ALT-1 Automobile History Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari Testarossa is one of those pretty nice cars that everybody wants at least to drive but better to own. Luxurious, exotic, modern and very beautiful are the main characteristic features of this car designed by Pininfarina. Despite the exotic design and high price the cars were one of the most comment Ferrari models. In other words: people liked the car and wanted to have it.
The car that could be recognized on the road very easy because of the low, sharp front which swoops backwards over the highly finned doors. I think that I am right when I tell you that the Testarossa is like no other car. The huge fins built into the side doors are clearly visible from this angle. The very wide rear end is quite unique. The back of the car is very neatly designed and finished although it is expansive. The designer is Pininfarina, based in Torino, Italy. The Italian automobile manifacturer was Ferrari.
The car is known as the Testarossa meaning Redhead because of the red-painted engine cam-covers, which made a distinction from the less powerful engine models. The name Testarossa is given only to the most impressive of Ferrari models. Ferrari and Pininfarina often used descriptions of the female`s body to represent the style of their cars;"red" means "red-headed woman" in this case. But I think that "red" means "power" in this case.
The large slats in the doors serve as air intakes for the vast 12-cylinder engine. It is situated at the rear of the cockpit. The intake at the front keeps the front brakes ventilated.
In 1984 the car was introduced at the Paris Motor Show. It was upgraded to the 512TR (denoting 5-liter engine in a flat 12 configuration) from 1992 onwards. This configuration is very different from any of the previous Testarossa layouts, which tended to be straight fours orV12 format. There are twin camshafts per cylinder bank and 48 valves.
A Bosch Motoronic engine management system has the function to control the fuel injection and electronic ignition. The cabin of the Testarossa equips the driver with all the essentials. Three dials are positioned in front of the steering wheel encased in Conolly leather. The infamous gated gear lever is between the driver and the passenger seats. Ferrari supplies made-to-measure leather luggage. It is embellished with the prancing horse insignia, to fit snugly in the pointed front end of the car. The top speed of the car is 171 mph.
