1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider

 

           1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider 

 

Stop the press! On May 21st 2011 RM Auction has featured one of the most impressive cars of all the time: a Ferrari 500 TRC Spider. The car was estimated to an impressive €2.600.000-€3.300.000 (or about $3,600,000 to $4,700,000 at the current exchange rates) and sold for a total of €2.800.000 - or about $3,990,000. This was one of the finest examples in existence with known ownership and successful racing history. The car is rarer than 250 TR and 250 GTO.

The 500 TRC was one of the most aesthetically beautiful, brilliantly engineered and efficient sports racing cars offered by Ferrari. It was revealed in 1957 and in the same year it claimed an impressive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Another 500 TRC claimed a class win at the 1958 Targa Florio.

The 500 TRC was a modified version of the 500 TR (Testa Rossa) revealed in 1956 as a successor to the 500 Mondial. The car was created in order to obey the new FIA regulations that were introduced for the 1957 season.

Hit the jump to read more about the Ferrari 500 TRC Spider.

The exterior and the interior

The 500 TRC Spider is defined by clean and elegant lines and is regarded as one of the most beautiful sports racing Ferraris ever built. It marked the end of an era at Ferrari.

The car, which of course was designed by Scaglietti, was about 10 centimeters lower than the 500 TR. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful and seductive Ferrari racing spiders ever built.

The engine

The car is being built on a chassis Type 518 C and engine Type 131 C. Motor, gearbox and transmission were identical to the 500 TR. One of the primary differences between the TRC and the first Mondial, in addition to reduced weight, was the rear axle: a coil sprung rigid axle instead of the deDion variety.

The 500 TRC was powered by a two-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers an impressive 190 HP. The 500 TRC was the last four-cylinder sports racing car and was replaced by the 12-cylinder 250 Testa Rossa, which despite being more powerful was produced in greater numbers.

Prices

The car will be put on auction by RM Auctions on may 21st and is estimated to an impressive €2.600.000-€3.300.000 (or about $3,600,000 to $4,700,000 at the current exchange rates).