1957 Ferrari 500 TRC
The 500 GTC was built to keep the Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa up to date with the 1957 Appendix C sports car regulations. It used an updated version of the Ferrari’s inline four and chassis revisions which distinguished it from the preceding model. Changes to the body included a full-width windscreen, functioning doors, a 120-liter fuel tank and a folding top.
Called the Tipo 518C chassis, the TRC repositioned the engine lower so the bodywork and center of gravity was dropped. Furthermore coil springs were added to the independent front suspension.
With the lower engine Sergio Scaglietti made the front nose lower, but also reduced the frontal area which made the car look much more streamlined. Behind the driver was a large fairing that was fitted to some of the 500 TRs.
The engine was designed by Lapredi to a 2-liter displacement. Called the Tipo 131C, 180 bhp was possible which was ample for the 2-litre class.
Of the 19 TRCs built, almost half were shipped to America to contest the various SCCA events.
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Video
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Gallery
See full 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| production | 19 |
| predecessor | 1956 Ferrari 500 TR |
| engine | Tipo 131C Inline-4 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| ignition | Twin Ignition |
| valvetrain | DOHC |
| displacement | 2498 cc / 152.4 in³ |
| bore | 93.98 mm / 3.7 in |
| stroke | 89.9 mm / 3.54 in |
| compression | 9.0:1 |
| power | 164.1 kw / 220 bhp @ 6500 rpm |
| specific output | 88.07 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 303.03 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 257.61 nm / 190.0 ft lbs @ 5400 rpm |
| redline | 6500 |
| body / frame | Aluminum Bodt over Tipo 518C Chassis |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Spoked Wires |
| front tires | 5.25×16 |
| rear tires | 6.00×16 |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Trailing Arms, Coil Springs |
| curb weight | 726 kg / 1601 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2250 mm / 88.6 in |
| front track | 1380 mm / 54.3 in |
| rear track | 1250 mm / 49.2 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.65:1, 1.60:1, 1.20:1, 1.00:1 |
| final drive | 3.78:1 |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~6.0 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~12.0 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC 0690MDTR – sold for $3,080,000. One of Only 19 Examples Originally Produced. Among the Most Beautiful Racing Cars Ever Designed. 3rd in Class and 12th Overall in the 1957 Mille Miglia. Participant in the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix. Well-Documented Provenance with One Owner from 1985. Expertly Restored During the Late 1980s by Neil Twyman. Presented in 1958 Scuderia Cuba Livery. Accompanied by the Original Gearbox from 0708 MDTR. Outstanding in Presentation and Ready to Show, Tour, and Enjoy. Documented by Noted Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Auction Source: Gooding & Company’s 10th Anniversary 2013 Pebble Beach Auction
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC 0662 MDTR – sold for $4,510,000 One of the Most Beautiful Italian Sports Cars of the 1950s. Among the First of Just 19 Examples Built. Illustrious US Racing History with Several Wins. Displayed at the 1980 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Part of the Sherman M. Wolf Collection Since 1988. Colorado Grand and Monterey Historics Veteran. Featured in Phil Hill’s Ferrari: A Champion’s View. Complete with Matching-Numbers Engine. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Auction Source: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1957 Ferrari 625 TRC Spider 0680MDTR – sold for €5,040,000. One of only two stunning, factory-built 625 TRCs ever built; fully documented provenance. Bought new by famed racing driver and pioneering American Ferrari importer, John von Neumann. Successful period and vintage-racing history, including such luminaries as Richie Ginther. Single ownership in California for over 30 years; expertly restored and race-ready. Accompanied by original, very rare, matching numbers Type 625 2.5-litre Ferrari racing engine. Auction Source: Monaco 2012 by RM Auctions
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti 0670MDTR – sold for €2,800,000 One of the most beautiful Ferrari sports racing cars ever built. One of the finest examples in existence with known ownership and successful racing history. Five Targa Florio entries and Winner of the Monte Pellegrino Hillclimb. Last four-cylinder Ferrari sports racer, rarer than 250 TR and 250 GTO. Auction Source: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction
1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider 0670MDTR – sold for $2,282,500. Five Owners From New, A Multiple Targa Florio and Period Sports Racing Entry Complete with a Spare 625 TRC Engine and spare 500 tr Gearbox. Chassis 0670 MDTR is matching numbers and totally authentic. Its entire history is known and has been very carefully researched and documented by marque experts. It is eligible for almost every historic event in the world. The overall condition is absolutely stunning and this exceptional and significant Ferrari is now ready for road, track or show. Auction Source: 2006 Monterey Preview
