The Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti was first driven by “British racer Peter Collins and his French partner Maurice Trintignant in the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours, then by Wolfgang von Trips in the Mille Miglia that May, where it came second.”

British ace Mike Hawthorn, who went on to become Formula One champion in 1958, drove the car in the Le Mans 24 Hours, setting the first official lap of the circuit in under four minutes, although the car failed to win the race after succumbing to engine failure after only 56 laps.

The 335S also won the 1958 Cuba Grand Prix in the hands of Stirling Moss.

Reaching a speed of up to 186mph, its V12 engine provides the car with a maximum power of 360 HP at 7300rpm.

It’s one of the great Ferrari sports racing car, not the most famous but with a brilliant pedigree. The key to its astronomical price tag was rarity as only four 335S cars made.

Obviously as racing cars a lot of them would have crashed. Also, at the time, all the racing teams, particularly Ferrari, had no sentiment for such cars. At the end of the season when there they were no longer competitive they were considered obsolete and would quite simply be crushed. That makes it all the more amazing that this one survived.

The 335 S cannot be driven on the roads today – it would be illegal as it’s not registered and is too loud for a star. Back in the 50s in Le Mans they would drive the cars from where they were staying to the circuit, but you wouldn’t get away with that now.

Feeling a bit bleak now that you have realised you have nothing close to that amount of cash to buy yourself a sports car? Then you’re being a little silly. The Powerball is back up to €157 million and if you pop over HERE and get your ticket, you might just be able to buy three of those historical sports cars.

[source: thetelegraph]