Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa headed to auction
Thu, Jul 9 2015
The story behind the Ferraris on Miami Vice is just as entertaining as the show. For the first two seasons, Don Johnson's Sonny Crockett drove a black Daytona Spyder, but in reality it was a C3 Corvette underneath. Ferrari reportedly threatened to sue the replica maker, and a compromise was worked out to cease production in exchange for two Testarossas. Originally black, they were repainted in white to pop better in night scenes. Mecum's example is part of that duo.
Beyond the TV connection, this Testarossa is one of the early examples with the side mirror on a stalk that's perched high on the A-pillar. It still packs a 4.9-liter, 390-horsepower flat-12 engine paired with a five-speed, gated manual gearbox with a recent $8,000-engine-out service. Inside, there's cream leather and even a car phone that's period correct. This example is quoted with just 16,124 miles and authentication by Ferrari North America and Ferrari Classiche.
Late last year, another white Testarossa showed up on eBay claiming to be one of the Miami Vice hero cars. The seller was asking for a $1.75-million Buy-It-Now for that one. It will be interesting to see how Mecum's Ferrari performs on the auction block in Monterey.
"MIAMI VICE" HERO CAR SPEEDS INTO MECUM AUCTIONS MONTEREY 2015
Iconic 1986 Ferrari Testarossa to be offered at The Mecum Daytime Auction Aug. 15
WALWORTH, Wis. – July 7, 2015 – The star of the '80s-era television series "Miami Vice" is coming to the Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey this Aug. 13-15. No, not Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs—the flashy detectives played by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas who fought episode-after-episode against the seedy underworld of Miami—but their 1986 Ferrari Testarossa. This iconic supercar with its signature side strakes was one of the quintessential poster cars that found itself plastered on many a teenager's bedroom wall in the 1980s, and it will now be offered for sale at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa – Del Monte Golf Course this Aug. 15.
It was rumored that Enzo Ferrari himself proposed that the Ferrari factory could supply two black Testarossas for use on the show. From that day forward, it was this Testarossa that became the show's signature car. The only significant change came when the Ferrari was repainted white at the behest of Director Michael Mann for better visibility in night scenes. This Testarossa quickly moved into cult status along with other series props such as Ray Ban sunglasses, Armani jackets, Scarab speedboats and enough firearms for a small army.
The Testarossa sports a 4.9 liter, 390-horsepower flat-12 engine, a traditional five-speed manual gated shifter, beige leather, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control and air conditioning. After "Miami Vice" ended its series run in 1989 the car was placed into storage until earlier this year.
Now showing 16,124 miles and authenticated by both Ferrari North America and Ferrari Classiche, with documented service records from Shelton Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this exotic recently received an engine-out service at a cost of $8,000. The sun may have set on Crockett and Tubbs, but the "Miami Vice" Testarossa remains an enduring icon.
To view the "Miami Vice" Ferrari Testarossa or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com. Bidder registration is $100 and can be completed in advance online or on-site at the auction. The Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey is open to buyers, sellers and spectators with general admission tickets available at the gate for $25; children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. Portions of the auction will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network with a stream of the entire event presented on Mecum's website. For more details on the auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum auctions, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
About Mecum Auctions
Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car, vintage and antique motorcycle, and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 28 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum's social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
Schedule:
The Daytime Auction – Mecum Monterey 2015
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa
Del Monte Golf Course
1 Old Golf Course Rd.
Monterey, CA 93940
August 13-15, 2015
Admission: $25 per person, per day; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission
Preview: Gates open daily at 8 a.m.
Auction: Vehicles begin Thursday at 10 a.m. and Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m.; Road Art will be offered daily 30 minutes prior to the vehicles
TV Broadcast Schedule: TBD
(All times Pacific)
# # #
Iconic 1986 Ferrari Testarossa to be offered at The Mecum Daytime Auction Aug. 15
WALWORTH, Wis. – July 7, 2015 – The star of the '80s-era television series "Miami Vice" is coming to the Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey this Aug. 13-15. No, not Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs—the flashy detectives played by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas who fought episode-after-episode against the seedy underworld of Miami—but their 1986 Ferrari Testarossa. This iconic supercar with its signature side strakes was one of the quintessential poster cars that found itself plastered on many a teenager's bedroom wall in the 1980s, and it will now be offered for sale at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa – Del Monte Golf Course this Aug. 15.
It was rumored that Enzo Ferrari himself proposed that the Ferrari factory could supply two black Testarossas for use on the show. From that day forward, it was this Testarossa that became the show's signature car. The only significant change came when the Ferrari was repainted white at the behest of Director Michael Mann for better visibility in night scenes. This Testarossa quickly moved into cult status along with other series props such as Ray Ban sunglasses, Armani jackets, Scarab speedboats and enough firearms for a small army.
The Testarossa sports a 4.9 liter, 390-horsepower flat-12 engine, a traditional five-speed manual gated shifter, beige leather, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control and air conditioning. After "Miami Vice" ended its series run in 1989 the car was placed into storage until earlier this year.
Now showing 16,124 miles and authenticated by both Ferrari North America and Ferrari Classiche, with documented service records from Shelton Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this exotic recently received an engine-out service at a cost of $8,000. The sun may have set on Crockett and Tubbs, but the "Miami Vice" Testarossa remains an enduring icon.
To view the "Miami Vice" Ferrari Testarossa or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com. Bidder registration is $100 and can be completed in advance online or on-site at the auction. The Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey is open to buyers, sellers and spectators with general admission tickets available at the gate for $25; children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. Portions of the auction will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network with a stream of the entire event presented on Mecum's website. For more details on the auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum auctions, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
About Mecum Auctions
Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car, vintage and antique motorcycle, and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 28 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum's social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
Schedule:
The Daytime Auction – Mecum Monterey 2015
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa
Del Monte Golf Course
1 Old Golf Course Rd.
Monterey, CA 93940
August 13-15, 2015
Admission: $25 per person, per day; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission
Preview: Gates open daily at 8 a.m.
Auction: Vehicles begin Thursday at 10 a.m. and Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m.; Road Art will be offered daily 30 minutes prior to the vehicles
TV Broadcast Schedule: TBD
(All times Pacific)
# # #
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