In the world of classic Ferraris, few models are more desirable than a 250 Testa Rossa, with a stunning example heading to the auction block next month courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. While the auction house has not released an estimated sales price for the car, a similar car was sold by a British dealer in 2014 for $40 million.
This 250 Testa Rossa is one of just 19 examples ever made. It is chassis no. 0738, the bodywork was crafted by Italian coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti, it was used in competition for more than a decade and competed in 19 different races, claiming victory in four of them. While none of those race victories were one of the four Le Mans 24 Hour titles that other 250 Testa Rossas claimed, it’s not often that a Ferrari as desirable or iconic as this one hits the market.
Watch: See A Ferrari 250 GTO Narrowly Escape Destruction After A Flash Fire
Ferrari built the 250 Testa Rossa between 1957 and 1961. It was initially developed for the 1957 World Sportscar Championship and shared some parts with earlier 250 models. Powering the car is a 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 producing 300 hp at 7,000 rpm, translating to 100 hp per liter, quite the feat back in the 1950s. Rare examples of the 250 Testa Rossa with bodywork by Scaglietti are known as ‘pontoon fender’ cars.
Chassis no. 0738 is a 1958 model and in 2013, was fully restored by Ferrari Classiche. What’s more, it is also one of just a few 250 Testa Rossas that has been Red Book certified as retaining the matching-numbers engine and transmission. It has been residing in a large private Ferrari collection in the U.S. for more than a decade.
This isn’t the only classic Ferrari 250 that’s been placed up for sale in recent months. In late November, a rare 250 GTO / 330 LM sold for $51.7 million.
