The 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider is a rare example and one of Ferrari's most beautiful racing cars. This is one of 19 500 TRC Spiders and it goes up for auction next month and its value could reach $10 million.
Auctioneer RM Sotheby's will have this 500 TRC Spider as part of their next auction taking place at Monterey Car Week. Interested parties will not have the easy task of bidding for a rare vehicle like this, as bids can reach eight figures.
The 500 TRC Spider is a more refined version of the 500 TR, which was the first Ferrari to adopt the Testa Rossa name. Nineteen units were produced in 1956 and 1957, all for private customers. It was built in Scaglietti-style bodywork with a larger cockpit than its predecessor, in addition to working doors and windshield, two features conspicuously absent from the 500 TR.
The car was equipped with an in-line four-cylinder engine designed by engineer Aurelio Lampredi. Despite not having the long-block V-12 of the brand's other racing cars, it was strong enough to propel the vehicle and achieve much success on the track, including a class victory at Le Mans in 1957.
This particular 500 TRC, the penultimate example to be built, left the factory in April 1957 with chassis number 0706 MDTR. The car was acquired by a notable collector in 2014. Its original paintwork was in blue and white, when it was restored it was painted in the most classic racing colors in red and black with a thin white stripe separating the colors.
In addition to being very beautiful, this 500 TRC has a particular history rich in races and podiums. Although he didn't have a very famous start as he had to withdraw from Le Mans in 1957 because of a water pump failure, he won two SCCA E-Modified championships in 1958 and 1959. Between 1957 and 1963 he competed in about 30 races, in 18 of them he reached the podiums. Of course, he hasn't raced for decades, but he's become a wonderful representative at classic car shows in the US.
For lovers of classics this is undoubtedly a beautiful and desirable example, but to get it you will have to spend a lot. RM Sotheby's expects this car to fetch between $8 million and $10 million at the Monterey Conference Center the weekend of August 19th.
