The “pontoon-fender” 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (TR), widely regarded as one of the most desirable of Ferrari sports racing cars, fetched €9,020,000 (£7,965,728) – a new auction world record as the most expensive car ever to be sold at auction.
At the auction, which took place at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy, chassis number 0714TR - one of only 22 “pontoon fender” 250 Testa Rossas made – eclipsed a line-up of some of the most stunning and sought-after road and racing Ferraris. Telegraph.co.uk
In a sign that there are some people to whom the global economic crisis doesn’t apply, RM Auctions says it expects the ‘57 race car to smash the current world record for the most expensive classic motor car.
That belongs to the owner of a 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spyder, who paid more than 7million ($16.3million) for the classic car at the same event last year. WA today
“The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world - both in the room and on the telephone - competed to secure one of the most alluring ... Ferrari racing cars,” said Max Girardo, RM Europe managing director.
The mystery buyer now has one of only 22 of the “pontoon fender” model. The two-seater Testa Rossa took part in 19 international championship races from 1958 to 1961, winning 10 of them.
Despite the coup, however, not every lot in the auction sold. A 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 racing car failed to make its reserve, despite attracting a bid of £6.4m, and the 1956 Maserati 250F which Stirling Moss drove to victory at the Monaco Grand Prix listened in vain for a hammer fall even after bids of more than £1.3m were offered. guardian.co.uk
“There were some disappointments,” said Dan Abernethy of Sotheby’s auction house, which produced the event with RM, “but all in all it was a very strong event.”
Perhaps an example of what Mr. Abernethy was referring to was a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 racecar that failed to make its reserve price (the minimum amount at which its seller was willing to let it go) despite earning a bid of €7.25 million. That would have actually broken last year’s record price, too. Auction officials said they were continuing to meet with the high bidder and seller to make a deal. “They were very close,” Ms. Christie said. New York Times
