The Testarossa was a two-door coupe with a rear-mounted, five-speed manual transmission which added to the drama of driving this exotic Italian vehicle, a stunning piece of Italian ingenuity with great agility thanks to its aerodynamic shape.

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The car’s rear mid-engine design – with the engine between the axles but behind the cabin – kept the center of gravity in the middle of the car, increasing stability and improving the car’s terrific cornering ability. The Ferrari Testarossa had a 4.9 liter longitudinally-mounted, 180-degree flat-12 engine.

The low-slung wedge profile of the two-door coupé – along with its slatted side panels that push air towards the mid-mounted 12-cylinder engine – made for an instantly recognizable shape.

One of the distinct design cues of the Testarossa was its unique side strakes. The slits were added to comply with American laws that state huge side intakes should not be left open as they could pose a safety threat.

Oh, and what was the meaning of that ‘Monospecchio’ tag? Sounds so sexy, that Italian word, doesn’t it? But in English it doesn’t have quite the same resonance: ‘single mirror’ is the translation – ‘flying mirror’, as it was more glamorously known. And in fact it is the consequence of a misunderstanding of a supposed European regulation that appeared to demand that drivers would have a completely unhindered rear view. This turned out to be not the case. Yet the earliest Testarossas are distinguished by that single, protruding mirror mounted high on the A-pillar. Once it was revealed that the ‘flying mirror’ configuration was not, in fact, required by law, Ferrari reverted to the more conventional location of the lower A-pillar – meaning only around 1,000 ‘monospecchios’ were produced, 300 or so exported into the United States.

The Ferrari Testarossa was a car that could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just over five seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph. Is it any wonder that it was beloved of innumerable high-end celebrities? Well-known Testarossa owners included Elton John, Marti Pellow, Alain Delon, O. J. Simpson, Rod Stewart, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, John Carmack, Dr. Dre, M.C. Hammer, Austrian Formula One racing driver Gerhard Berger, and Gary Monsieur.

Don Johnson, who famously drove a white Testarossa in the groundbreaking Miami Vice shows, was gifted a brand-new silver 1989 Testarossa by Enzo Ferrari himself, who was a fan of  the TV show Miami Vice. Michael Mann, executive producer of the series, also had a custom painted, blue metallic Testarossa. In the second half of the 1980s the Testarossa was virtually a character in the fabulous Miami Vice series, currently available on Amazon Prime.

The plot of the influential shows involved a pair of undercover cops, played by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. To personify flashy, drug-dealing 1980s Miami, the Johnson character drove that white Ferrari Testarossa, often at very high speeds. The iconic TV show played an integral part in the success of Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar.

And such a car is what we have at Beverly Hills Car Club, a highly desirable flying mirror 1985 Ferrari Testarossa ‘Monospecchio’ featured with 81,693 miles on the odometer and finished in Rosso Corsa combined with a tan interior.

This legendary supercar, with its striking, transcendental 1980s Pininfarina design, is a true automotive masterpiece that continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike.


Conveniences features include air conditioning, power mirrors, Blaupunkt radio, sun visors, door pockets, center console, and a glove compartment with a pop-out vanity mirror.


In addition to its timeless design and thrilling performance, this Testarossa boasts a comprehensive service history, with receipt copies totaling over $51,000 invested into the vehicle. From August 1991 through March 2024, meticulous care and maintenance have been invested on this Ferrari Testarossa, ensuring that it remains in optimal condition for years to come. This example also comes with a clean CARFAX report, ensuring peace of mind for the discerning buyer. Italian sports cars are constantly rising in value, and this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a ‘Monospecchio’ Flying-Mirror Testarossa that is mechanically sound.

Alas as is sometimes the case, the Monospecchio has sold between our writing and publication. Don’t forget to sign up for inventory email alerts so you don’t miss out on our next amazing Ferrari!

-Alex Manos, Owner