'World’s most beautiful' Ferrari hits auction for eye-watering amount
Ferrari's 250 Testa Rossa race car is up for auction next month but petrolheads must be prepared to pay a sky-high asking price.
The exceptional “Pontoon Fendered” 250 Testa Rossa race car, a gem from the late 1950s, is a masterpiece in both automotive design and engineering.
Out of the 33 units ever produced before the model's retirement in 1962, this particular car stands out for its unique design and storied past.
The legendary automotive is up for auction at Sotheby’s Sealed, a three-day event starting on February 21 in Detroit, US.
However, the asking price of the 'the most beautiful Ferrari ever built' might just have you tearing up.
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With only 19 of its kind possessing the “pontoon fender” bodywork, the 250 Testa Rossa is an exclusive piece of Ferrari's history.
According to Forbes, prospective buyers should be prepared to bid in the range of £26.6 to £29.7 million to purchase one of the 'most attractive Ferraris that have left Maranello.'
Crafted in Maranello, Italy, Ferrari's Testa Rossa includes a two-seat interior covered in tan leather with a wood-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel.
The 250 Testa Rossa race car debuted in late 1957, designed to meet new rules about engine size.
It’s also painted in Ferrari’s famous Rosso Corsa colour, with a white racing gumball displaying the number 81.
Impressively, the car remains in almost perfect condition much like it did when it first rolled out of the Maranello factory back 60 years ago.
The listing for the Ferrari reads: 'Fully restored by Ferrari Classiche in 2013, this example is one of the very few Testa Rossas to be Red Book certified as retaining both its matching-numbers engine and gearbox.'
And it's seen its fair share of races and success.
Having participated in nearly 20 races over a decade, and securing four victories, the speedster helped Ferrari reach four World Championships.
Under the hood lies the impressive 3.0-litre Tipo 128 Colombo V-12 engine, a powerhouse delivering 300 hp. Back its its prime, the speed racer could reach a top speed of 168 mph.
Sotheby's didn’t disclose how many miles this race car had clocked, but its well-maintained condition suggests it was possibly owned by the same collector for a long time.
Bonhams commented on the auctions: 'This exceptional car is unparalleled in its rarity, as it's just one of two 412Ps constructed.
'The subject of an exhaustive nine-year restoration, this endeavour not only revitalised the car to its original glory but also rendered it fit for the open road.'
The upcoming auction closely follows another notable sale at Bonham Auctions, where a 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta sold for £24 million.