2. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
The 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Its style was so unique that anyone who saw it immediately knew it was a Ferrari.
Not only did it look good with its smooth, rounded body, but it also had a powerful engine. The car ran on a 3.5-liter 12-cylinder engine that could produce an impressive 300 horsepower. That’s a lot of power for a car of its time!
The Testa Rossa didn’t just look good, it performed well too. It set records on the race track, showing off Ferrari’s talent for making amazing cars that people still love today.
Overview:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1957 – 1962 |
| Purpose | Sports car, racing |
| Body Style | Two-seater spider (open-top) |
| Engine Type | Front, longitudinal 60° V12 |
| Displacement | 2,953.21 cc (183.0 cu in) |
| Horsepower | 300 hp (221 kW) @ 7,200 rpm |
| Torque | Not officially specified |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual (1957-1958), 5-speed manual (1959-1962) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Top Speed | Over 270 km/h (168 mph) (estimated) |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Approximately 5.5 seconds (estimated) |
| Chassis | Tubular steel spaceframe |
| Suspension | Front: Independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers. Rear: Live axle (customer cars), de Dion or independent (factory team cars) |
| Brakes | Drum brakes |
| Dry Weight | 800 kg (1,764 lbs) |
| Length | 2,350 mm (92.5 in) |
| Width | 1,740 mm (68.5 in) |
| Height | 1,110 mm (43.7 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,350 mm (92.5 in) |
3. Porsche 550 RS Spyder
In the 1950s, Porsche introduced its first race car, the 1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder, another classic beauty. This car was super light, had a low body, and was painted in that iconic gray color.
Each 550 Spyder was hand-built, which made every single one of them unique. While it might not have had the same stunning effect as the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa that came a couple of years later, its elegant design made it quite a sight on the racetrack.
With only 90 of them ever made, the Spyder is one of the rarest Porsches around, adding to its allure and making it a true gem for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Overview:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1953 – 1956 |
| Purpose | Sports car, racing |
| Body Style | Two-seater convertible (open-top) |
| Engine Type | Mid-mounted, flat-four (boxer) |
| Displacement | 1,488 cc (91.4 cu in) |
| Horsepower | 110 hp (82 kW) @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) @ 4400 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Top Speed | Over 200 km/h (124 mph) |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Approximately 8 seconds |
| Chassis | Steel tube frame with aluminum body panels |
| Suspension | Independent suspension with wishbones and coil springs on all four wheels |
| Brakes | Drum brakes |
| Dry Weight | 530 kg (1,168 lbs) |
| Length | 3,860 mm (152.0 in) |
| Width | 1,575 mm (62.0 in) |
| Height | 1,300 mm (51.2 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,210 mm (87.0 in) |