🏎️ CHEETAH CLASSIC

Overview

The Cheetah Classic is the car that defined Vice City. Based on the Ferrari Testarossa — arguably the most iconic car of the 1980s — the Cheetah Classic was spotted in Trailer 1 cruising along a neon-lit boulevard, its unmistakable side strakes and wedge profile instantly recognizable to any GTA fan. The original Cheetah was the fastest car in 2002's GTA: Vice City, and seeing its classic variant return to a modern Vice City setting is the kind of fan service that brought tears to long-time players during the trailer reveal. The Testarossa's design language is inseparable from the Miami Vice aesthetic that GTA: Vice City defined and that GTA 6 returns to with next-generation fidelity. Those horizontal side strakes channel air to the mid-mounted flat-12 engine — they're not just decorative, they're functional engineering that happens to look impossibly cool. In the warm glow of a Leonida sunset, with palm trees reflecting off the Cheetah Classic's polished bodywork, this car will deliver moments that feel like stepping into an 80s fever dream brought to life.

The Cheetah Classic recalls an era when supercar design was defined by dramatic wedge profiles and mid-engine proportions that prioritized visual drama alongside aerodynamic efficiency. Its design heritage traces back to icons like the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach, vehicles that shaped public perception of what performance cars should look like. In GTA 6's vehicle hierarchy, the Cheetah Classic bridges the gap between historical appreciation and genuine performance capability, offering speeds and handling that justify its premium positioning within the sports car class.

History in GTA

The Cheetah is one of GTA's oldest vehicles, appearing in every mainline title since the original Grand Theft Auto (1997). In GTA: Vice City (2002), the Cheetah was the ultimate status symbol — a white Testarossa-inspired supercar that Tommy Vercetti drove in key story missions. Its distinctive shape became synonymous with the game itself. In GTA V, the Cheetah received a modern redesign based on the Ferrari Enzo/LaFerrari, while the Cheetah Classic was added to GTA Online as a separate vehicle faithfully recreating the Testarossa look. The Classic variant became a fan favorite for its authentic 80s styling, pop-up headlights, and that unforgettable flat-12 engine note. Priced at $865,000 in GTA Online, it was more of a cruiser than a racer, but nobody bought a Cheetah Classic for lap times.

The Cheetah has been one of GTA's most iconic vehicle names since the earliest entries in the franchise, consistently representing the fastest or among the fastest cars available to players. The Classic variant specifically references the wedge-shaped supercar designs of the 1980s and early 1990s, an era when automotive designers pushed visual boundaries with dramatic angles, popup headlights, and side strakes that gave supercars an unmistakably futuristic appearance. This design heritage carries significant nostalgic weight for both GTA veterans and automotive enthusiasts.

The Cheetah Classic in GTA 6

The Trailer 1 Cheetah Classic appears virtually identical to the GTA Online version — and that's exactly the point. This isn't a car that needs modernization; it's a time capsule. In GTA 6's Leonida, the Cheetah Classic will serve as a rolling tribute to the franchise's most beloved setting. Expect to see NPC-driven Cheetah Classics in wealthier neighborhoods and along Ocean Beach, where the Vice City nostalgia factor is strongest. The car may appear in flashback missions or story sequences that reference events from the original GTA: Vice City. Its handling should be authentic to the era — slightly floaty, with rear-engine weight transfer that rewards smooth inputs over aggressive driving. This is a car you cruise in, not race in.

Performance & Handling

The Cheetah Classic sits firmly in the sports classic class, which means it trades outright speed for character and charm. Expect a top speed around 140 mph — respectable but far from competitive with modern super cars. The mid-engine, rear-drive layout gives it distinctive handling: the rear-biased weight distribution means the back end can swing out under hard braking or lift-off oversteer, but the wide rear tires provide good traction under acceleration. The real performance metric for the Cheetah Classic is the experience — the flat-12 engine note, the way it sits on the road, the visual impact of seeing it in your rearview mirror. In GTA 6's improved audio system, that Testarossa-inspired engine should sound absolutely glorious.

Where to Find It

The Cheetah Classic should appear as rare NPC traffic in upscale areas — think Starfish Island, Vice Beach, and the hotel districts along Neon Mile. Classic car shows and meets may feature multiple Cheetah Classics. It should be purchasable through a vintage vehicle dealer or specialty website. Given its Trailer 1 appearance, it may also be connected to a specific story mission.

The Cheetah Classic appears infrequently in general traffic, reflecting its status as a collectible exotic that commands premium pricing and limited availability. High-end automotive environments like luxury dealerships, classic car storage facilities, and exclusive car show events offer the most reliable encounter opportunities. Coastal highway cruising routes during favorable weather conditions may also produce occasional Cheetah Classic sightings among NPC enthusiast drivers exercising their collections.

Customization

Expect period-correct customization options: classic phone-dial wheels, aftermarket spoiler delete or whale tail options, tinted glass louvers, mirror-finish chrome accents, and era-appropriate color options including Rosso Corsa, Bianco Avus, and Nero. Modern touches should include carbon fiber engine covers, LED-converted pop-up headlights, and custom exhaust tips. Livery options could include racing stripes, vintage Grotti racing liveries, and maybe a tribute livery referencing a certain white sports car from 2002.

Customizing the Cheetah Classic requires a sensitive approach that respects its vintage design language while improving its performance to competitive contemporary standards. Period-appropriate modifications like rear wing options that reference 1980s racing homologation specials, wheel designs that echo the style of the era's most prestigious sports car manufacturers, and interior trim options in classic leather and suede materials all enhance the Cheetah Classic's retro appeal. Performance modifications should focus on extracting more power from the existing engine configuration rather than wholesale powerplant swaps that would compromise the vehicle's vintage character.

Tips & Strategy

The Cheetah Classic channels vintage supercar energy into GTA 6's modern handling model, creating a driving experience that feels genuinely different from contemporary exotic cars. Its mid-engine layout provides the expected balance advantages for cornering, but the vintage-inspired chassis lacks the electronic stability interventions that newer vehicles use to mask driver errors. Every input matters in the Cheetah Classic. Steering corrections that a modern supercar would filter out translate directly into chassis response, creating an intimate but demanding driving experience. Master this directness and the Cheetah Classic rewards you with cornering precision that feels more connected and satisfying than electronically mediated alternatives.

The Cheetah Classic's vintage aesthetic serves a unique strategic purpose in GTA 6's social landscape. Where modern hypercars communicate recent wealth, the Cheetah Classic suggests established taste and automotive knowledge. It is a choice that collectors make deliberately rather than defaulting to the most expensive option on the dealership floor. In GTA Online, this distinction attracts different kinds of attention and social interactions. Car meet communities appreciate the Cheetah Classic's heritage, and its rarity compared to common modern supercars makes it a conversation starter. For practical missions, the Cheetah Classic performs competitively with contemporary sports cars while offering a driving experience that keeps you more engaged during routine travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated April 24, 2026. Vehicle specs are estimates based on trailer footage and historical GTA data. For the full searchable database, visit our Vehicles Wiki.