The 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa (so-named after its red, crackle-finish cylinder head) won on its debut at that year’s Monza 1000km Supercortemaggiore. On that weekend it was a works entry driven by Collins/Hawthorn, but in privateers' hands soon became a potent, easy to drive entry at sports car races worldwide.

At its 20 - 21 January, Scottsdale AZ sale, California-based auctioneers Gooding & Company will offer chassis 0650MDTR, raced in period Stateside by famous drivers John von Neumann, Bruce Kessler and Pete Lovely. The four-cylinder 500 TR soon became a highly competitive runner in the two-litre class, with the possibility of giant-killing when more highly tuned, bigger capacity cars dropped out. In 2.5-litre form (as a 625 LM) a similar car finished 3rd overall at Le Mans in 1956.

Although this car was raced from one side of the States to the other (tracks such Pomona, Lime Rock, Riverside, Paramount, Palm Springs and Laguna Seca) a 500 Testa Rossa is eligible for all the world’s premier historic events including the Le Mans Classic (to be run in 2012, note...) and the Goodwood Revival.

The ‘Testa Rossa’ name was reprised a year later when Ferrari once again used red cylinder heads, this time on the immortal 250 Testa Rossa, a 3-litre V12.

Gooding’s 1956 500 TR is estimated at $2,100,000 - $2,600,000.

In addition to the delightful sports racer, other early entries from the Maranello marque include a 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast ($950,000 - $1,250,000) and the stunning 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Comp. Speciale you see above. Price: On Request.

For further information, visit www.goodingco.com.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Copyright and courtesey of Gooding & Company / Pawel Litwinski / Scott Nidermaier