1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa expected to break world auction record

The world record auction price for a motor car was set last May at the Ferrari Leggenda e Passione by a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder which sold for USD 10,894,400 (€7,040,000, £5,598,208 GBP). The event is held annually in Maranello, during the final stretch of the Mille Miglia and the RM/Sothebys auction always sees the finest available specimens of the Prancing Horse go under the hammer. This year a Scaglietti-designed, ‘pontoon-fender’ 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (pictured) is expected to break the record once more.

One of the most desirable Ferraris ever to be offered at auction, the 1957 Ferrari 250 TR (chassis no. 0714TR) is one of just 22 constructed. Built in 1957 and 1958, the beautiful and immediately recognizable 250 TR was entered in 19 international championship races between 1958 and 1961 emerging with 10 victories and hence becoming one of the most competitive racing Ferraris ever built. The car claimed several Le Mans 24 Hour Race victories.

The car to be auctioned, 0714TR, was extensively campaigned in its day with significant finishes at some of the world’s most important racing events and is offered at auction for the first time. It was by far the most campaigned of the 250TR cliente series cars with a fascinating ownership and racing history. It will be offered in its period race-correct black livery with red nose. In December 1957, 0714TR was delivered to its first owner, racing driver and future coachbuilder, Piero Drogo in Modena, Italy. Drogo debuted the car as a privateer in the celebrated 1000 km Buenos Aires in January 1958 with a respectable fourth place finish competing with such legendary drivers as Phil Hill, Peter Collins, Wolfgang von Trips and Olivier Gendebien. Following entries in the Grand Prix of Cuba and Portugal, the car was sold by American Ferrari agent Luigi Chinetti to Texas rancher and entrepreneur Alan Connell whose competitive driving skills and affluence afforded him several wins on the 1959 North American racing circuit. 0714TR continued its prowess on the track with subsequent owners and competed in its last professional race in June 1963 at the Elkhart Lake 500.

The Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event is now in its third year, and will be held in Maranello on May 17, 2009. All cars presented at the Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event will be certified by Ferrari Classiche.