Sculpting Speed: Inside the Unique World of Testa D'Oro by Colani

Maestro WORKS - Step into the world of automotive eccentricity with the Ferrari Testa D'Oro Colani, a peculiar creation that challenges the conventional beauty associated with the Prancing Horse emblem. Crafted in 1989 by the renowned German industrial designer, Luigi 'Lutz' Colani, this sports car is a testament to Colani's obsession with aerodynamics and efficiency.

The final form of the Ferrari Testa D'Oro Colani since undergoing its last transformation after 1992. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

Colani, driven by a desire to push the limits of speed, embarked on a quest to modify a Ferrari Testarossa in the late 1980s with the aim of breaking the world record for the fastest production car. The result was the Testa D'Oro, a vehicle that defies norms and stands as a unique manifestation of Colani's biodynamic design language.

Luigi Colani posed along with several his car creation including the Ferrari Testa d'Oro. (Picture from: RossoAutomobili)

The exterior of the Testa D'Oro is a spectacle in itself. The front boasts an elongated and flat air splitter, resembling a giant tongue protruding from the car. Colani's signature aerodynamic elements, including spoilers and air dams, contribute to the car's distinctive shape. However, the extreme air splitter limits its practicality for regular road use, demanding meticulous planning.

The Ferrari Testa D'Oro Colani in action during its speed record attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1991. (Picture from: RossoAutomobili)

The nose of the car takes on an oval fish-mouthed shape with an air scoop for the braking system. The expansive windscreen, devoid of significant curvature, resembles a massive flat plate of glass. Moving over the mid-mounted Ferrari flat-12 engine, the glasshouse tapers, maintaining a sculptural and bold design.

Front side view of the Ferrari Testa D'Oro Colani. (Picture from: CarDesignNews)

The rear of the Testa D'Oro features an organic and soft design, avoiding sharp surfacing or jarring angles. Colani's design philosophy, inspired by Galileo Galilei, rejects the trend of angular shapes, embracing the beauty of rounded forms.

Inside the cabin, the Testa D'Oro exudes a sporty ambiance with blue racing seats, a bare steel-plated lower deck, and a functional black dashboard featuring various indicator panels. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

Under the hood, the Testa D'Oro houses a potent Lotec-Ferrari 12-cylinder twin-turbo engine with a capacity of 4,942 cc, generating a staggering 750 hp. This powerhouse catapults the car to a top speed record of 218 mph or approximately 351 kilometers per hour. This also led to a name change from Testarossa (red head) to Testa D’Oro (golden head).

The Ferrari Testa D'Oro Colani's engine upgrades led to a name change from 'Testarossa' (red head) to 'Testa D’Oro' (golden head). (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

Inside the cabin, the Testa D'Oro exudes a sporty ambiance with blue-colored racing seats and a bare lower deck adorned with steel plates instead of carpeting. The original black dashboard features various indicator panels, maintaining a balance between performance and functionality. The body, which was minimised at the doors rises over the rear wheels and forms a short deck. Below this it terminates in a reverse-sloping fascia that contains the exhaust ports and cooling vents for the brakes. The glasshouse tapers away as it passes over the Ferrari flat-12 sitting amidships.

Rear view of the Ferrari Testa D'Oro Colani. (Picture from: CarDesignNews)

In 1991, Colani and his team brought the Testa D’Oro, along with three other cars, to the Bonneville Salt Flats for Speed Week. Mike Strasburg, a prominent figure in the scene, was chosen to drive the Testa D’Oro, which featured 235 tires up front and 335 at the rear, reminiscent of the iconic Ferrari F40. Despite the massive tires, Strasburg had to battle the loose salt surface, eventually achieving a top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph), securing a class win for Colani's team.

The Testa D’Oro, along with three other cars, accompanied Luigi Colani and his team to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats during Speed Week in 1991. (Picture from: RossoAutomobili)

Buoyed by their success, the team returned in 1992 with the largely unchanged car. This time, Strasburg pushed it to an even higher top speed of 351 km/h (218 mph). However, Colani was still unsatisfied, leading to a major transformation of the Testa D’Oro the following year. In true Colani style, the car underwent a radical redesign, becoming nearly unrecognizable with its even more rounded bodywork and highly aerodynamic front end.

The Ferrari Testa D’Oro was a bold design statement, featuring a giant windscreen, an unusually massive front splitter, and a 1960s race-inspired blue interior. (Picture from: SupercarWorld)

Unfortunately, this version never competed at Bonneville Speed Week for unknown reasons, but it certainly made waves in the design world. Whether admired or criticized, Colani’s bold creations remain a striking departure from traditional automotive design. In 2015, the Testa D'Oro was listed for sale through the exotic car dealer Purosangue Maranello in Italy, standing as a rare and extraordinary find for enthusiasts seeking unparalleled uniqueness.

This extraordinary stallion was eventually sold for a whopping US. $1.7 million, approximately Rp. 22.63 billion. It is a testament to the fusion of fantasy and horsepower, resulting in a record-breaking and inspirational masterpiece. If You wanna see another Luigi Colani' works, visit the sites Colani.org. *** [EKA [27062015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COLANI.ORG | CAR AND DRIVER | CARDESIGNNEWS | SUPERCARWORLD | ROSSOAUTOMOBILI ]

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