One to Buy: ex-Ed Lunken 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC
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Although best known for its esteemed line of V12 engines, during the 1950s Enzo Ferrari’s company also constructed a selection of racing cars with Aurelio Lampredi-designed four cylinder engines, one of the last of which to appear was the 500 TRC of 1957.
Created for the firm’s customers to contest the under two-litre Sports racing class, the TRC replaced Ferrari’s outgoing 500 TR and ushered in myriad updates focused primarily on compliance with the new-for-1957 Appendix C regulations which required cars be fitted with two doors, matching sized seats and a cockpit width of at least 120cm.
Draped in gorgeous aluminium bodywork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti of Modena, the 500 TRC was not just among the prettiest Sports racing cars of its era but also one of the most effective. Nowhere was this better evidenced than the 1957 World Sportscar Championship where the TRC won five out of seven rounds: the Sebring 12 Hours, Mille Miglia, Nurburgring 1000km, Le Mans 24 Hours and Swedish Grand Prix.
Set to go under the hammer as part of a sealed bid process with RM Sotheby’s between May 27th and 29th is the first example of those 16 spectacularly beautiful 500 TRCs: chassis 0658 MDTR.
Supplied via Luigi Chinetti and then Carl Haas to noted privateer, Ed Lunken, this 500 TRC was the latest Ferrari Sports racing car that Lunken had owned following a 166 Mille Miglia (0054 M), a 340 Mille Miglia (0324 AM) and a 625 LM (0612 MDTR). Lunken raced his little red Spyder throughout 1957, most notably collecting E Modified class wins in SCCA events at Road America and Marlboro.
In more recent times, 0658 MDTR (currently residing in Culver City, California) underwent an exacting restoration by Carrozzeria Brandoli between 1994 and ‘95. The car was subsequently granted Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification in 2005 which confirms the presence of its original chassis, body, engine and rear axle along with a correct type gearbox.
