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Chassis:
Chassis 0666 was the very first 250 TR prototype and was based on 290 MM underpinnings. It made its competition debut at the Nurburgring where Masten Gregory showcased its potential. In the following months the car was mechanically and aerodynamically modified several times before it formed the mold for the familiar pontoon-fendered production 250 TRs. It can be easily distinguished from the later cars by its right-hand drive; all others were left-hand drive. Although it laid the foundations for one of Ferrari's most successful competition cars, chassis 0666 did not achieve many noteworthy results on the track. The 250 TR Prototipo's highest placing was second in the 1958 Buenos Aires 1000 km race. Later that year the car was sold to Luigi Chinetti, who entered it at Le Mans for Dan Gurney and Bruce Kessler. The latter had a massive accident and the car was sent back to Italy for a rebuilt. The following year it was raced some more in the United States but soon after was retired from contemporary racing.
Not much later the car was heavily damaged in a fire but fortunately enough was salvaged for a full restoration, which resulted in a 'Best in Class' at Pebble Beach in 1988. In the next few years many more awards were added to 0666's tally. Some years ago the current owner acquired the car and first raced it for several seasons before having it fully restored by Butch Dennison. Unique but correct touches like the scoops on the nose and the sliding second windscreen were added at this time. The finished result was once again awarded with a 'Best in Class' at Pebble. Shortly after the owner decided to add the American racing stripes that the car wore during the 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans, instantly making it one of the most attractive 250 TRs in existence. In 2009 the fabulous machine was named 'Best in Show' at the third annual Concours on the Avenue in Carmel.
After having had just two owners for over forty years, the unique 250 TR Prototipo was offered at Gooding & Co.'s 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Ahead of the sale we were told by the vendor that it would require a new record for the most expensive car sold at auction for the reserve to be met. At the time the record was held by a 'regular' 250 TR, which had changed hands for well over $12 million back in 2009. The vendor was proven more than right as the unique Prototipo found a new owner for a staggering $16.4 million, shattering the record by no less than $4 million.
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