The phrase ‘Testa Rossa’ is one of the most evocative in automotive folklore. Its literal translation from Italian is ‘Red Head,’ which refer to the very famous red cam covers of Ferrari engines.

This particular car is a 1957 Ferrari 250TR, which was recently sold at an auction organized at the Ferrari factory in Maranello by RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, for a record breaking $12.2 million USD (Rs. 57 crores) – making it the most expensive car ever to be sold at an auction, and proving yet again that recessions truly are relative. The 250TR broke the record by about $1.5 million USD, set last year at the same auction by a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder.

This particular car, chassis # 0714TR, is number 4 of 34 original Testarossa’s built, and only 1 of 22 with the absolutely stunning pontoon fender front-end designed by legendary Ferrari coachbuilder, Scaglietti. This 250TR was a privateer car raced all over the world – the original owner, Pier Drogo, even finished 4th in the 1958 1000km Buenos Aires in Argentina.

The 250TR’s campaigned by the factory in 1958 proved unbeatable that year, and brought the 3rd consecutive World Sports Car Championship to Maranello by taking wins at the 1000km Buenos Aires in Argentina, the Sebring 12 hours in America, Le Mans in France, and the Targa Florio in Italy – being piloted by legendary drivers such as Phil Hill, Peter Collins, Wolfgang von Trips, and Olivier Gendebien.

The 250TR has a 2,953cc, V12 with six twin-Weber carburettors, producing 300bhp @ 7200rpm, with a redline at 8000rpm – remember this is in 1957. The robustness of this engine has been well proven by the legendary 250GT. With its pontoon front-end, the 250TR had been called a Formula 1 car with fenders. It truly is one of the most desirable racing cars of all time – justifying its $12.2 million USD price tag (only if you happen to have that kind of loot lying around of course).