The 1992 Ferrari 512 TR: A /DRIVE Film.

When a car looks and sounds as good as this, you don't need to talk. For those interested the music is available on iTunes:

[Coflat]

I have seen this video four or five times, and I still love it.

An 80's Ferrari, a white jacket, a Rolex, South of France...and British humor

It is for me one the best video of Chris Harris.

[WB_]

One of the most recognizable sportcar ever built.
you don't even need to be a car enthusiast to know thats a Ferrari.
The Ferrari Testarossa is as iconic as the Kalashnikov AK47 is in the world of firearms.
This car is a 20th century icon.
.

[TheCriticalAss]

I can't really find a more appropriate forum to tell my story than this, although probably noone is going to read it. But I have to get it out of my system. So let's begin.

I was around 6 years old. Year 1994. My father got a scholarship for phd-students (he was an assistant professor teaching informatics back then) in northern Italy. He got a little apartment in Gallarate, near Milan. He spent several months there, and we went to visit him with my mom and my little brother, who was 4 at the time. So he doesn't remember much, and neither do I, but still, I conserved the essence of the place. I'm Hungarian by the way. So imagine: a 6 years old boy, from Eastern Europe, where 4 years ago was still socialism. I've arrived to northern Italy, the richest region of the country with the best looking cars the world has ever seen.

 We went by car. An old, Czechoslovakian stallion, the Skoda 105S. You can imagine the faces of the Italians overtaking us in Alfas on the highway. They were laughing so bad. And we had to stop occasionally to refill the cooling system with water from the rice fields, because the summer heat wasn't very merciful with the rear-engined car - the radiator was placed in the front, a major design flaw -, we had to turn up the heat to the maximum, and only the front windows were able to lower. This function for the rear ones was an optional extra.

But nevertheless, we arrived, and although we were obviosly short on money (both of my parents were teachers back then. Imagine the average salary for an Eastern European high school teacher and an assistant professor...), we really enjoyed everything. One day, we've decided to visit Zürich in Switzerland. It was pretty close, so we went there by car. We parked it somewhere, and then we took a walk in the center. And there, between the old buildings, on a narrow street, a Ferrari 512 Testarossa turned into our direction. A red one, obviously. It was as wide as the street, we had to put our backs against the wall to let it pass. I really couldn't believe my eyes that something like that exists. Me, the little boy from the poor and undeveloped Eastern European country, where the streets are filled with Ladas, Skodas, Polski Fiats, two-stroke Trabants, occasionally a used Panda - so basically only shitty cars, and stopping to refill the cooling system with ricefield water is completely normal -, there I stand, and this magnificent, wide, flat, intimidatingly humming huge red beast goes by. I didn't have any base for comparison in my mind. The first time I saw a Ferrari in real life, and it was a 512 Testarossa.

I've never seen one ever since. But this movie really brings me back there, because without any words, it communicates the whole package, the clean message of what this car is about. I still have difficulties to put in words, and obviously back then I had nothing but the feeling that I'm seeing something from another galaxy, but here's what I have: this car made me a fanatic petrolhead. This very car kindled that huge fire in my soul what cars mean to me today. I've always thought that the Countach is a more outrageous car, and honestly, it is. But this one is just pure, pure '80-s beauty, and the definition of THE supercar to me. And the starting point of a fantastic journey I'm still going on.

 Whoever reads this, thank you for wasting your time on my stupid little detour on memory lane here. A little kid from Hungary approves :)

[kassenz]

The part I loved, is How Ferrari designed the perfect amount of space in the vehicle for crap, stuff, and crying kids.  None. 
No Power steering, no automatic transmission, No turbo lag, No outdated GPS NAV screen. Flat 12 with 48 valves singing to your manual analog control. cheers

[petej]

Passed a 512 today.. Reminded me to watch this fantastic video again.. One of your best Mr Harris!!

[StanGuru]

Chris Harris replicating a moment from the life of an 80's cocaine dealer

[horsepower]

Such an iconic machine. A beautiful red piece of art with a fantastic V12 sound. Love the 512 TR.

[TheSenna]

This is probably the best Chris Harris video.... Ever....

[laxbro]

THIS is what a super car should be. Manual gearbox, mid engined, naturally aspirated. None of this computer controlled non sense like we see now. Just a driver, 3 pedals, plenty of power and looks to kill. I'll miss cars like this

[tollytimepropulsion]

Chris really caught the moment with his best "Crockett" face and cotton wardrobe. If you're not from the 80's, you didn't get any of it. It was one of the best vintage car reviews ever and not a single word was spoken! The Testarossa mostly came in red, the side vent styling was outlandish, and it leaned real heavy in the corners. You had to know what you were doing with this car or you would find yourself wrapped around a tree. The gated shifter and camel interior! This was the ultimate statement! It was a legend (inside and out)! 
I love the Testarossa! All you haters can F-Off! This car was the first supercar you could actually drive around in town. You would need to drive early in the morning or late at night in warm climates. The air conditioning couldn't keep up on a hot day. This was the car that revolutionised the "supercar" breed!! 

[bossahmed]

The embodiment of the 1980s/90s! Absolutely love it.

[areasevenpro]

You can't drive a Testarossa without dressing up for the part.

[MattMaranMotoring]

So awesome! Love the cinematography in this one!

[Baby-ie]

I messed up big time. Here in San Diego,  several years ago in downtown at an historic car museum/dealership was selling a clean Testarossa in white (Totally "Miami Vice") that just had the $10k belt service done and only about 20k miles on it and they were selling it for $30k because they were cleaning house (it's a small place). I was going to buy it, but for some reason I backed out, and now they're going for like $100k+. Huge missed opportunity. This freakin' video had to remind me. Thanks Harris. Thanks.

[Beer_Dad]

I remember thinking the Testarossa was SO FAST back in the day. Funny here we are 22 years later and I now drive a family saloon that puts it to shame, at least in straight line and braking performance.  Gotta love progress!

[biggreensparkle]

Undoubtably one of the most stunning pieces of film I've seen in ages. Great camera work - that TR is schoolboy dream car stuff and sounded amazing

[vitocuti]

La magia ed il fascino delle linee di pininfarina rimarranno sempre nei nostri cuori. La mitica 512 testarossa è semplicemente stupenda! Solo un genio può dare forma ai sogni!
Oggi sempre più potenza e sempre meno emozioni...
L'uomo è diventato un accessorio della vettura, proprio per questo i valori autentici stanno scomparendo...
Un caro saluto dalla Sicilia e buon 2025!

[rosewood]

This is easily one of the best Ferrari driving videos out there. Thanks for sharing

[TheProductLife]

It is criminal how millions of people have not watched this masterpiece. If you know a petrolhead, please share this with them.

[SamSung-mwqt]

Great filming. I loved the testarossa growing up. It's one of the most beautiful things ever designed.