New 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa J – Cheaper, Electric Power & 3/4 Scale

Ferrari’s latest car is one of its oldest and smallest. Being 3/4 scale it means that it’s suitable for drivers of any age. To help wit the project Ferrari turned to The Little Car Company who are experts in making smaller versions of iconic cars and they have produced a faithful replica.

With only 33 Testa Rossas of all variants built between 1957 and 1961, including some 19 customer cars it’s appropriate that the new one is limited too. The good news is that it’s significantly more, but still only 299 will be built.

Ferrari did run every aspect of the project and used original design drawings which are held by Ferrari’s Classiche department. The styling centre in Maranello oversaw the proportion and use of liveries, the chassis and all other components were created from those original drawings.

It is much cheaper, it starts at € 93,000 before you add any options. Makes it a bargain compared to the original.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa TR

The Testa Rossa is one of the greatest Ferraris of all time, with its long list of honours and its longevity. From the late 1950s and into the early 60s the Testa Rossa claimed some 18 victories with three championship titles in 1958, 1960 and 1961. It’s the only Ferrari to have won Le Mans four times in 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962 with the 330 TR, the final evolution.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa J Design

The Ferrari Testa Rossa J follows the lines of the original meticulously. The Scaglietti designed barchetta bodywork was nicknamed Pontoon Fender due to the shape over the front wheels.

The same process to make the bodywork is applied to the replica, hand beaten aluminium while the paint comes from Ferrari’s present range.

The chassis was recreated using scanned original drawings and they have even given the car the same steering and suspension geometry which means authentic handling characteristics.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa J Interior

The same attention to detail has been applied to the interior. Ferrari’s Styling Centre has designed a single seat configuration that will accommodate an adult and a teenager. Faithfully incorporating the piping motif of the original and the same high quality leather found in the current range.

Nardi made the steering wheel, the same company that supplied the original in 1957, but this one featured Ferrari’s smallest ever quick release system. The classic dials and gauges have been repurposed for their role in an electric car but have the original design and fonts.

The oil and water gauges now monitor the battery and the motor temperatures, the fuel gauge is the battery level, and the tachometer is now a speedometer. A power meter has been incorporated to show the amount of regenerative braking being deployed.

Bringing something from the new road cars Ferrari have used the pedals from the F8 Tributo. The tyres are supplied by Ferrari’s official technical partner Pirelli which are fitted to handmade 12 inch diameter wire wheels.

The suspension is Bilstein coilover dampers and custom springs, which Ferrari fine tuned and were signed off by their in house test drivers at the Fiorano test track in Maranello.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa J Drivetrain

There are three batteries mounted in the front that power the electric motor. They provide around 90 km of range depending on how hard your drive it. The batteries are accessible under the bonnet while the charge port is incorporated into the fuel cap.

There are four driving modes that can be accessed through the Manettino dial. Novice mode is level 1 and gives 1 kw and 20 km/h with controlled acceleration and the ability to remotely disable the car from a remote key fob.

Comfort mode increases power to 4 kw and up to 45 km/h, Sport and Race modes increasing the responsiveness, acceleration and top speed which is over 60 km/h.

There are considerations towards safety with reinforced metal side panels and an optional roll bar. Brembo disc brakes have replaced the original drums and there is a hydraulic handbrake on the rear.

While the Testa Rossa J has been designed to be driven by anyone over the age of 14, it has not been homologated for road use. Doesn’t mean that it could get approval of course.
While the Ferrari Testa Rossa J is designed to be driven by anyone over 14 years of age, it is not homologated for road use.

There are a wide range of personalisation and colour options available. All the liveries that have been used on the 250 Testa Rossa through its racing career can be ordered. An online car configurator allows customers to choose from 14 historical liveries, 53 body colours and additional personalisation.

If you want one, you can play with the configurator here: www.testarossaj.com