Is This Custom Ferrari The Most Ambitious Gas Monkey Garage Project Ever?

Unashamedly, I’m a Richard Rawlings fan boy. The Gas Monkey Garage owner is a ‘love him or hate him’ character, but his beer-swilling, money-slinging antics captivate me and I’m firmly of the belief that if he annoys you, it’s probably because you wish you were flipping American muscle cars and living his wild life instead! 

He often speaks of his humble beginnings, making money building Ford hot rods and iconic American pick ups, but as the GMG empire has continued to grow the builds have scaled up too. 

His latest build, debuted at SEMA last week, is a white Ferrari Testarossa which has been extensively modified, leaving much of it’s classic Ferrari heritage on the workshop floor. 

It’s been modified to a central seating location and the original Enzo benzene burner has been ditched for a full EV drivetrain, complemented by a futuristic styling package that seems at odds with the Ferrari’s classic lines.

Rawlings famously bought five Ferrari Testarossas earlier this year as part of a package deal and had them shipped back to his Texas workshop from Ireland, where the cars had been used as movie props. They were in varying states of repair - some needing only minor repairs before they could be flipped to recoup his purchase price, but others like the one that would eventually be built in to the GMG ‘Testa’ were more rundown, making it a great candidate to be transformed in to a SEMA talking piece. 

More than just a quick tart up and an EV conversion, the Testa features whopping Brembo brakes, Bilstein suspension, Vossen wheels and Continental tyres, and amazingly retains the Testarossa’s original weight distribution.

Ferrari Testarossa: A Timeless Classic

The Ferrari Testarossa is an iconic sports car that was produced from 1984 to 1996. It is known for its sleek design, powerful engine, and distinctive side strakes.

Design

The Testarossa was designed by Pininfarina, and it features a wedge-shaped body with a low, wide stance. The car's most striking feature is its side strakes, which are designed to channel air over the rear wheels and improve aerodynamic efficiency. The Testarossa also has a large rear spoiler, which helps to keep the car stable at high speeds.

Engine

The Testarossa is powered by a 4.9-liter flat-12 engine that produces 385 horsepower. The engine is mounted in the rear of the car, and it drives the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. The Testarossa can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, and it has a top speed of 180 mph.

Interior

The Testarossa's interior is luxurious and well-appointed. The car has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a center console with a variety of controls, and a digital instrument cluster. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and there is plenty of room for two adults.

Production

The Testarossa was produced for 12 years, and a total of 7,177 cars were built. The car was available in a variety of colors, including red, black, white, and yellow. The Testarossa was a popular car among celebrities and wealthy individuals, and it is still considered to be one of the most iconic Ferraris ever made.

Legacy

The Testarossa is a timeless classic that is still admired by car enthusiasts today. The car's sleek design, powerful engine, and distinctive side strakes make it a true icon of the 1980s. The Testarossa is a reminder of a time when Ferrari was at the forefront of automotive design and engineering.

The Ferrari Testarossa is a legendary sports car that is still loved by car enthusiasts today. The car's sleek design, powerful engine, and distinctive side strakes make it a true classic. The Testarossa is a reminder of a time when Ferrari was at the forefront of automotive design and engineering.

First published 06/11/2023. Updated article includes far more about the original design.