Ferrari TR
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
|
| Ferrari Testa Rossa | |
|---|---|
1961 250 TR Spyder Fantuzzi Serenissima (Ralph Lauren collection)
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ferrari[1] |
| Production | 1957-1958[1] |
| Assembly | Maranello [1] |
| Designer | Scaglietti[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | Spyder |
| Layout | FMR layout[1] |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2953.21 cc [2] V12[1] |
| Transmission | 4 speed manual transmission + reverse [1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,350 mm (92.5 in)[1] |
| Length | 3,959 mm (155.9 in) [1] |
| Width | 1,523 mm (60.0 in) [1] |
| Curb weight | 800 kg (dry) [2] |
The Ferrari TR, or 250 Testa Rossa, is a race car model built by Ferrari in the 1950s and 1960s. They were introduced at the end of the 1957 season in preparation for the regulations restricting sports cars to 3 litres for Le Mans and World Sports Car Championship races from 1958. These cars dominated their competitors, with variations winning 10 World Sports Car Championship races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958, 1960, and 1961, the Sebring 12 Hours in 1958, 1959 and 1961, the Targa Florio in 1958, the Buenos Aires 1000Km in 1958 and 1960 and the Pescara 4 Hours in 1961. These results led to World Sports Car Championship titles in 1958, 1960 and 1961 with only the Aston Martin DBR1 defeating the Testa Rossa at the Nurburgring in 1958, and at Le Mans, the Nurburgring, Tourist Trophy and the World Championship in 1959. The TR was closely related to the rest of the Ferrari 250 line, sharing many key components with other 250 models.
Rarity[edit]
In all, thirty-four 250 Testa Rossas were built, from 1956 through 1961. The phrase "Testa Rossa" means "red head", a reference to the red-painted valve covers on the cylinder heads of the engine. The most well known, the 250TR, was produced from 1957 to 1958; only 2 factory cars and 19 customer cars were built. After the 250 GTO, the 250 Testa Rossa is considered the second most valuable Ferrari model, often with valuations of more than US $8,000,000. A 1957 250 Testa Rossa sold on August 20, 2011 for $16,400,000, a new world record auction price for a car when inflation is ignored.[3] In the mid 1960s, though, the TR, along with several similar models, were valued much less and often sold for as low as $4,000.
-
1958 250 Testa Rossa from the Ralph Lauren collection
-
1959 Ferrari TR 59/60 Fantuzzi Spyder
-
Ferrari 250 TR V-12 engine]]
250 Testa Rossa[edit]
Named for the red valve covers, the original 250 TR had unorthodox bodywork by Scaglietti. The front fenders are visually separated from the central "nacelle" body, a design inspired by Formula One racers, with air ducting across the front brakes and out through the open area behind the wheels. This model is often called the "Pontoon" TR. Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the pontoon bodywork replaced by more orthodox bodywork in 1958.
250 TR[edit]
The 250 TR's aerodynamic "coke bottle" design was successful in racing but nonetheless controversial: Ferrari began changing the look soon after its production. Other, more conventional bodies were designed by Ferrari stalwarts, Pininfarina and Carrozzeria Touring. The engine had the same displacement as the rest of the 250 series but was tuned to produce far more power. The front styling of the 250 TR61 pictured served as inspiration to the Ferrari F430 road car.
The 250 TR lines of 1960 and 1961 were dominant racers – Olivier Gendebien took Le Mans again those two years, with Paul Frère in 1960 and Phil Hill in 1961.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Derrick, Martin; Clay, Simon (2013). Million Dollar Classics: The World's Most Expensive Cars. Chartwell Books. ISBN 978 0 7858 3051 1.
- ^ a b "Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa". Ferrari GT - en-EN. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
- ^ Greg Wilson. "Ferrari Auctioned for Record $16.4 Million". nbcbayarea. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
