1988 Ferrari Testarossa Coupé
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Registration no. F327 HAK
Chassis no. ZFFSA17S000078344

Ferrari's flagship model, the Testarossa supercar revived a famous name from the Italian company's past when it arrived in 1984. A 'next generation' Berlinetta Boxer, the Testarossa retained its predecessor's amidships-mounted, 5.0-litre, flat-12 engine, which now boasted a maximum power output raised to 380bhp at 6,300rpm courtesy of four-valve cylinder heads. Despite the power increase, smoothness and driveability were enhanced, the car possessing excellent top gear flexibility allied to a maximum speed of 180mph.

Rivalling Lamborghini's Countach for presence, the Pininfarina-designed Testarossa succeeded brilliantly, the gill slats feeding air to its side-mounted radiators being one of the modern era's most instantly recognisable – and copied - styling devices. A larger car than the 512BB - the increase in width being necessary to accommodate wider tyres - the Testarossa managed the trick of combining high downforce with a low coefficient of drag, its graceful body being notable for the absence of extraneous spoilers and other such devices. Despite the increase in size over the 512BB, the Testarossa was lighter than its predecessor, the body - its steel doors and roof excepted - being, somewhat unusually for a production Ferrari, of aluminium. Luxury touches in the well-equipped cabin included air conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, tilting steering wheel and plentiful leather.

Unlike some of its rivals, the Testarossa possessed light controls and was relatively easy to drive, factors which, allied to its outstanding performance and stunning looks, contributed to an instant and sustained high level of demand. In 1992 the original Testarossa was succeeded by the updated 512TR version, which came with 428bhp on tap, while ABS brakes were added to the package before the 512TR was replaced by what would be the Testarossa's final incarnation – the 512M – for 1995. For the first time there were major cosmetic changes: the original pop-up headlights being replaced by fixed lamps beneath clear covers, the grille size reduced, round tail lamps adopted and three-piece wheels fitted. Titanium connecting rods went into the engine, which produced marginally more power and torque than before.

This superb example of the legendary Italian supercar was supplied new to Switzerland in October 1988 and has spent virtually its whole life in that country, where maintenance standards and roadworthiness requirements are arguably higher than anywhere else. '78344' is said to be totally standard apart from a sports exhaust system that emits a spine-tingling howl. It has covered only some 71,400-or-so kilometres (circa 44,400 miles) from new and comes with comprehensive service history comprising the service booklet stamped by Swiss Ferrari specialists on nine occasions. The Ferrari was last serviced in January 2015 at 71,410 kilometres by Trident Cars of Great Bromley, Essex, which included a change of cam belts. Trident's invoice concludes with statement: 'This Testarossa is in exceptional condition and is one of the nicest we have seen.'

Finished in Rosso Corsa with tan leather interior, the latter retaining its original Blaupunkt stereo, the car comes with the aforementioned service history; a stamped book of emissions tests from 1999-2013; all its original handbooks; the original tool kit and two sets of keys. Said to be 'as clean as you could ever imagine a 25-year-old car to be', this beautiful and highly desirable motoring icon is offered with a V5C registration document and current MoT.