The progenitor of Ferrari’s legendary Testa Rossa variants, the high-revving four-cylinder 500 TR achieved its first major international victory at the 1956 Grand Prix Supercortemaggiore at Monza.

Success continued throughout 1956 with more than 30 class and overall victories across North America and Europe.

Chassis number 0610 MD-TR is the third of 17 examples built, and in March 1956 the car was sold new to Italian nobleman and gentleman racer, Prince Gaetano Starrabba di Giardinelli.

In just one year of ownership, Starrabba entered the 500 TR in no fewer than 10 races, finishing 3rd overall on two occasions, at the Giro di Sicilia and the Circuito di Sassari, and 2nd overall at the Circuito di Caserta.

In early 1957, Starrabba returned the TR to the factory and the car was updated to meet the new Appendix C regulations, including the addition of a wider windscreen and fixing points for a passenger-area cover.

The Ferrari was then sold to Swedish importer Tore Bjurström, who loa...