While Ferrari has just unveiled its new 849 Testarossaanother project is attracting attention: the first Ferrari Testarossa Targa. Well... not quite, since to avoid any legal problems with Maranello, the independent coachbuilder behind this project has chosen to call his creation something else: Guida Touring Sport.
Behind this name lies Niels van Roij Design, a Dutch studio specializing in custom coachbuilding. If the name rings a bell, that's understandable: they've already been responsible for such unusual projects as the Fiat Panda 4×4 transformed into a luxury version, and the Breadvan Hommage based on a Ferrari 550 Maranello. This time, Niels van Roij has tackled one of the absolute icons of the 1980s: the Ferrari Testarossa.
The Testarossa Targa that never was
Presented at the 1984 Paris Motor Show, the Testarossa left its mark on its era with its silhouette and 4.9-liter flat-block V12. But while a few official Spiders were produced, such as the very rare 512 TR Spider, Ferrari never produced a Targa version.
This project fills precisely that gap. At the request of a British enthusiast living in Andorra, Niels van Roij took on the challenge of removing the roof over the seats without distorting the coupé's lines.
To achieve this, the coachbuilder carried out extensive work: reinforcing the door sills, the central tunnel, the rear deck, the dashboard... Over 3,000 hours of work were required to ensure that rigidity remained at the same level, despite the absence of a fixed roof.
Why not call it Testarossa?
While everyone immediately recognizes the base used, the word "Testarossa" never appears in the studio's official communication. The model is presented as an "iconic 1984 V12 coupé". The reason for this is simple: Ferrari has little tolerance for modifications to its cars, let alone the use of its name to promote independent creations. We all remember the legal battle over the Koenig Specials Competition Evolutionwhich had previously taken on the Prancing Horse brand. To avoid any risk, the project was given the name Guida Touring Sport (GTS).
Tribute to the 1980s
The result retains the key elements that made the legend: the imposing side air intakes, the muscular stern, the vertical rear window... but now offers the possibility of enjoying the magical sound of the V12 in the open air.
The interior has also been redesigned, blending contemporary materials with vintage touches: reworked dashboard, redesigned door panels, machined aluminum levers, not forgetting custom-made bags to store the roof panels. Every detail has been treated like a piece of automotive haute couture.
To accompany the presentation, the studio came up with an advertising campaign inspired by the 1980s: hand drawings, retro photos in saturated hues and even a bespoke suit whose lines recall the car's bodywork.
A world first at the Concours d'Élégance
The public premiere of the Guida Touring Sport took place from September 12 to 14, 2025 at the prestigious Wheels Concours d'Élégance in Mariënwaerdt. This one-off will remain unique, the property of its sponsor and unofficially the only Ferrari Testarossa Targa in the world.
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