Description

The Ferrari Testarossa Monodado is a special and very rare variant of the early Testarossa, produced in small numbers between 1984 and 1988. The nickname “Monodado” comes from the single central locking wheel nut fitted to its wheels, a feature inspired by racing cars. Unlike the later Testarossas, which used the more conventional five-stud wheels, the Monodado had a distinctive and aggressive racing appearance that set it apart from the standard production models.

Mechanically, the Monodado was based on the same 4.9-litre flat-12 engine as the regular Testarossa, producing around 390 horsepower in European specification. The performance figures were nearly identical, with a top speed close to 290 km/h and 0–100 km/h acceleration in just over 5 seconds. The real difference lay in its unique wheel setup, which was not only lighter but also gave the car an added sense of exclusivity.

These early cars also retained the original mirror arrangement, with a single high-mounted side mirror on the driver’s side, often referred to as the “flying mirror.” Combined with the wide rear track and the Monodado wheels, this gave the car an even more distinctive character, making it instantly recognizable to enthusiasts and collectors.

Production numbers were very limited, as Ferrari moved away from the single-nut wheels due to practicality and homologation requirements. As a result, the Monodado is one of the most desirable versions of the Testarossa today, prized for its rarity, its direct connection to Ferrari’s racing design philosophy, and its role as the purest form of the model’s early production years. Collectors value these examples highly, and they are often regarded as the most authentic expression of the Testarossa’s dramatic design and spirit.