1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa could break auction record at Pebble Beach

Auction house Gooding & Co. will offer up two legendary sports-racing cars--a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype and a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Factory Team Car, one of which might set a record price for a car sold at auction--at Gooding's sale Aug. 20-21 during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

“Being in the presence of the 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa Prototype is a visceral and breathtaking experience unlike anything I've ever known,” says David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Co. “We will all witness a historic day when this incredible car--one of the greatest race cars of all time--crosses our stage in Pebble Beach this August.”

A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, sold by RM Auctions in May 2009 for $12,402,500, is currently the most expensive car sold at auction.

The 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Prototype, chassis No. 0666 TR, started as the prototype and test bed for the Testa Rossa line, which is arguably the most successful series of sports-racing cars in history. Based on the 290MM, the prototype TR was assembled in 1957 featuring the classic V12 engine, de Dion rear axle and right-hand drive.

The car debuted at the N

By Roger Hart