Santa Monica, Calif. (January 26, 2024) — Gooding & Company is proud to announce the recent private sale of one of the world’s most significant Ferrari 250 Testa Rossas in existence. Chassis 0704 TR, one of just two surviving envelope-bodied racers from the triumphant 1958 competition season, and the only unrestored Testa Rossa in existence, was sold with the private brokerage firm discreetly for a considerable figure. Gooding & Company continues to oversee significant private sales year after year, utilizing its network comprising the world’s foremost automotive collectors.
A racing machine evoking sheer power and intoxicating beauty, the 250 Testa Rossa was built by Ferrari in various iterations from 1957 through 1961. As purpose-built competition cars, they were intended to contest, and win, the FIA World Sportscar Championship, and, of course, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Through the model’s years in racing, Ferrari managed to secure wins at the most important events of the time, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Targa Florio.
Photo courtesy of Wouter Melissen.
Photo courtesy of The Klemantaski Collection.
Between 1957 to 1958, the majority of Testa Rossas built for customer use were pontoon-bodied, featuring a four-speed gearbox, four-wheel drum brakes, and a live rear axle. The few cars employed by Scuderia Ferrari during this time utilized a De Dion rear axle, and came in right-hand drive. Ahead of the 1958 Le Mans, this 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, chassis 0704 TR, was updated to the newly designed envelope body by Scaglietti, which clothed a total of just three examples.
0704 TR was campaigned exclusively by the Scuderia Ferrari works racing team during 1957 and 1958. It was driven in period by some of the most important names in motoring, including Phil Hill, Olivier Gendebien, Maurice Trintignant, Peter Collins, Mike Hawthorn, Wolfgang Seidel, Richie Ginther, and John von Neumann. The victorious Testa Rossa won the 1958 12 Hours of Sebring and Buenos Aires 1000 Km outright, and also participated in the 1957 and 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1958 Targa Florio, and the 1958 Nürburgring 1000 Km. It would go on to join the Henry Ford Museum Collection, where it remained for three decades from 1967 to 1997.
In more recent years, 0704 TR was notably displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 2014, where it was awarded a number of accolades. Additionally, in winter 2009-2010, 0704 TR was featured as the cover car of Cavallino magazine’s issue #174.
“The historical significance of 0704 TR cannot be emphasized enough, especially as it is the sole surviving unrestored Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa in existence,” said Gooding & Company President and Co-Founder, David Gooding. “The private sale of this Testa Rossa is among the most important transactions of any classic Ferrari to take place in recent years, and we’re proud to have played a key role in this exchange. From its incredible competition history to its remarkably well-preserved, unrestored condition, 0704 TR is one of a small handful of cars surviving in nearly untouched status, evoking the golden era of Ferrari’s racing empire.” About Gooding & Company Gooding & Company is celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, private brokerage, and unparalleled service in the international collector car market, achieving over $2.75 billion in sales since the company’s inception. The auction house continues to deliver market-leading results through both its live auctions and Geared Online platform, setting new trends and world records with best-of-category cars across numerous verticals. Gooding & Company consistently presents the highest quality consignments while operating with openness and integrity, providing the company a reputation of trust and respect unmatched in the industry. Offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management, the auction house is ready to assist you with numerous collector car services.
Media Inquiries: Pauline Pechakjian pauline@goodingco.com +1 (310) 383-7437
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