An extraordinary 1957 Ferrari 625 TRC Spider by Scaglietti will be a highlight at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on August 16, 2024. With an estimated value between $9,000,000 and $11,000,000, this rare and iconic sports car promises to draw significant attention from collectors and enthusiasts.
Chassis No. 0680 MDTR: A Racing Legend
Chassis No. 0680 MDTR is one of only two examples factory-equipped with the larger 2.5-liter engine, making it the ultimate version of the early Testa Rossas. Renowned for its stunning design and racing prowess, this car was originally owned and driven by John von Neumann, a pivotal figure in bringing Ferrari to California. Von Neumann, an influential Ferrari distributor and racing impresario, achieved 21 top-three finishes, including 10 overall or class victories, with this car among over 40 period races.
Currently fitted with a roaring 3-liter Colombo short-block V-12 engine, the car comes with its original matching-numbers 625-specification engine. This Ferrari’s ownership history is well-documented, including a 30-year period of meticulous care by a single owner. The car is also accompanied by period photos, letters, and excerpts from Cavallino magazine, highlighting its historical significance.
John von Neumann: A Key Figure in Ferrari’s American Story
John von Neumann, born in Austria in 1921, played a crucial role in establishing Ferrari’s presence in North America. After emigrating to New York in 1939 and later moving to Los Angeles, von Neumann became a significant player in the sports car scene. He founded Ferrari Representatives of California in 1957, contributing to Ferrari’s commercial success in the United States. Von Neumann’s connection to Ferrari is also credited with the development of the legendary 250 California Spider.
The 625 TRC: A Testament to Ferrari’s Racing Heritage
The Ferrari 625 TRC was designed in response to the FIA’s 1956 regulations, which limited prototype class engines to 2.5 liters. Enzo Ferrari combined Lampredi’s successful Tipo 625 Grand Prix engine with the 500 Testa Rossa chassis, resulting in a car that excelled in both performance and aesthetics. Scaglietti’s design for the 625 TRC is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made, with only 19 constructed.
A Storied Racing Career
Completed on June 26, 1957, chassis 0680 MDTR was delivered to von Neumann in Europe, where it competed in the European Mountain Championship. The car achieved notable successes before being shipped to California, where it became a fixture in the local racing scene. Its North American debut at Laguna Seca in November 1957 saw von Neumann secure a 2nd-place finish.
Over the years, the car was driven by notable racers like Richie Ginther and Ken Miles, and von Neumann himself. It continued to race successfully throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, eventually changing hands several times before being meticulously restored by Dr. Michael Callaham in the 1980s.
A Coveted Collector’s Item
Today, the 625 TRC is a prized collector’s item, with its original 2.5-liter engine reunited with the car after decades apart. The car’s restoration was performed to an exceptionally high standard, making it both a competitive vintage racer and a potential star at prestigious concours events.
THE ANNUAL RETURN TO MONTEREY CAR WEEK, WHERE EXEMPLARY, REMARKABLE, AND RARE ARE THE RULE WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS
Fewer collaborations or duos as notable as, say, Laurel and Hardy, Schumacher and Ferrari, or even Mercedes-Benz and AMG grace our paths. But one dynamic duo continues its annual return to California’s Monterey Peninsula for its 27th year: Monterey Car Week and RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction held on August 15-17.
2023’s auction brought the much-storied Lost and Found Collection, the ultimate barn find of 20 Ferraris lost to time, including the 1954 Ferrari Mondial Spider Series I by Pinin Farina, which as the second Mondial ever made, even in its stripped-down and fire-stricken condition, made waves in the automotive circles and press when it earned 1.875 million at auction.
Over the course of the 2023 Monterey Car Week, RM Sotheby’s sold five of the top 10 selling cars of the week– more than any other auction house on the peninsula. It further solidifies our commitment to bringing to market pristine and exemplary automobiles as the world’s leading auction house, during a week dedicated to showcasing the very best of the best. Find us again at the Monterey Conference Center for another year of exceptional offerings crossing the block.
AUCTION LOCATION
Monterey Conference Center
1 Portola Plaza
Monterey, CA 93940
PUBLIC PREVIEW
Admission to Public Preview is $60 per person for the weekend. Passes can be purchased onsite at the entrance to the plaza.
Admission to Public Preview is free for onsite bidders, consignors, and qualified media.
Elizabeth Puckett