VIDEO (sort of): Multi-million dollar Ferrari 250 TR crashing at Monterey Historics
1958 Ferrari 250 TR post crash at Laguna Seca - click image above to watch the "video"
Some of us weren't able to attend the Monterey Historic races over the weekend, but the first thing we heard once the laptop spooled up was that a very expensive Ferrari 250 TR smacked into a bunch of tires at Laguna Seca. This has turned into the crash heard 'round the world for a few simple reasons. Make that thirty four reasons, to be exact. That's right Ferrari only made 34 250 Testa Rossas from 1956 to 1961. Actually, let's just make that 21 reasons, as the 250 TR is the preferred version of the car, and only 19 customer cars and 2 racers were built between 1958 and 1959. And while a 1957 250 Testa Rossa just sold this past May for $12,200,000, making it the most expensive car, well, ever -- the 1958 TR that cashed this weekend is "only" worth about $8 million.
Our own meraviglioso photographer Drew Philips had Nikon in hand near Laguna's famed Corkscrew and was able to capture the tragic off-track excursion -- which is why we have these amazing photographs. In fact, Autoblog reader James Iovino was so smitten with Drew's work that he took all the individual photos and video-ized them. Which is not only a word we just made up, but pretty dang cool to watch. That is if watching a near-priceless Ferrari jump across gravel and slam into a bunch of dirty old tires can ever be cool. But hey, at least the TR got beat up on a race track instead resting in a garage during an earthquake. Besides, everything ought to buff right out. Full "video" after the jump. Thanks again to James Iovino for his handiwork!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Mazdamia 5:32PM (8/17/2009)
I felt sorry for that guy for a minute. But since he can afford the car and the repairs...I feel happy for him instead!
This car is on my "Win the lottery" list.
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James 8:36PM (8/17/2009)
Hey Jonny...This is old news.
Drew Philips beat you to this Monterey Ferrari fiasco buzz earlier today.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/monterey-2009-ferrari-250-tr-gets-airborn-makes-friends-with-t/
Mike P. 10:17PM (8/17/2009)
Though I'm sad to see it damaged like this, it's better than it being garage queened or couped up in a museum.
nzo 11:50PM (8/17/2009)
Yup exactly, it got damaged doing what it was meant to do. As sad as it is to see nice vehicles damaged, if they're damaged on the track, such is life!
Moose 12:26PM (8/18/2009)
@MikeP: my sentiments exactly. Its not an 8M dollar bill. Its a car, and although its sad to see this happen, better this than it just gathering dust, sitting in a garage somewhere for no one to see or appreciate.
Paul 2:11PM (8/18/2009)
This very Testarossa was virtually demolished at Laguna Seca in 1960, having to be pulled from a tree off the course. The gentleman here, David Love, bought it in 1964 (for virtually nothing), restored it and raced in SCCA against mid-engine cars from 65-68. He won at the very first Monterey Historic Races in 1974 and has raced this car hard for almost 45 years.
I think we can all tip our collective hat to the man and wish his steed a speedy recovery. It will be back.
BrokenMonkey 11:06PM (8/18/2009)
James, way to read the actual post. The point of this entry is that a video was made from the pictures that were posted previously. It's pretty clear if you were to just read the damn text, instead of jumping to the comments button.
focaldude 5:56PM (8/17/2009)
More money than brains. The repairs will cost more than most of us make in a year!!
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graveslids 6:13PM (8/17/2009)
And the car is worth more than most will make in a lifetime, it's all relative when dealing with super-rare classics or ridiculously pricey super-exotics. All said and done, he has to know what he has, has to know it's market value, from what I've read elsewhere has enjoyed "Giving it some stick" several times over in the past, and more-than-likely figured there should be no issue to giving it a go once more. But, as my father likes to say, "live by the sword, die by the sword", to which I'd respond in this instance, indeed, but atleast it's a hilt worth falling on.
Jung 9:52PM (8/17/2009)
I wonder how much the car value will depreciate by, since it's been in an accident...
Surely it can't be worth the same $8million even after the repair....
Rick 10:25PM (8/17/2009)
I'm sure all of the cars had been damaged at one point or another. Th TR is a race car, mean to be raced. I doubt it will lose any of its value.
That metal is going to be massaged back into shape. the only part that looks like ti needs replaced it the lens.
Josh 10:32PM (8/17/2009)
I'm sorry he was racing a race car on a race track? How is that more money than brains? Not his fault the brakes gave out on him and he flew off course, it sucks, but not really his fault.
I would much rather these cars go out and race rather than sit on a lawn all day looking pretty and not get driven more than a few miles a year.
I love that TR though :), absolutely gorgeous!
fermat1313 9:44AM (8/18/2009)
@Jung: Read the history of the car here: http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/DavidLove1.html
Basically, this car has been completely trashed already. This is minor and won't affect the value at all, assuming it is restored properly, which I think it will be.
andy.perez 8:12PM (8/17/2009)
Argh, the WRONG people own these cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am dying a little!
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kfj 8:15PM (8/17/2009)
because he was using the way the car should be used and the brakes failed?
andy.perez 8:28PM (8/17/2009)
I know, its pure jealousy, but it is all I have got
Pat 9:32AM (8/18/2009)
In order to live, man must believe in that for which he lives.
Huston Smith
verdegrrl 8:15PM (8/17/2009)
As a race car from the old days when going dirt farming was more common than it is now, this car was no doubt crashed a number of times in it's history. So what's the big deal if has another go around. It least it was being used as it was intended, when this happened.
Clearly the owner can afford to pay to have it fixed.
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Rcman0056 8:17PM (8/17/2009)
How could it be worth 8 Million. The brakes don't work which would bring it down a couple hundred thousand.
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Lemon 10:06PM (8/17/2009)
...brakes do wear out. Track days tend to contribute to that