Automotive manual and museum magnate John Haynes owned a Ferrari Testarossa, the flat-12 (though not a true Boxer engine) mid-engined supercar with a colourful reputation that was produced by Ferrari between 1984 and 1991, though revised versions (the 512TR and F512M) took production to 1996. In fact, so did my editor’s father, so no pressure here, then.
Haynes thought journalists had got it wrong about his car and wasn’t afraid to say so. But with its 4.9-litre, 390bhp 48-valve 12 mounted over the gearbox giving a high centre of gravity at the back of the car, a 60 per cent rear weight bias and roll exacerbated by the soft rear suspension to preserve traction, the rear roll oversteer was so sharp it would cut you. I’ve road tested several and on track, never stopped reminding myself of that mantra, also adopted by early Porsche 911 owners: ‘don’t lift off. Don’t. Ever. Lift. Off.’
It’s a famous name for Ferrari, though, and who doesn’t love a fiery redhead? In the past this referred to the scarlet crackle finish on the cylinder heads. And it all started in 1955 with the four-cylinder engine, which powered the 500TR, but the name was also used by the 250 Testa Rossa (note, two words back then, not one) which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times.
