Race-correct Testa Rossa up for grabs in May

The Testa Rossa is “the most significant and desirable Ferrari to be offered on the world’s auction stage,” said RM Auctions, which will be holding its May 17 “Ferrari Leggenda e Passione” sale in association with Sotheby’s.

The record price for any car at auction was set in May last year when the UK television and radio host Chris Evans paid 7 million euros ($10.9 million) with fees for a black 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. The sale at Maranello was also run by RM Auctions in association with Sotheby’s. The Ferrari had formerly been owned by the movie actor James Coburn.

“It’s more valuable than the California Spyder,” RM Auctions specialist Peter Wallman said. “It’s more desirable. Far fewer of them were made, this example has a race provenance and it’s widely recognized as one of the most beautiful Ferrari racing cars ever built. Lots of people have heard of the Testa Rossa. It’s legendary.”

Ferrari produced the 250 Testa Rossa from 1957 to 1958. Only 22 were made. This particular example dates from 1957 and is presented in its “race-correct” black livery with red nose. It was last raced in 1963, RM said in an e-mailed statement. Bloomberg