This 1993 512 TR was purchased new by NFL player and current ESPN show host Shannon Sharpe who purchased this car early in his career to match the example Michael Jordan was famous for driving during the Chicago Bulls’s legendary 1992 NBA season. Under 3 the care of 3 owners since, the car is finished in Black over Black and is in remarkable condition, showing just 20,297 miles at the time of cataloging. Upon the consignor’s acquisition in 2023, he went to great lengths to keep the car in the immaculate condition he purchased it. To do this, he had a professional paint correction carried out, which was then covered in a full-body STEK clear paint protection film. He also sourced a NOS windshield from Ferrari which was installed and then also covered in clear glass protection film to keep the pitting and chips away. The 512 TR’s signature 5-spoke wheels are wrapped in a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, and the car is ready to be driven and enjoyed.
The black leather interior presents outstandingly well, with little wear evident anywhere. One of the major changes carried out with the 512 TR is an entirely revised interior over the Testarossa that is both more comfortable and more user-friendly. Gone is the elongated center stack that housed a trio of illegible gauges- those are now clearly visible and reside in a small horizontal pod directly below the HVAC vents. Where the console was is now open which gives the cabin a much more open, airy feel inside and grants the occupants more room for their knees. The angular seats from the Testarossa are gone and in their place, a comfortable set of sports seats with real bolstering and a headrest that you can actually use. The only other modification carried out on this 512 TR was the addition of period-correct looking Blaupunkt Bremen, which is paired with an Audison AP5.9 bit 5-channel amplifier.
Powering the 512 TR is a heavily updated version of the Testarossa’s Flat-12 engine which featured a new air-intake system, state-of-the-art Bosch engine management, larger valves and an improved exhaust system. Additionally, the compression ratio went up from 9.2:1 to 10.0:1 which resulted in more power throughout the rev-range and peak power of 422 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. Ferrari claimed a top speed of over 195 mph on the 512 TR and a reported 0-100 kph time of just 4.8 seconds. After listening to complaints lodged against the Testarossa’s baulky shifter, the 512 TR also received a new single plate clutch, as well as a better angle on the shift lever itself. All of these changes are important and improved the 512 TR significantly but the single largest change carried out was, through clever engineering, Ferrari was able to place the engine and gearbox unit lower in the car, which brought the center of gravity down significantly. This meant that many of the spiky handling characteristics the Testarossa exhibited at speed, were significantly reduced. The consignor purchased this car while it was mid-service at GrandPrix Motors in Campbell, CA.
With fewer than 2,270 512 TRs produced between 1991 and 1994, finding a black/black example in this condition is a rarity. Given this car’s history of loving owners and open checkbook maintenance history over the past few owners, this car is dialed in and ready to be enjoyed.
