Ferrari Testa Rossa

RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's made history in Maranello as a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR, chassis no. 0714TR sold for $16,225,962 at the third annual Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event to set a new world record for the most expensive motor car ever to be sold at auction.

Returning to its Maranello birthplace for its auction debut, the $16,225,062 sale price represents $3,561,599 more than the previous auction world record which was set at the same sale last year.

"The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world - both in the room and on the telephone - competed to secure one of the most alluring and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars," said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe.

The beautiful and immediately recognisable Scaglietti-designed 'pontoon-fender' 250 TR was produced from 1957 to 1958 during which only 22 examples were constructed.

Source: JUST CARS, July 2009, Collectors Issue #161