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White Christmas: Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa on eBay for $1.75M

Were the eighties responsible for more iconic television cars than any other decade? Without even thinking about it we can reel off B.A. Baracus' GMC van, the Knight Industries Two Thousand and General Lee, Hardcastle and McCormick's Coyote, Magnum P.I.'s Ferrari 308. That's before we dip into personal favorites like The Fall Guy's GMC and the Dodge Ram Power Wagon from Simon and Simon, or hop over to cartoons like Transformers, the GoBots and MASK. And then there was this, among the top rung of eighties memorabilia, a 1986 Ferrari Testarossa claimed to be one of two used in Miami Vice. You'll remember that the show began with James "Sonny" Crockett driving a black Daytona Coupe, but it was a replica built on C3 Corvette running gear. The story is that Ferrari sued the replica maker and made the show's producers an offer: blow up the replica on the show in return for two Testarossas to use. And that, it's said, is how Crockett's convertible got hit by a missile during an undercover assignment with an arms dealer. The original cars were Carbon Black, but the show's cameras couldn't keep up with them at night, so director Michael Mann had them painted white. For sale on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $1.75M, the seller says he has the all of the service history paperwork and documentation from Ferrari North America. According to the seller, he bought it about three years ago; before that, it was last sold in 1991 and sat in a Miami garage for years, so it has 16,000 miles on the odometer. The Hagerty Price Guide Report shows Testarossa values have nearly doubled in four years, but a pristine find should still only fetch about $93,500, just to make sure you're clear on the seller's Hollywood premium. Nostalgia awaits you in the gallery, and perhaps a new car at the link. Featured Gallery 1986 Ferrari Testarossa from Miami Vice View 12 Photos News Source: eBay via Car and Driver TV/Movies Ferrari Auctions Coupe Luxury Performance eBay ferrari testarossa

Formula 1 seeking independent engine supplier

Formula 1 could get a new engine supplier in the near future, if Bernie Ecclestone and the independent teams gets their way. According to Autosport, the FIA is soon to open the contract up for bids, and there are already several manufacturers that have expressed interest. Currently Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda supply engines – both to their own premier teams (Red Bull and McLaren for the latter two) but also to other teams like Williams, Sauber, and Toro Rosso. Because the new turbocharged V6 hybrid power units cost those four suppliers so much to develop, they're charging their customer teams big bucks – around $20-30 million per season – to provide the engines. These costs are much higher than the $10 million or so it used to cost to purchase a V8 engine under the previous regulations. Ecclestone figures it's time to bring in another supplier who will not run their own team and not play favorites, but will supply engines to private teams at a lower cost. There are already a number of potential suppliers under consideration. One of them is said to be Cosworth, which has a long history in the series stretching back to 1963. The British firm stepped back between 2007 and 2009, returned in 2010, and dropped out again after 2013. The development could be of particular benefit to Red Bull, which has been unable to find an engine supplier and could be forced out of the series as a result. The team has long been powered by Renault, but that relationship has grown sour. And the other three engine manufacturers have not been forthcoming in offering an alternative arrangement for the team. Related Video: News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Cosworth Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz Renault F1 engine contract

Charles Leclerc takes fourth straight pole at Russian Grand Prix

SOCHI, Russia — Charles Leclerc clinched his fourth straight pole position and championship leader Lewis Hamilton was second in qualifying at Formula One's Russian Grand Prix on Saturday. Leclerc finished 0.402 seconds clear of Hamilton, with Leclerc's Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel third fastest at the Sochi Autodrome. Hamilton is bidding for his first win since the summer break and his Mercedes team is often the dominant force in Russia, having won all of the five races staged here. Hamilton is 65 points ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas in his quest for a sixth world title, but looks to have his work cut out against Leclerc. Alex Albon crashed out of qualifying. The London-born Thai spun at the slow-speed Turn 13 before slamming into the barriers. The driver was unhurt. Vettel finished ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen but the Dutch driver will be bumped back five places following a grid penalty for changes to his engine. Ferrari, winless in the opening half of the season, is now the team to beat as it seeks a fourth consecutive victory. While Vettel ended his 13-month losing streak in Singapore last weekend, it is Leclerc who continues to impress in his opening season with the Scuderia. This marked his sixth pole this season and it is also the 10th straight round Leclerc has out-qualified Vettel, the four-time world champion, who was 0.425 slower in qualifying. "It definitely feels great to be back on pole," said Leclerc, who became the first Ferrari driver since Michael Schumacher to claim four straight poles. Leclerc is 96 points behind Hamilton in the championship, with a total of only 156 to play for in the remaining six races. Hamilton has not been on pole since the German Grand Prix in July, a streak of five races, but was delighted to have split the Ferraris with his final effort. "I gave it everything I could in the end and I am so glad it came together," Hamilton said. "I wasn't expecting to be on the front row so I am really happy." Bottas finished fifth in qualifying. The Finn will join Vettel on the second row following Verstappen's penalty. Earlier Saturday, McLaren said the team will be powered by Mercedes from 2021, ending its association with Renault at the end of the 2020 campaign. The long-term agreement will run until at least 2024.