Inside This Coachbuilt DustBuster Lies A Ferrari Testarossa | Carscoops

      Leftfield Swiss designer Franco Sbarro’s custom Ferrari speedster, a standout at 1990s auto shows, is now available for purchase.

      This curvaceous speedster, based on a modified Testarossa, is being sold in Germany. The vehicle, originally a 1987 flat-12 Ferrari, was transformed by the renowned car builder Franco Sbarro. Although Sbarro created three editions, this particular model is the only one that has been road-registered.

      In the early 2020s, supercar speedsters gained immense popularity, with manufacturers like McLaren, Aston Martin, and Ferrari designing windshield-less two-seaters by reworking their existing, more practical models. However, one Ferrari owner anticipated this trend nearly 30 years prior, commissioning a project that resulted in the most outrageous Testarossa you've ever seen, which is now up for sale.

      While the Ferrari Testarossa, known for its sharp lines, boxy front, and defined hips, epitomized the 1980s, tastes shifted in the subsequent decade. A Testarossa owner sought to modernize the vehicle with the assistance of the innovative Swiss designer Franco Sbarro.

      A Boldly Reimagined Testarossa

      Sbarro and his team shortened the chassis and adorned the compact floorpan with sleek, modern bodywork, featuring scissors doors—something unheard of in Ferraris of that era. There’s no windshield, not even a minimal racing screen, but the car boasts rollover protection provided by distinctive large tubes that channel air from the headlight openings to the rear.

      Interestingly, the airflow seems to exit directly from the back of the car instead of being directed to the retained 4.9-liter flat-12 engine from the original Testarossa. This engine, which produced 385 hp (390 PS) when new, is paired with a five-speed manual transmission and features a traditional open-gate metal shift quadrant. Road and engine speeds are displayed on a stock gauge cluster repositioned to the center of the dashboard.

      Thiesen Berlin GmbH

      Displayed Once, Then Put Away

      Sbarro showcased the vehicle on the international stage in 1995, and even now, three decades later, it remains a striking visual—a work of beauty from some perspectives and awkward from others. The design incorporates elements reminiscent of McLaren along its sides and transparent doors, with the seats molded directly into the chassis, akin to many contemporary hypercars.

      According to Classic Driver, three units were created, but this is the singular example ever registered for road usage. It is now on the market in Germany, with the price available upon request. You can view the advertisement here.