Birth and Glory of the Testa Rossa

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

In 1957, a red headed car (Testa Rossa, TR) attacks the motor racing circuits in order to win. Since the previous year, the red valve cover is a sign of the new models of Ferrari.

Unfortunately, this is a series of fatal accidents which paves the way for significant changes in racing regulations, limiting engine capacity to 3000 cc. With its model 250 TR inaugurating the aerodynamic form known as "pontoon fender", Ferrari is the only brand to have the ideal car to dominate the circuit under the new rules. For years, no other manufacturer can challenge the supremacy of the Scuderia.

Every year in May, RM Auctions is organizing in Maranello in cooperation with Sotheby's the most remarkable specialized auction : there are only Ferraris of the highest quality.

The highlighted lot for the sale of May 17 is one of 22 copies of the Ferrari 250 TR. Quite simply, RM Auctions said that this lot will record the highest bid ever in the world for a vintage car.

The estimate is not indicated, but the benchmark is accurate. It expects more than 6.8 million € paid in 2007 including costs for a Ferrari 330 TRI / LM Testa Rossa 1962, and more than € 7 million paid including costs in 2008 for a black SWB California Spyder 1961. Both in Maranello.

The black Ferraris are among the most beautiful cars in the history of the automobile. This is the case of our red head copy.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

I'm like everyone else, I like to talk about records, when they are worth and unquestionable. With this Ferrari, RM Auctions had a car for which their specialists knew that it was exceptional. The originality of their approach to the medias has been to indicate that the world record of a car at auction would be exceeded, without giving other estimates.

It's done: 9 M € premium included.

The sale was organized in cooperation with Sotheby's.