The Ferrari 250 TR or Testa Rossa was built for racing and in this it was very successful. Based on the same chassis and running gear as the rest of the Ferrari 250 range it won in Le Mans three times, in 1958, 1960 and 1961.

The original Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa was launched in 1956 and was relatively controversial in its design. So much so, that Ferrari began to make changes almost immediately. Scaglietti's design was different in that the front wheel arches and fenders were visually separated from the centre section of the car. Inspired by formula 1 designs, this 'pontoon' shape was the car in which Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien won the 1958 Le Mans 24 hour race.

More traditional designs by Pinin Farina and Carrozzeria Touring were used for the bodies of later 250 TR's.

The TR or 'Testa Rossa' name was taken from the fact that the valve covers on Colombo's V12 engine were painted red. Testa Rossa literally means Red Head.

One interesting point to note is that the later 250 TR61 was the inspiration for the design of the nose of the Ferrari F430.