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The Most Beautiful Cars Ever Built










1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rosa


                                                           
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Estimated Value  $25,000,000 - $35,000,000

In all, thirty-four 250 Testa Rossas were built, from 1956 through 1961. The phrase "Testa Rossa" means "red head." The most well known, the 250TR, was produced from 1957 to 1958; only 2 factory cars and 19 customer cars were built. After the 250 GTO, the 250 Testa Rossa is the second most valuable Ferrari model, often valued at more than US$8,000,000. A 1957 250 Testa Rossa sold on August 20, 2011 for $16,400,000, a new world record auction price for a car when inflation is ignored.  It should also be noted that there was a time where this car, along with several similar models, was viewed as merely a "clapped-out" obsolete racer. They often sold for as low as $4,000 around 1965.

The 250 Testa Rossa was designed to offer customers already racing with the 500 TRC a much more powerful engine on a similar chassis to help retain the former model’s great handling. Rumour also had it that the FIA would place a three-litre limit on prototypes and this indeed proved to be the case. As a result the reliable V12 from the 250 Gran Turismo was used albeit with a radically tuned with six twin-choke carburettors. Compared with the 500 TRC, only the valve covers were painted red, but the car still kept the Testa Rossa name and won the Manufacturers’ World Championship in 1958

Engine:
Type: front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke: 73 x 58.8 mm
Total displacement: 2953.21 cc
Compression ratio: 9.8 : 1
Maximum power: 300 hp at 7200 rpm                                                                  
Valve actuation:  twin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed: six Weber 38 DCN carburettors
Ignition: single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication: wet sump
Clutch: twin-plate
Transmission: 4 Speed manual