When Ferrari replaced their 250 Cabriolet Series I with a more luxurious Series II version, Luigi Chinetti convinced Ferrari to continue on with a more sporting version called the California Spyder.
Despite the new name, almost everything from the Series I Cabriolet was used, with only minor details such as larger rear taillights and an optionally-available hard top.
Under the Pinin Farina body, little changed. The car retained the long-wheel-base 250 GT chassis with the Tipo 128D engine.
Our feature example is one of the world’s best LWB California Spyders and is distinguished by its Superamerica-style front fender vents, hood scoop, cold air intake and factory hardtop. In In 1999, owner Jonas Liden of Sweden commissioned a full restoration at Carrozzeria Autosport, Bacchelli & Villa in Bastiglia, Italy . After it gain accolades at the top events such as the 58th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance it was again redone with proper fender intakes and an additional $115,000 USD was spent “to bring the car to the Platinum Award-level standards” according to RM. In this guise it was sold by RM Auctions for €2.520.000 at their 2011 Villa d’Este sale.
Story by Richard Owen
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Limited Production Car |
| production years | 1958 – 1960 |
| built at | Mondena, Italy |
| coachbuilder | Scaglietti & C. |
| production | 50 |
| predeccesor | 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I |
| succeccesor | 1960 Ferrari 250 California SWB Spyder |
| engine | Type 128D 60º V 12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 3 36DCL3 Weber Carburetors |
| displacement | 2953 cc / 180.2 in³ |
| bore | 73 mm / 2.87 in |
| stroke | 58.8 mm / 2.31 in |
| compression | 8.9:1 |
| power | 170.0 kw / 228 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 77.21 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 165.34 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Steel Body over Tubular Steel Chassis |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Borrani Wire |
| front tires | 6.0×16 |
| rear tires | 6.0×16 |
| front brakes | Dunlop Discs |
| rear brakes | Dunlop Discs |
| steering | Worm & Sector |
| f suspension | Unequal Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Rigid Axle w/Semi Elliptic Leaf Springs, Radius Arms |
| curb weight | 1379 kg / 3040 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2400 mm / 94.5 in |
| front track | 1378 mm / 54.3 in |
| rear track | 1374 mm / 54.1 in |
| length | 4200 mm / 165.4 in |
| width | 1720 mm / 67.7 in |
| height | 1370 mm / 53.9 in |
| transmission | Tipo 508C/603 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.54:1, 1.70:1, 1.26:1, 1.00:1 |
| final drive | 4.86:1 |
| top speed | ~233.4 kph / 145 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~6.5 seconds |
Auction Sales History
Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 1425GT – sold for $7,700,000 One of Only 50 LWB California Spiders Built. Late-Production Example with Cold-Air Box and Velocity Stacks. Magnificent Unrestored Condition with Preserved Original Interior. Presented with Extensive Records, Tool Roll, and Sales Literature. Offered for Sale for the First Time Since 1969.Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions 2015 by Gooding & Company
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 1055GT – sold for $8,800,000 The 11th of 50 LWB California Spiders built. Matching-numbers example, with covered headlamps. Former owners include Gerald Roush and Anthony Wang. Documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini.Auction Source: 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 1073GT –
An Elegant Early-Production LWB California Spider. Sophisticated Bleu Sera Metallizzato Livery. One of Only 23 Covered-Headlight Examples. Nut-and-Bolt Dennison International Restoration. Displayed at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. 2012 FCA Nationals Platinum Award Winner. A Prime Candidate for the Most Important Automotive Events. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Offered with Extensive File of Records Dating Back to the 1970s. Matching-Numbers, Ferrari Classiche Certified Example.Auction Source: The 2013 Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company
1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototipo 0769GT –
An Important, One-of-a-Kind Ferrari. The Original Pre-Production California Spider Prototype. Groundbreaking Sports Car Design with Singular Features. Illustrated in Ferrari Factory Photographs and Sales Literature. Winner of the 1961 De Diego Trophy in Puerto Rico. Featured in Numerous Books and Magazines. Matching-Numbers, Ferrari Classiche Certified Example. Displayed at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini.Auction Source: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
Auction Source: 2012 Artcurial Motorcars à Rétromobile
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 1505GT – sold for $3,905,000 Desirable, Late-Production LWB California Spider. Factory Equipped with Cold-Air Box, Velocity Stacks and Disc Brakes. Distinguished Chain of Knowledgeable Owners. Verified Matching-Numbers Engine. Eligible for the Leading Tours, Rallies and Concours. Documented by Marque Historian Marcel Massini. Certified by Ferrari Classiche.
Auction Source: 2012 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company
Auction Source: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
Auction Source: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder 1253GT –
The left-hand drive LWB California Spyder on offer, chassis 1253 GT, is the 21st car built and was delivered new with a high compression engine and velocity stacks – a very sporting specification. Completed by the factory in March 1959 and sold to its first owner Guido Monzino of Milan, it was also delivered new with the desirable covered headlights, and it was the only LWB California Spyder to be equipped from new with the attractive side vents of the SWB California Spyder.Auction Source: 2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 0937GT – sold for $2,750,000 This car with serial number 0937GT is the seventh of the fifty Long wheel Base California Spyders built by Ferrari. It was sold to its first owner, the film actress Brigitte Bardot, in Paris, and it was much admired as it was driven in and around the French Riviera.
Auction Source: 2009 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction
1959 Ferrari 250GT California (LWB) 1487GT –
The California Spyder (LWB) presented here, chassis no. 1487 GT, an original covered-headlight example, was ordered new on 11 June 1959 by Paul H. Norair, an active Washington, DC-area SCCA member, for Henry E. Mergner, a Chevrolet dealer also based inAuction Source: 2009 Leggenda e Passione
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder 0923GT –
0923 GT has very recently undergone a full mechanical overhaul at Ferrari specialists GTO Engineering. All mechanical components were checked and overhauled and the engine has undergone a full rebuild, making the car ready to be enjoyed at events. Chassis 0923 GT can be described as being in close to perfect condition, both aesthetically and mechanically.Auction Source: 2008 Leggenda e Passione
Auction Source: 2007 Monterey Preview
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tMHPnqmcmaKoe6%2Bx02iZpaeXZH56gZdefGtdaGtyen6Qcm1pZZaav7Ot0aJka21gYrCiuMifpqummZZ6rcPBZqqpsZSav25%2Bjg%3D%3D