model to date.

For 1992, the Testarossa received its first major refresh. The updated 512 TR featured a painted one-piece front bumper; new headlights, grille, and 18" five-spoke alloy wheels brought the iconic 1980s design up-to-date. Inside, the car’s cabin benefited from new seating, controls, and a center console separated from the dashboard. Mechanically, the engine and transmission were moved forward for more optimal weight distribution, while a new Bosch engine management system, larger valves, and less restrictive exhaust resulted in better power delivery and performance.

Launched in 1994, the Ferrari F512 M – “M” standing for Modificata, Italian for “modified” – was the final evolution of the Testarossa. The exterior was reworked for improved aerodynamics, and featured fixed headlights, NACA ducts in the hood, and new modular wheels, among other styling updates. The 4.9-liter flat-12 used lightweight components to reduce weight and increase output to 440 hp, while comfort upgrades included ABS and an improved air-conditioning system. Production lasted two years with 501 examples built for worldwide consumption, making the F512 M the rarest Testarossa variant.

Finished in the quintessential Ferrari combination of Rosso Corsa over Beige, this particular F512 M is one of only 75 allocated for the US market, and was sold new through Shelton Sports Cars in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to its first owner Elliot Giraud of nearby Miami Beach in August 1996. Mr. Giraud did not keep the car very long. The F512 M was sold once again with 425 miles on the odometer through Shelton in February 1997 to Leonard Vanderhave of Lake Worth, Florida.

As the Ferrari had been driven sparingly in Mr. Vanderhave’s long-term ownership, the current owner recently commissioned marque specialist Milestone Motorcars of Boynton Beach, Florida, to perform a full engine-out belt service, with additional attention paid to the fuel and braking systems. At the time of cataloguing, this limited-production Testarossa had covered just 2,302 miles from new.

Accompanied by its books, tools, keys, original window sticker, and additional documentation, this car is as original as they come. A time capsule example with extremely low mileage, this last-of-the-line F512 M is unlikely to be duplicated, and suitable for any Ferrari collection.