RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, will offer this stunning 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (Chassis # 0714TR) when the Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event returns to Maranello, May 17, 2009.
0714TR was extensively campaigned in its day with significant finishes at the world’s most important racing events and is now being offered at auction for the first time. The car is resplendent in its period race-correct black livery and red nose.
In December 1957, this car 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 250 TR has become an enduring and exceedingly valuable classic whose soaring lines and sculptural elegance give it a sense of speed even when standing still. The legendary s/n 0714TR is by far the most campaigned of the 250 TR cliente series cars with a fascinating ownership and racing history, establishing its rarified place in the collector world as one of the most beautiful and valuable Ferraris ever offered in auction history.
RM Auctions expects 0714TR to set a new world record for a vintage motor car sold at auction, breaking the $10,894,000 achieved by the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder (s/n 2377GT) at the 2008 Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event.
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Photo Gallery (click on picture for high resolution version)
[Source: RM Auctions]
