Photo: Mecum Auctions
There are plenty of things that remind us of the police detective drama, whether we’re talking about the white trousers, Armani sunglasses or Jan Hammer’s music. None of these will tickle our nostalgia trigger up to the point of no return like the smooth, white Ferrari Testarossa Sonny and Ricardo hit the road in Miami every day.
“The first show to look really new and different since color TV was invented.” That’s how People magazine called the television crime drama series. It was a trendsetter alright, and some folks out there still dress, act, and drive like the two Miami-Dade Police Department detectives.
What probably made it famous was the fact it was different than all the other series running on the telly. Unlike standard police procedurals, the show drew heavily upon 1980s New Wave culture and music. And if there’s anything more symbolic of the feeling, the Ferrari in question clearly is. Sure, the story behind it is quite complicated, but it’s a dream come true for any collector out there, and Mecum Auctions has it.
As you may remember, once the show gained popularity, Ferrari sued the producers because they were not using actual Prancing Horses. During the fist two seasons and two episodes of the third season, Detective Sonny Crockett drove a black 1972 Ferrari Dayton Spyder 365 GTS/4. The problem is the Italian exotic was not that exotic after all since it was, in fact, a kit replica based on a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 chassis.
The one in question originally was finished in Metallic Black but later repainted in White at the behest of director Michael Mann for better visibility in night scenes. This early mono Specchio or single-mirror model Testarossa was delivered with the 4.9-liter, 390 horsepower flat-engine, working through a 5-speed gearbox. Other features include the Beige leather interior, power windows, locks and seats, and cruise control and air conditioning.
When the television series ended, the exotic car was retired and placed in storage from 1990 to 2015. There was, however, a recent engine-out service at a cost of $8,000. The Miami Vice hero car will go under the hammer at Mecum Auctions’ Monterey sale, August 13-15.
What probably made it famous was the fact it was different than all the other series running on the telly. Unlike standard police procedurals, the show drew heavily upon 1980s New Wave culture and music. And if there’s anything more symbolic of the feeling, the Ferrari in question clearly is. Sure, the story behind it is quite complicated, but it’s a dream come true for any collector out there, and Mecum Auctions has it.
As you may remember, once the show gained popularity, Ferrari sued the producers because they were not using actual Prancing Horses. During the fist two seasons and two episodes of the third season, Detective Sonny Crockett drove a black 1972 Ferrari Dayton Spyder 365 GTS/4. The problem is the Italian exotic was not that exotic after all since it was, in fact, a kit replica based on a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 chassis.
The Ferrari-kit replica went boom after the Italians sued the series producers
The car was fitted with Ferrari-shaped body panels by car manufacturer McBurnie Coachcraft. As a result of Ferrari’s letter of desisting, the car was blown to pieces in the season three premiere episode. The fake Ferraris were removed from the show, with the Italian automaker donating two brand new 1986 Testarossas as replacements.The one in question originally was finished in Metallic Black but later repainted in White at the behest of director Michael Mann for better visibility in night scenes. This early mono Specchio or single-mirror model Testarossa was delivered with the 4.9-liter, 390 horsepower flat-engine, working through a 5-speed gearbox. Other features include the Beige leather interior, power windows, locks and seats, and cruise control and air conditioning.
When the television series ended, the exotic car was retired and placed in storage from 1990 to 2015. There was, however, a recent engine-out service at a cost of $8,000. The Miami Vice hero car will go under the hammer at Mecum Auctions’ Monterey sale, August 13-15.
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