A 1986 Ferrari Testarossa is set to cross the auction block through Mecum Glendale, offering collectors a well-preserved example of one of Ferrari’s most recognizable road cars of the 1980s. The vehicle is listed with just 19,400 miles showing on the odometer.
According to the auction listing, the car is one of the early production Testarossas, a configuration known for its distinctive single-side-mirror design. Mecum notes that only 1,497 of these early “Flying Mirror” cars were produced, making them one of the more recognizable variations among Testarossa models.
Early cars like this have developed a strong following among enthusiasts, in part because they capture the bold styling and analog driving character that defined Ferrari’s mid-engine grand touring machines of the era.
More details about the vehicle and auction listing can be found on the official Mecum lot page.
Early “Monospecchio” Example
The 1986 Ferrari Testarossa offered by Mecum is part of the early production run and is identified as a “Monospecchio” version. The term refers to the car’s unusual single exterior mirror mounted high on the driver’s side A-pillar.
Because of its elevated placement, the mirror is often referred to as a “Flying Mirror,” a distinctive styling detail that sets these early cars apart from later Testarossa production models. Mecum indicates that only 1,497 cars were produced with this configuration, making it a relatively small subset of the Testarossa’s overall production.
The design quickly became one of the most recognizable characteristics of early Testarossas. Ferrari later lowered the mirror position on subsequent production cars, making the Monospecchio configuration an easy identifier for collectors and enthusiasts today.
Mecum also states that information about auction lots is provided by consignors and is intended as advance information before the auction itself.
Flat-12 Engine and Five-Speed Transmission
Power for the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa comes from a 4.9-liter flat-12 engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The mid-engine layout places the engine behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle, a configuration long associated with Ferrari’s high-performance road cars.
The flat-12 design helped keep the car’s center of gravity low while delivering the kind of performance expected from Ferrari’s flagship models of the period. Combined with the five-speed manual gearbox, it represents the sort of analog driving experience many enthusiasts associate with performance cars of the 1980s.
The Testarossa’s wide body, dramatic side strakes, and mid-engine layout made it one of the defining Ferrari road cars of its generation. Mecum’s listing highlights the pairing of the 4.9-liter engine and manual transmission as key specifications for the vehicle being offered.
Auction Listing and Buyer Considerations
As with other vehicles offered by Mecum Auctions, the Testarossa listing provides advanced information for potential bidders. The company notes that photographs, descriptions, and other materials related to the vehicle are supplied by the consignor or seller and are considered reliable but not independently verified by the auction house.
Mecum also emphasizes that the final information presented on the auction block supersedes earlier listing descriptions. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect the vehicle in person before placing bids, which is standard practice in collector-car auctions.
The 1986 Ferrari Testarossa being offered by Mecum combines several characteristics collectors tend to look for: relatively low mileage, early-production details, and the distinctive Monospecchio mirror configuration.
As the car heads toward the auction block, it represents a snapshot of Ferrari’s mid-1980s performance engineering and design. Collectors following the Mecum event will likely be watching closely to see how the market responds to this early Testarossa.
The full listing and additional images are available on the vehicle’s Mecum auction page.