What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.

Sign up to start learning.

Happy newsletter Friday!🏎️

It’s the early '90s in Chicago. The city is buzzing with energy, and the United Center is alive with anticipation. A black Ferrari Testarossa purrs up to the player’s entrance. Michael Jordan steps out, suited in quiet confidence, his presence outshined only by the bold, wedge-shaped Italian machine behind him. For Michael Jordan, pulling up in that sleek black Ferrari wasn’t about flash; it was about affirming the heights he had reached through relentless work and vision. The car’s presence turned heads, but more importantly, it turned the abstract idea of success into something real and tangible. It stood as proof that greatness wasn’t accidental, it was earned.

The Ferrari Testarossa, introduced at the 1984 Paris Auto Show, was the epitome of excess and innovation. Built as the successor to the Berlinetta Boxer. The name “Testarossa,” meaning “red head” in Italian, referred to the red-painted valve covers on its 4.9-liter flat-12 engine, a subtle nod to Ferrari’s racing pedigree. Its horizontal side strakes and wide rear end became automotive icons overnight.

This machine was a marvel of engineering: 380 horsepower, a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.0 seconds, and a top speed of 176 mph. It weighed in at a muscular 3,766 pounds and originally retailed for around $94,000. Today, the Testarossa commands prices ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, depending on condition.

Over time, Ferrari refined the model, first with the 512 TR (1992–1994), which offered sleeker design and improved handling, and later with the F512 M (1994–1996), which brought modernized styling and better performance dynamics. Yet, no iteration ever eclipsed the original’s cultural gravity.

The Ferrari Testarossa became a cultural beacon in the 1980s and early '90s. It famously roared through the neon-soaked streets of Miami Vice, driven by Don Johnson’s character Sonny Crockett, instantly cementing its place in television history. In music videos, it became a favorite prop for artists looking to showcase wealth and prestige, appearing in iconic visuals from Duran Duran to LL Cool J. It also showed up in Hollywood films like American Psycho and The Wolf of Wall Street, representing a certain kind of reckless, unapologetic affluence. Even in fashion and print advertisements, the Testarossa was often seen parked in front of marble mansions or beside supermodels, signaling that it was about speed and arrival to the next echelon of life. To own a Testarossa was to be part of a very visible, aspirational narrative written in horsepower, leather, and legend.

To see a Testarossa today is to be reminded of what’s possible. It serves as both a vintage car and a time machine to a mindset that seems to be timeless. Working hard at the right things yields exceptional results. A mindset where dreams are loud, ambitions were visible, and no one apologized for wanting more. The Testarossa is about luxury, it’s also about believing that excellence is worth chasing, no matter the odds. That anyone, from anywhere, can pull up to their own arena in something extraordinary. The great thing about history is that it gives us the blueprint to win at life(whatever winning is to you). We’ve seen the greats build a lives worthy of a Ferrari Testarossa, it’s your turn. Start now. Invest in your ambition. Drive toward your potential. As always, I’m watching from afar, and I’m rooting for you!