Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance, has announced that the
famous 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype will be presented at auction for the first time in history at the
Pebble Beach Auctions on August 20 and 21 where this
sports car is poised to break world records.
"Being in the presence of the 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa Prototype is a visceral
and breathtaking experience unlike anything I've ever known," says David
Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. "We will all witness a
historic day when this incredible car - one of the greatest race cars of all
time - crosses our stage in Pebble Beach this August."
While it exists in a class of its own, the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Prototype joins an elite list of extraordinary competition Ferraris that have
crossed the block at Gooding & Company's auctions, including the record-breaking
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider that sold for $7.26 million and the
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta SEFAC Hot Rod that sold for $6.105 million
last year.
The 1957 Ferrari 250
Testa Rossa Prototype, Chassis 0666 TR started it all as
the prototype and test-bed for the Testa Rossa line,
which is arguably the most successful series of sports
racing cars in history. Based on the 290MM, the
prototype TR was assembled in 1957 featuring the classic
V12 engine, de Dion rear axle and right-hand drive. The
car debuted at the Nürburgring 1000kms where Masten
Gregory and Olindo Morolli finished in 10th place. As a
factory team car, 0666 TR practiced in Sweden and ran
the GP of Sweden. After receiving pontoon-fender
coachwork by Scaglietti, Ferrari campaigned the car in
the Venezuelan Grand Prixand
the 1000kms of Buenos Aires, where it placed an
impressive 3rd and 2nd,
respectively. It has been raced at all of the major
events worldwide including Sebring, Nürburgring and Le
Mans, as well as SCCA events.
Restored to superb
condition with its original, matching-numbers engine and
1958 NART livery, the wildly impressive historic racer
has won two Best in Class trophies from Pebble Beach, a
Platinum Award and the TR Cup at Cavallino, and it is
one of only two factory Classiche-certified TRs in
existence. With just two owners in 40 years, this car's
presentation at auction this August is a once in a
lifetime opportunity. If this Testa Rossa sells next
month, it will be the most valuable car ever sold at
auction in the world.
