RM to offer 1958 Ferrari 250 TR at Monterey auction

1958 Ferrari 250 TR #0738 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The various auctions that happen during the Monterey car week have been slowly releasing the list of cars that will be up for bid, and from the looks of it there should be some very impressive automobiles finding new owners. A new addition to that list is a 1958 Ferrari 250 TR being sold through RM Auctions, perhaps topping Mecum's 1959 Ferrari 250 GT TdF as the most significant car available. In fact, RM is calling the car the most important ever offered at its Monterey auction, which is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.

This particular TR is just one of 21 "Pontoon Fender" 250 Testarossas ever built. It has an extensive racing history in South America, and for the past 14 years has competed in various vintage racing events. While it might not reach the record-breaking $12.2 million paid for another 250 TR last year, we expect a very healthy seven figure price tag. Hit the jump for the press release from RM and browse through the high-res image gallery below.


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[Source: RM Auctions]

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A rare 1958 Ferrari 250 'Pontoon Fender' Testa Rossa, serial number 0738 TR, will be presented at RM Auctions' 25th anniversary Sports & Classics of Monterey event in August, making it the most significant and valuable motor car ever offered during Monterey's famed collector car auction week.

Considered one of the most highly-sought-after and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars, the beautiful and unmistakable Scaglietti-designed 'Pontoon Fender' 250 Testa Rossa was produced from 1957 to 1958 during which only 21 were constructed, including 0738 TR. Delivered new to Brazilian Jean-Louis Lacerda Soares, 0738 TR was raced for several seasons in South America under the Esquardari Largatixa banner where it recorded a number of successful finishes. For the past 14 years its current owner, a gentleman racer, has extensively campaigned 0738 TR in its yellow and green Brazilian racing colors, recording numerous wins and podium finishes at the world's most prestigious historic racing events. (Estimate Available Upon Request).

"RM's recent record-breaking Monaco sale coupled with the steadily improving economic climate demonstrates the ideal time for the debut of this rare and coveted Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at auction in Monterey this August," says Rob Myers, Chairman and CEO, RM Auctions. "In May 2009, during a period many considered the depths of the global recession, RM set the current world record price for a car sold at auction with another pontoon-fender TR selling for $12.4 million. That result was a true testament to the demand for these iconic Ferraris and is indicative of the strong potential for this example to set yet another auction record."

Continuing RM's global leadership in the presentation of historic Ferraris at auction – holding seven of the top 10 all-time auction records for the marque – 0738 TR is joined by no less than 22 other exceptional vintage Ferraris in Monterey. Notable entries include: a highly-desirable, covered headlamp 1959 Ferrari LWB California Spyder, s/n 1489 GT, (Est. $2,750,000 - $3,250,000) delivered new to Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia; a rare 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica, s/n 1323 SA, (Est. $1,600,000 - $2,200,000) one of only 12 Series III Superamericas built; a fully-restored 1957 Ferrari 250 Pininfarina Spyder Series I, s/n 0979 GT, (Est. $1,600,000 - $1,900,000); and a stunning, multi-award-winning 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast, s/n 8565 (Est. $800,000 - $1,000,000).

In addition to this stellar selection of Ferraris, RM's Sports & Classics of Monterey sale presents an unparalleled collection of blue-chip automotive marques, from sports and racing to the best of American classics and European coachbuilt automobiles. For a full list of auction offerings, visit www.rmauctions.com/montereycarlist or call +1 519 352 4575.

For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available, and the auction will stream live online at www.rmauctions.com, providing real-time coverage of the event.

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