The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ is a vehicle that transcends the standard definition of a collectible car. Chassis number 0557 GT is not just another competition Ferrari; it is the very machine that earned the model its legendary TdF nickname. Following a historic victory in the 1956 Tour de France Auto, this chassis forever cemented its place as the archetypal racing icon of the Maranello factory.
The Racing Legacy of Marquis Alfonso de Portago
Marquis Alfonso de Portago, a legendary athlete and Scuderia Ferrari driver, took delivery of this Ferrari in April 1956. He campaigned the car with unmatched success, famously beating Stirling Moss’s factory Mercedes-Benz 300 SL during the grueling 2,800-kilometer Tour de France event. This victory was so significant that Ferrari adopted the race name for the entire model range, a tradition that continues with modern tributes.
De Portago’s 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta achieved a feat rarely seen in motorsport by winning every single race it entered during its period career. Successes included outright wins at the Coupes du Salon and the Rome Grand Prix. These triumphs were achieved against the world’s most formidable drivers, making chassis 0557 GT the most dominant competition Berlinetta of its generation.
Exceptional Originality and Ferrari Classiche Certification
Despite its rigorous racing life, this 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta remains incredibly original today. In January 2026, the car received full Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming it retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox, rear axle, and coachwork. Such authenticity is exceptionally rare for a competition car that has seen nearly seventy years of history and a short chain of only five dedicated owners.
The car was treated to a ground-up restoration by Bob Smith Coachworks, leading to a prestigious 1st-in-class win at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It has since earned Platinum trophies and numerous Blue Ribbon awards at the world’s most exclusive automotive events. This balance of competitive dominance and aesthetic perfection makes it a singular opportunity for connoisseurs at the Paris 2026 auction.
Engine Performance and V12 Technical Specifications
Under the Scaglietti-designed hood sits the legendary 3.0-liter Colombo V12 engine, a masterpiece of 1950s engineering. This long-wheelbase Berlinetta produces approximately 240 horsepower, delivered through a four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels. The lightweight aluminum bodywork and high-revving V12 allowed de Portago to outpace factory-backed teams on both hillclimbs and high-speed circuits across Europe.
Summary of the Ultimate Prancing Horse
The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ stands as a cornerstone of the Ferrari legend. Very few cars can claim to have personally influenced the naming of a model range, yet chassis 0557 GT did exactly that. With its impeccable racing record, matching-numbers status, and recent 2026 factory certification, it represents the absolute zenith of automotive collecting. It is quite simply the most important of all Tour de France examples ever to leave the gates of Maranello.
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Source: rmsothebys.com
