All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Auctions

1958 Ferrari 250 “Pontoon Fender” Testa Rossa is up for auction

The Testa Rossa was the most successful sports racing car in Ferrari’s illustrious history, securing four World Championships and four overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1958 to 1962. In 1957, Ferrari, in cooperation with Italian coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti, began production of 19 special examples of the Ferrari 250 “Pontoon Fender” Testa Rossa. It is an extraordinary collector’s car, and one example of the 1958 Ferrari 250 “Pontoon Fender” Testa Rossa is up for auction.

The development of the Testa Rossa model was gradual, and after a lot of experimentation Ferrari decided on a 3.0-liter “Red Head” engine and a Scaglietti spider body also known as the “Pontoon Fender”. These examples have become among the most famous cars that Ferrari has ever built, and the desire of many collectors.

This example with chassis 0738 TR was ordered in 1958 by Jean-Louis Lacerda Soares of Sao Paolo through the Official Central and South American Ferrari Concessionaire Carlos Kauffman in Caracas. As a member of the Scuderia Lagartix team, he used the car in races, and in two years he achieved multiple victories and half-a-dozen podium finishes.

In 1961, the car was bought by Giorgio Moroni, who sent it to Italy, where a new 250 GTO-style body was created by Piero Drogo. After that, in 1965, Moroni sold the car to Claudio Klabin, who continued to use it in races. Until 2010, when it stopped being used in vantage races, the car changed several more owners.

In 2013, the car was sent for a full restoration where it was restored to its original body. The work was done by Ferrari Classiche, which issued its all-important Red Book, confirming that this is one of the few remaining examples that has retained both its original engine and gearbox. The restoration cost more than 650,000 euros.

Many collectors and car enthusiasts consider the Ferrari 250 “Pontoon Fender” Testa Rossa to be the ultimate Ferrari. This is an ideal and rare opportunity that collectors should not miss.

The auction will take place on February 21-23, 2024.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1958 Ferrari 250 "Pontoon Fender" Testa Rossa is up for auction
Auctions

2007 Porsche 911 997.1 GT3 RS is up for auction

In 1999, Porsche presented a high-performance homologation model of the Porsche 911, the Porsche 911 GT3. It was an extremely successful racing car, and in 2006 Porsche presented the boldest generation of this model, the 911 997.1 GT3 RS. It was produced until 2009, and 1,168 units left the production line, of which 410 units were sold in the United States. One of them, the 2007 Porsche 911 997.1 GT3 RS is up for auction.

This GT3 RS is powered by a 3.6-liter Mezger flat-six with factory 415 hp (309 kW) and 299 lb-ft (405 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transaxle and a limited-slip differential. The engine is equipped with VarioCam variable valve timing, titanium connecting rods and dry sump lubrication.

The car is finished in Carrara White (only 39 examples have this color), and is in good condition with only 3,289 miles on the odometer. It is equipped with a carbon-fiber rear wing, wider quarter panels, bi-xenon headlights, black wing end caps, twin center-exit exhaust outlets, Porsche-branded calipers over ceramic-composite rotors, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) featuring adjustable coilovers.

Inside, hard-back sport seats are upholstered in black leather and Alcantara, while the optional leather-wrapped thicker steering wheel frames a central GT3-branded tachometer with an 8,400-rpm redline, a 225-mph speedometer, and auxiliary gauges. Additional equipment includes the Carbon Interior Package, Speed Yellow seatbelts, a CDR24 stereo, automatic climate control, cruise control, and illuminated GT3 RS-branded carbon-fiber door sill guards.

The car has a clean US Carfax report that shows no accidents or other damage. Comes with a build sheet, service records, a car cover, one key, and a clean Ontario registration.

The auction ends on February 9 and the highest bid at the time of writing was $205,000 USD.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

2007 Porsche 911 997.1 GT3 RS is up for auction
News

2024 Lancia Ypsilon

After offering only one model for years, the Italian manufacturer Lancia will present a special limited edition, the Ypsilon Cassina. It is a car that will be produced in 1906 units, and will be offered as a hybrid and fully electric. It will be premiered on February 14th.

In the released teasers, we saw that the new Lancia Ypsilon took several design elements from the Pu+Ra HPE concept, including a front fascia, Stratos-inspired taillights, front spoiler-mounted headlights and some glossy black details.

The interior of the new Ypsilon is upholstered in dark blue leather and fabric and was made in cooperation with the Cassino company. It is equipped with the multimedia system SALA (Sound Air Light Augmentation), a fully digital instrument panel integrated into a unique module together with a multimedia screen.

When it comes to the powertrain, there isn’t much information. Given that it is built on the architecture of the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa, it will most likely have a 54 kWh battery and a 156 hp (116 kW) electric motor. Also, it will have a range of 403 kilometers on a single charge.

Source: Lancia

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2024 Lancia Ypsilon Cassina