Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Re-Creation

This Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa re-creation was constructed in the 1980s by DK Engineering in the UK and features aluminum coachwork in the style of the early bodywork of Ferrari’s factory 250 TR prototype. Based on the shortened chassis of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE, the car was purchased by the seller in 2016 and subsequently refurbished with work involving a color change to blue with red and white accents as well as a refresh of the interior in red leather upholstery. Power is supplied by a 3.0-liter Colombo V12 that is equipped with six dual-throat Weber carburetors, red-painted valve covers, and twin distributors, while shifting is via a four-speed manual transmission. It rides on 16″ Borrani knock-off wire wheels and is further equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, coil-spring suspension, and a riveted aluminum fuel tank. The right-hand-drive cockpit houses seating for two accompanied by Sabelt latch-and-link lap belts and a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel. This 250 TR re-creation is now offered with refurbishment photos and a clean California title in the seller’s name listing the car as a 1961 Ferrari.

Development of the 250 Testa Rossa, or “red head,” began in the spring of 1957 as Ferrari sought to create a successor to the 500 TRC in anticipation of lower displacement limits that would soon be imposed by the Commissione Sportiva Internazionale. The first 250 TR prototype was assembled on a 290 MM chassis with an enveloped body and power from Ferrari’s Colombo V12. The original prototype, chassis 0666, was rebodied in late 1957 with pontoon-fendered coachwork designed to facilitate brake cooling.

This re-creation’s aluminum body was inspired by the enveloped styling initially worn by chassis 0666 and is said to have been constructed in the 1980s by DK Engineering. It was previously finished in red and underwent bodywork prior to a color change to blue with red and white accents performed in 2016. Scuderia Ferrari-style decals are adhered to the front fenders, while Carrozzeria Scaglietti badging is located adjacent to the trapezoidal fender vents. Features include a headrest fairing through which the fuel filler cap can be accessed as well as faired-in Marchal headlights, a wrap-around windscreen, a ventilated hood bulge, and a right-side mirror.

Borrani 15″ wire wheels are secured by three-eared knock-offs and wear 185/80 Michelin Pilote X tires. A spare wrapped in Dunlop rubber is housed in the rear compartment atop the riveted aluminum fuel tank. The four-wheel disc brakes were disassembled and serviced in 2016.

The cockpit is configured in right-hand drive and was refreshed under current ownership with replacement interior panels, seat pans, and red leather upholstery with white piping over the two-place seating. Sound-deadening material lines the floors, which are topped by black carpets with red bindings. Sabelt latch-and-link lap belts are equipped for both occupants, and additional appointments include a polished shift knob, a diamond-stitched central tunnel cover, and a bullet-style dash-mounted rearview mirror.

The wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel fronts a central 10k-rpm Jaeger tachometer flanked by Ferrari-branded gauges monitoring voltage, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The car is not equipped with an odometer, and true chassis mileage is unknown.

The 3.0-liter Colombo V12 is noted to have been sourced from the donor 250 GTE and is fitted with six dual-throat Weber carburetors, each topped by a pair of intake trumpets as well as red-painted valve covers. Dual electric cooling fans were installed during the refurbishment project.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. A replacement dual exhaust system with quadruple outlets was installed under current ownership, per the seller.

Photos documenting various stages of the refurbishment completed in 2016 are shown in the gallery below.