1963 Ferrari TR59/60 Recreation

Each week La Ferrari brings you a featured Ferrari from around the world

This week,s Featured Ferrari is For sale at CTS Auctions Australia



This Stunning Recreation is to be sold by Auction on the 5th December 2009
The inaugural auction takes place in Sydney on December 5th, 2009.
Doors open 5.30pm and the Auction Commences at 6.30pm

For More information Contact CTS AUCTION AUSTRALIA
LOT 141
1963 Ferrari TR59/60 Recreation
5 Speed Manual
3967cc V12, sohc per bank
Engine No. 5005
Chassis No. 5005
Estimate: Refer Department

The Testa Rossa (literally translated, Red Head), represents one of the most important chapters in the Prancing Horse’s competition history. The first Ferrari with the famous red crackle finish on the cam covers was actually a 2-litre four-cylinder race car built in 1956, the 500 Testa Rossa, campaigned by privateers in all manner of sports car races around the world. In 1957 Ferrari began racing the 250 Testa Rossa (with the classic 3-litre V12 under the bonnet) in the World Sportscar Championship, and a number of these pontoon-fendered cars were sold to favoured customers in 1958. With the FIA’s switch to a new 3-litre formula, the Testa Rossa became Ferrari’s front-line weapon in sports car racing from 1958 to 1961 and completely dominated the series.

After winning Le Mans and the Championship in 1958 with Scaglietti-bodied cars, the 1959 models (restyled by Pininfarina and made by Fantuzzi of Modena) were beaten by Aston Martin and Stirling Moss in the final round at Goodwood. For 1960, the Testa Rossa was revised with independent rear suspension and taller windscreens to meet the FIA’s new rules. A crushing performance at Le Mans, capturing all but one of the top seven places, ensured Maranello reclaimed the Sportscar crown. Driven by all the top pilots of the day, including Phil Hill, Olivier Gendebien, Dan Gurney, the Rodriguez brothers and Von Trips, the TR59/60s remain one of the most beautiful, successful and significant Ferraris of all.



The original history of serial number ‘5005’ is quite intriguing. The Ferrari started life as a 330 America, an interim model based on the 250 GTE with the larger 4-litre V12 engine, one of just 50 made before the new 330 GT 2+2 was launched in 1964. Delivered into the United States through Luigi Chinetti, the Ferrari was reputedly raced in SCCA events by Truitt Helmsman and wound up crashed. Many years later the Ferrari was transformed into a recreation of the 1959/60 250 Testa Rossa by Norwood Autocraft of Texas. Better known for his race cars, Bob Norwood also built high quality Ferrari replicas, including four TR59s in 1981, using original Ferrari parts. In 1985 he turned out a small number of 330 P4 replicas and followed up with a 288 GTO that ran 267 mph at Bonneville, setting the record for the fastest Ferrari in the world.

This particular car was commissioned by well known Texas collector John Ridings Lee and featured accurate alloy bodywork made by a Kiwi, Robin Officer. The Ferrari factory apparently supplied drawings to provide a pattern for the body and it closely mimics Fantuzzi’s glorious lines.



Great attention was paid to getting the details right, with a six carburetor manifold set-up copied from one in the famous Violati collection in Italy to ensure the V12 looked just right. The instruments include a proper 10,000 rpm competition tacho. Ridings Lee used the car at numerous Ferrari Club America events and won multiple awards over the years, having it maintained by Bob Smith, one of America’s best Ferrari mechanics.

Later part of the Gene Ponder collection in Marshall, Texas the car eventually found its way to Australia and is now in fantastic condition after some recent fettling. The four-litre engine, topped by six Webers, has loads of torque, making the TR59/60 an amazing thing to drive. With the recent sale at the Maranello auction of an original pontoon-fendered Testa Rossa for a price in excess of $15 million (the original ex-works TR59/60 cars are worth even more), this car offers all the sights and sounds of the real thing at a fraction of the price.

Sold with NSW registration number TR 1959 (Expires 12.2009) if sold to a NSW based buyer.