Michael Jordan didn’t just dominate the NBA, he transformed into a global brand. From launching the Jordan sneaker empire to owning a NASCAR team with 23XI Racing, the man’s fingerprints are all over pop culture. And let’s not forget his Chicago mansion or the custom private jet draped in Jordan Brand colors. Everything about MJ screamed luxury and legacy. But buried among those headline-grabbing ventures was a sleek, black supercar that’s still one of his flashiest flexes.

In fact, when it comes to iconic status symbols of the ’90s, Jordan’s 1992 Ferrari 512 TR is right up there. Back then, two exotics ruled the dream garage: the Lamborghini Countach and the Ferrari Testarossa. While kids might’ve had posters of the Lambo, it was MJ’s love for the Testarossa that truly pushed Ferrari into the American mainstream.

Even though His Airness had a serious thing for exotic cars—racking up everything from Bugatti to Bentley—it’s still the Testarossa that fans remember most. The black 512 TR wasn’t just a car—it was a statement during the peak of Jordan’s greatness.

Interestingly, the last time the world laid eyes on Jordan’s Ferrari was way back in 2010, when it was sold at auction. The new owner? Completely anonymous. No one had seen that specific Testarossa anywhere for almost two decades. A rare silence for such a loud piece of history. So, what makes this model so legendary? Let’s dig in.

Michael Jordan’s Ferrari is more than a car

If you were a hoops fan in the early ’90s, chances are you remember that iconic photo—Michael Jordan stepping out of a sleek black Ferrari 512 TR before Game 5 against the Knicks. That moment wasn’t just about basketball. It was fashion, speed, power—Jordan in his prime. “Among one of the 10-20 most memorable sports images of the 20th century,” fans might say. And honestly, it’s hard to argue otherwise. That six-figure machine became just as much a part of his aura as his signature sneakers.

Interestingly, that very Ferrari was delivered to MJ on February 29, 1992—a leap day delivery for a once-in-a-generation athlete. But he didn’t hang onto it forever. By 1995, it landed in the hands of Chris Gardner. Yes, that same Chris Gardner, who inspired the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Gardner often cruised through Chicago in it with the cheeky license plate, “Not MJ”—a nod to the “M-AIR-J” plate Jordan once had. Surprisingly, when it hit the auction block again, the car sold for around $80,000–$100,000. Not bad, but kind of a bargain considering the history behind the wheel.

Then came the mystery. The Ferrari 512 TR, no longer in production since 1994, vanished from the public eye. Turns out, it had quietly moved to California. A man named Herschel bought it and tucked it away. “It’s essentially in the same condition it was in 1995,” he revealed.

Even after surviving California wildfires and a battle with rare bone cancer, Herschel refused to part with it—except for late-night spins around the block when no one was watching. Finally, after decades, the car found a new home. Curated, the company that found the car, stepped in and bought the Ferrari, promising to restore it and let Herschel take one last ride.

“Finding this car felt like solving a mystery that’s haunted us for years,” said John Temerian of Curated. “There are few moments in this business that truly give you chills.” This wasn’t just about a car—it was about legacy. MJ’s, Ferrari’s, Gardner’s, and now Herschel’s.