Yesterday the 2009 Monterey Motoring Week officially got under way with the third annual Concours on the Avenue in the lovely town of Carmel by the Sea. Nearly 200 European and American machines lined up on Ocean Avenue for this unique event. A full report of the event will follow in the very near future but today we would like to kick off our Monterey coverage with a closer look at the Ferrari 250 TR Prototipo, which was not surprisingly voted Best in Show by the chief class judges.
Originally built in 1957 this unique machine served as the prototype for the legendary 'pontoon-fendered' 250 TRs that were raced on both sides of the Atlantic. The 'Prototipo' was raced in various guises before Ferrari and Sergio Scaglietti settled on the final shape and specification. Unlike the later cars, this 250 TR features right-hand drive and sports various other unusual touches like the intakes on the nose, the slide-out front windscreen and the American racing stripes. In competition the car was not particularly successful but it nevertheless played a vital role in forming the mold for the 250 TR racers that would go on to win Le Mans four times in five years.
Before taking top honours at Carmel, chassis 0666 had already taken class awards at Pebble Beach twice; in 1988 and after its most recent restoration in 2006. The car is by no means a 'trailer-queen' as the enthusiast owner races it regularly. In fact it will be raced later this week at the Monterey Historics. Fittingly our 18-shot feature gallery showcases the one-off 250 TR Prototipo both on the track and in the streets of Carmel.

Enjoy the links:

1957 Ferrari 250 TR Prototipo - Images, Specifications and Information