Delivered new to Gerhard Berger
1989 Ferrari Testarossa Coupé
Chassis no. ZFFSA17S000080974

This beautiful Ferrari Testarossa, chassis number 'ZFFSA17S00080974', was given to the Austrian Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger by Scuderia Ferrari in May 1989 at the start of his third, and final, year driving for the Italian team. The Testarossa was delivered to the official Ferrari dealership Denzel in Innsbruck, Austria and registered by them on 19th May 1989 with the Austrian VIP registration 'T.4798', which Berger had used previously on his Ferrari 328 GTS.

Gerhard Berger mentions the Testarossa twice in his memoirs: on one occasion he was on the highway driving the Ferrari at 270km/h, overtaking a truck which suddenly pulled out to overtake another car at 80km/h. All of his F1 skills had to be deployed in avoiding a collision!

In late 1989 Gerhard Berger acquired a new Ferrari F40 and sold the Testarossa to the owner of Inntaler Transport GsmbH in Innsbruck, Austria, a friend of his. The car was registered to the new owner in Kufstein, Austria on 14th March 1990, again with a VIP registration ('KU-00001').

The Testarossa subsequently passed to a Mr Wimpissinger of Angath, Austria and was registered there on 27th March 1991 as 'KU-2FXU'. A collector and Ferrari enthusiast, Mr Wimpissinger used the car infrequently and kept it well maintained. Tragically, a fire at the Wimpissingers' home claimed the life of his daughter; the Testarossa escaped unscathed but some of the paperwork relating to the car was destroyed. Stricken by grief, Mr Wimpissinger sold the Ferrari on 20th April 1993 to the owner of Minathaler Hof in Unterminathal, Austria. The car was reregistered as 'BE-49FS'.

On 24th April 2009 the Testarossa was bought and reregistered as '687ER' by Ferrari enthusiast Mr Oliver Robert Schlachter of Lauterach, Austria, who it is understood only used it when the weather was perfect; his longest trip was around 200 kilometres in all the years he owned the car. Mr Schlachter kept the Testarossa until he was offered a Lamborghini, which he decided to buy, and in 2013 he sold the Ferrari to Mr Thomas Zettl of Neusäß, Germany. Waiting until the weather was perfect, Mr Zettl delayed collecting the Testarossa until 19th April 2014, exactly one month before its 25th birthday.

The Ferrari duly passed the German TüV inspection and was registered in Augsburg, Germany as 'A-GB1989'. In May 2014 the Testarossa was used as an official press car at the Mille Miglia (number '443') and was also driven to the Ferrari factory at Maranello and the race circuit at Imola. In August 2014 the Testarossa took part in the International Concours d'Elegance in Schwetzingen, Germany and came away with a 2nd-in-class award. That same year Mr Zettl contacted Gerhard Berger's personal assistant asking if Gerhard would kindly sign his old Testarossa, which he agreed to do.

In February 2015, having seen postings on the Internet about a Testarossa, previously owned by Gerhard Berger, the current owners travelled to Augsburg and met with Thomas Zettl. An agreement was made to purchase the car and later that month the Testarossa was imported into the UK. Contact was made with Gerhard Berger's office, which confirmed that he would be happy to meet the new owners with the car, sign it and receive photographs of the event.
Arrangements were made to reunite Gerhard with his Testarossa when he flew into Birmingham airport for a business meeting on 17th July 2017. He happily signed the dashboard and engine bay along with various photographs, his helmet and his race suit (see photographs on file). In conversation he mentioned that Ayrton Senna had accompanied him in the car at Monza in 1989.

The current owners have continued to enjoy and show this outstanding Testarossa. Since acquisition the Ferrari has been looked after by marque specialists Barkaways, one of whose first jobs was to change the lights to UK specification. This car has been used alongside the owners' other Testarossa for events such as Salon Privé, Festival Italia at Brands Hatch and the Tour of Kent, and has also featured in a lengthy article published recently in Auto Italia magazine. A copy of the article is on file and the car also comes with its original books (one marked 'Berger/Denzel'); a Ferrari wallet (signed by Gerhard Berger); Barkaways' bills; previous owner testimony; UK MoT to March 2023; and a UK V5C Registration Certificate.

This is a truly magnificent Ferrari in superb condition throughout with the added provenance - fully documented - of having had a Ferrari Formula 1 driver as its first owner.

Please note that if this vehicle remains within Monaco or France, the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5.5% will be applicable on the hammer price. All customs charges will be invoiced and collected directly by our customs agent, Benaim. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, the VAT amount will be calculated based on your registered country's rate and paid directly there. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearances. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.