22.08.2011 FERRARI 250 TESTA ROSSA PROTOTYPE SETS NEW WORLD RECORD AT PEBBLE BEACH

1957 FERRARI 250 TESTA ROSSA PROTOTYPE - 2011 GOODING & CO PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION

Auctioneers Gooding & Company made history over the weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance by selling the unique 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype for an outstanding world record price of $16.39 million.

Auctioneers Gooding & Company made history over the weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance by selling the unique 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype for an outstanding world record price of $16.39 million.

Recognised for its historical significance and design, the auction of the Scaglietti-bodied, pontoon-fendered 250 Testa Rossa Prototype mesmerised thousands of people in the Pebble Beach auction room as well as around the world via Gooding & Company's live webcast.

Energized with excitement after the Testa Rossa arrived on stage with a thunderous engine growl, the crowd cheered when Auctioneer Charlie Ross accepted the commanding first bid of $10 million. As the audience watched in amazement, both Charlie Ross and David Gooding entertained the steadily-escalating bids that soared past major benchmarks of $12 million, $13 million and $14 million. When the gavel finally dropped, there was a roar of enthusiasm confirming Gooding & Company's outstanding $16.39 million world record achievement.

In fact six of the ten top bids accepted in Gooding & Co's Saturday night sale were all for historic Ferrari models. After the 250 Testa Rossa Prototype ($16,390,000) topped the bidding came a 250 GT LWB California ($3,355,000). The fourth highest price went to a 375 Vignale Coupa ($2,200,000) while in sixth place was a 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider ($1,025,000). That was followed by a 275 GTB (1,001,000) while in eighth place was a 195 Inter Berlinetta ($990,000). Also making the top ten lots, in equal eighth place, was a Fiat "Scuderia Ferrari" factory team transporter which fetched $990,000.

Collectors interest in historic Ferraris at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was set to continue into the second night of Gooding & Co's sales, taking place on Sunday night, with two more famous Maranello sports cars readying themselves for the limelight: An all-original 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy Long Nose (lot no. 113) and a preservation class 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series II Coupe (lot no. 135) were both expected to attract much attention.

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