A jaw-dropping example of one of the most beautiful and rare Ferraris of all time is soon going to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s, and it could fetch up to $38 million. The stunning piece of automotive artwork in question is a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, one of the only 19 special units that feature a highly desirable pontoon-fendered body created by the renowned Italian coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti.
Built by Ferrari between 1957 and 1961, the 250 TR was initially developed as a racing car meant to compete in the 1957 World Sportscar Championship racing season in response to rule changes that enforced a maximum engine displacement of 3 liters. The example that’s up grabs has a notable history, winning four of the nearly 20 races during its decade-long competitive career.
According to the listing, the 250 Testa Rossa, with chassis number 0738 TR, spent its early years racing in Brazil and won the 1965 edition of the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix. After changing hands several in Brazil, the 250 TR reached the US in the 1980s. The car was treated to a full restoration by Ferrari’s Classiche department in 2013. Furthermore, the listing claims that it is one of the very few Testa Rossas to be “Red Book certified as retaining both its matching-numbers engine and gearbox.”
The example is finished in Ferrari’s signature Rosso Corsa paint and features a white racing gumball with the number 81. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter Tipo 128 Colombo V12 that is capable of producing 300hp. The car has been a part of a prominent American Ferrari collection for over a decade. It is being offered by Sotheby’s Sealed auction, which will take place in Detroit, Michigan, from 21 to 23 February.
[All images by Sotheby’s]
