RM Sotheby’s Monterey auctions are set to be headlined by a stunning 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’ which will be auctioned off.
Chassis number 0557GT, this 250 GT Tour de France is just the fifth of seven Scaglietti-bodied competition berlinettas created by the Italian automaker. It was originally sold new to Marquis Alfonso de Portago who entered the car into the Tour de France Auto of 1955.Throughout the event, the car travelled 3600 miles including six races at circuits around Europe including Le Mans. The car claimed victory in five of those six races managing to even beat the likes of a Mercedes-Benz 300SL being driven by Stirling Moss.
The following year, the car claimed victory at the Coupes du Salon as well as 1st place at the Rome Grand Prix also in 1956. Since being retired after the Mille Miglia of 1957, the car has passed through the ownership of three individuals and remains highly original despite its age.
Discussing the car, Vice President of RM Sotheby’s Alain Squindo said “The ‘Tour de France’ is the first significant model in Ferrari’s successful 250 lineage – it predates the Testa Rossa, the SWB Berlinetta, the 250 GTO and the 250 LM, and, as such, represents an important milestone in the company’s history. 0557GT is part of a very exclusive group of Ferrari’s most historically important individual cars, as famous designations like “Mille Miglia,” “Daytona,” and of course “Tour de France” were earned by singular cars that reigned victorious at those races. 0557GT therefore stands head and shoulders above its fellow stablemates, which it effectively named. Add to that the car’s history with Fon de Portago, its exquisite presentation and freshness to market, and the scene is set for a very, very memorable Monterey auction.”
