SOURCE: Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction

September 11, 2008 14:23 ET

A One-of-a-Kind 1959 Ferrari Testarossa Special Offered at Russo and Steele Scottsdale Event

Built by Jason Wenig and His Creative Team at The Creative Workshop, This One-of-a-Kind World Roadster Racer Will Cross Russo and Steele's Auction Block in Scottsdale, AZ January 14-18, 2009

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - September 11, 2008) - Standing on the cusp of a brand new year, Russo and Steele is thrilled to bring you the best American Muscle, European Sports, Hot rods, and custom collector automobiles available in 2009. Its Scottsdale Sports and Muscle auction event promises to be a memorable experience as it prepares to have the one-of-a-kind 1959 Ferrari Testarossa Special cross its auction block January 14-18, 2009. The auction event will once again be held at its traditional home in North Scottsdale, at the intersection of the freeway 101 Loop and Scottsdale Road.

This scratch-built Sport Speciale is a true legacy inspired by the big-displacement European racing specials from the late '50s and early '60s. The vision behind this car was to take cues from cars such as the Ferrari TR59/60, Aston Martin DBR1, Maserati 450S and others, resulting in a car that would seamlessly fit into the 1959 Championship paddock with the mentioned marques in the stalls to either side.

Although bodylines would place us right on par with the period field, what lies beneath offers our team an unfair, if not anachronistic, advantage. Fitted with a chrome-moly tubular chassis in a true Superleggera style, stainless steel wire rimmed, hand formed aluminum body. Under the sleek flowing bonnet, power is supplied by the legendary F1-inspired, specially-built, performance BMW V12 with one-off cylinder heads provided by the BMW Factory in Germany and a custom Hilborn racing fuel injection system. The exceptional power is then transferred through a matching 6-speed transmission. Road handling is taken care of by Brembo and Wilwood racing disc brakes, tubular, adjustable suspension arms, BRT rack & pinion steering, racing-bred sway bars and many other technological advancements taken from years of competition experience.

While the technical highlights of the car are modern hi-tech goods, the tactile and visual details inside and out are all original and authentic. Instrumentation is period-correct Veglia, the steering wheel a similar Nardi item, the lights are original Marchal and Carello, switches are correct Magneti-Marelli and the wheels, hubs and knockoffs are true were built by Borrani on the original jigs that built the same classic wires for the Ferraris of old. With modern engineering and traditional hand-forming Carrozzeria build techniques from scratch, this one-of-a-kind masterpiece is a seamless fusion of classic style and modern performance. Unlike any other car extant of its similar style, it provides a singular soul and character that no modern car and few classics can emulate. This car captures all of what those magnificent cars of that era were, yet provides a level of convenience, ergonomics and performance that those cars could only dream of.

For additional information or images contact Stephanie Quinn: Stephanie@russoandsteele.com or 602.252.2697.

About Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions

Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles is one of the nation's premier collector car auctions; specializing in the world's finest European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and customs. Three auctions each year attract clients all over the globe not only because of its reputation for stellar collector automobiles, but also unique auction experiences unattainable at any other collector car auction in the world. Its auction events take place with its signature auction in Scottsdale, Arizona every January, Monterey, California in August and South Florida in March. Additional information please visit www.russoandsteele.com or call 602.252.2697.