Vehicle Description
Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1996 Ferrari 512M.
Finished in the classic shade of Rosso Corsa, the 512M was the
final iteration of the Testarossa (and the rarest - indeed, only
501 were built worldwide from 1994 to 1996). This example was sold
new in Italy, stolen while parked on the street in Milan in 1997,
spirited away to Japan, then re-emerged no worse for the wear in
Europe nearly two decades later. The original owner's insurance
paid out at the time and there are no valid theft claims presently
outstanding.
Formula Automobile in Lyngby (just outside Copenhagen), the
official Ferrari dealer in Denmark, has known and serviced this car
since 2014 (it was continuously registered and driven in Denmark
from 2014 until 2022). The same Ferrari dealer sold this car to our
European partner, Passion for Classics, in Belgium, and we
subsequently imported it to the US in 2023. The most recent major
engine-out belt service was completed by the Ferrari dealer in 2022
while the car was still in Denmark.
Condition is excellent both inside and out - paint is gorgeous;
pristine OEM Speedline 18-inch wheels are wearing nearly new
Michelins. The interior, finished in black leather, presents
beautifully - gauges and switches work perfectly and the A/C has
been serviced and is blowing ice cold. Note that the glove box
internals were modified under prior ownership to accommodate either
a toll collection device, stereo component or some other
long-since-removed electronic gizmo and the dash has been partially
recovered.
The 4.9-liter flat-12 engine sounds glorious thanks to an
aftermarket Kreissieg F1 exhaust (drivetrain is otherwise stock,
and the original factory exhaust is included with the sale).
Five-speed manual transmission with gated shifter operates smoothly
with no crunchy synchros. Conservatively rated at 440 horsepower,
on paper the 512M only makes 12 more hp than the 512TR - but thanks
to a lightened crankshaft, titanium alloy connecting rods, revised
pistons, and a higher compression ratio, the "seat of the pants"
driving experience is simply breathtaking. Make no mistake, this is
a car that likes to rev and is one of the few out of the hundreds
of sports cars I have driven that gives me chills. Having driven
dozens of Testarossas we can attest that this feels like a
low-mileage car. The odometer is showing 32,360 kilometers which
translates to just over 20,000 miles. We then consigned it to Broad
Arrow's Monterey sale later that summer - only to discover the
aforementioned theft history just days before that auction. We
subsequently learned that Formula Automobile, the official Ferrari
dealer in Denmark, was aware of this history and also a "red dot"
in the Ferrari MODIS system, but did not disclose this information
to us. It was offered again on Pcarmarket, and has been the subject
of much discussion on Ferrarichat. After considerable research and
many phone calls and emails with Ferrari in Italy, the block has
been removed from MODIS making this car eligible for service at any
Ferrari dealer.
Sold on a clean and clear Georgia title in Motorcar Studio's name;
included with the sale are all accompanying import documentation
(plus copies of the previous Danish registration), factory tools,
reproduction owner's books, and dealer service records from the
last decade. A thrilling example of the last flat-12 Ferrari model
produced - ideal for someone who actually wants a 512M to drive and
enjoy. This car is physically located in Savannah, Georgia, and is
available for virtual or in-person showings by appointment. For
more information about this 1996 Ferrari 512M for sale at Motorcar
Studio, please call 912-235-0435.
