...my "redhead"...even though black, was designed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. And I'd say that of all the Scaglietti concoctions, the pontoon fendered 1957 Ferrari 250 TR is his best work of art.
If you can't see art, beauty and God in this machine, then I question whether or not you have a soul. Art and beauty live everywhere...if you view the world through the right lens.
One of the many things that intrigues me about this beauty is the 300hp 12 cylinder engine. Intrigue but not surprise...Enzo Ferrari's passion...his strategy...was racing.
Commercialization of Ferrari was a utilitarian move neccesary to raise the dosh for racing. The lovely shrouding created by Scaglietti was an afterthought of the Enzo heart. The powerhouse was his passion.
And the scale of the car becomes obvious when you see a driver strapped in. Twelve cylinders and three hundred horses make this one of the most beautiful death-traps imaginable.
The fact that this, my Testarossa, sold at auction two years ago for twelve million dollars is testament to the passion that Ferrari arouses. Pontoon passion. Shut up.
Here's some of the back story on this beauty..."In December 1957, this car was delivered to its first owner, racing driver and future coachbuilder, Piero Drogo in Modena, Italy. Drogo debuted the car as a privateer in the celebrated 1000 km Buenos Aires in January 1958 with a respectable fourth place finish competing with such legendary drivers as Phil Hill, Peter Collins, Wolfgang von Trips and Olivier Gendebien. Following entries in the Grand Prix of Cuba and Portugal, the car was sold by American Ferrari agent Luigi Chinetti to Texas rancher and entrepreneur Alan Connell whose competitive driving skills and affluence afforded him several wins on the 1959 North American racing circuit. 0714TR continued its prowess on the track with subsequent owners and competed in its last professional race in June 1963 at the Elkhart Lake 500."
Seeing the fuel lines running so close to the hand crafted leather shroudings kinda makes me think about cashmere and silk draped across ones chest. Elegant coverings laid within inches of arterial lifelines.
Functional leather hood straps. I won't be buckling these any time soon.
True to the Scaglietti passion for elegant detail...red leather seats.
A spare strapped in.
Knockoff wheel spinners that work. Yes, I'm a child. Shut up.
Come on over. See my etchings. And if you play your cards right, I'll take you for a ride in my car. And please, if anyone can arrange a test drive for me...please.
The Auction...when was the last time you watched twelve million bucks being spent?
Onward. Reveling in cars...till L.F(errari)G. wakes.
ADG II
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