The Cars of Miami Vice: A Complete Guide to Every Iconic Ride
From the fake Daytona Spyder to the real Testarossa, Miami Vice didn't just define 1980s television — it transformed Miami's relationship with exotic cars forever. Here's the complete automotive history of the show.
The Car That Started It All: The "Daytona"
When Miami Vice premiered in September 1984, Sonny Crockett wasn't driving a Ferrari at all. His black sports car was actually a 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta-based replica of a Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder, built by McBurnie Coachcraft in California. It looked the part on screen, but Ferrari was not amused.
Enzo Ferrari himself reportedly hated that a fake Ferrari was the star of America's hottest show. So Ferrari did something unprecedented: they gave the production two brand-new Testarossas. For free. The only condition? Destroy the replica.
The White Testarossa
In the Season 3 premiere ("When Irish Eyes Are Crying," 1986), the fake Daytona was spectacularly blown up, and Crockett rolled into the next scene in a gleaming white 1986 Ferrari Testarossa. Television history was made.
The white Testarossa became arguably the most famous car in TV history. Its side strakes, pop-up headlights, and flat-12 soundtrack became synonymous with 1980s Miami. Ferrari reportedly saw a 40% increase in US sales the year after the Testarossa appeared on the show.
Two Testarossas were used during filming — one hero car for close-ups and one stunt car. After the show ended in 1989, the hero car was donated to a museum. It sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2015 for $1.95 million.
Tubbs' Cadillac
Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) drove a 1964 Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible in black. While not as flashy as Crockett's rides, it was perfectly suited to the character — smooth, understated, and effortlessly cool.
The Villain Cars
Miami Vice was equally famous for its villain vehicles. Drug lords rolled in black Lamborghini Countachs, white Rolls-Royce Corniche convertibles, and the occasional Porsche 928. The show established the visual language that Miami still speaks: exotic cars equal power.
The Legacy
Before Miami Vice, South Florida wasn't particularly known for its car culture. After Miami Vice, it became the exotic car capital of America. Dealers like Prestige Imports and Braman saw a boom in exotic sales. The show essentially created the market that places like RMC Miami, Curated, and South Beach Exotic Rentals now serve.
Today, you can still spot white Testarossas cruising Ocean Drive — a living tribute to the show that made Miami and exotic cars inseparable. 🌴
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