1958→1960 Ferrari 250 California LWB Spyder

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

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 1307GT – sold for $8,500,000 The 23rd of 50 LWB California Spiders built. Formerly owned by Prince Alvise Hercolani, Wolfgang Seidel, and Ed Niles Highly desirable and rare factory-installed features, including Superamerica-style front fender vents, an inset air intake on the hood, and velocity stacks. Possibly the most uniquely designed California Spider built. Matching numbers throughout; Ferrari Classiche certified.
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

1045866

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

1025267

1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder 1283GT – sold for €4,507,104 Unique and extraordinary provenance. Mythical model, matching numbers, covered headlights. Extremely rare, one of 47 examples, the 22nt built. The Roger Vadim’s California. factory hard-top. former Jean-Claude Bajol collection.
Auction Source: 2012 Artcurial Motorcars à Rétromobile
1024197

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

1003900

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider 1215GT – sold for $3,355,000 The 18th of 50 LWB California Spiders. Factory Delivered with Cold-Air Box and Velocity Stacks. Known Ownership History from New. Verified Matching-Numbers Example. Restored by the Finest Restoration Firms. Recently Sorted and Serviced by Bob Smith. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini.
Auction Source: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

995615

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder 1307GT – sold for €2,520,000 Ex-Prince Alvise Hercolani and Wolfgang Seidel. Special features including hardtop and Superamerica side vents. Matching numbers and Ferrari Classiche certified. Extensive recent detailing work and motor and suspension rebuild. Shown at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Known provenance, documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini .
Auction Source: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction
927059

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
883573

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

865721

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 in

Auction Source: 2009 Leggenda e Passione

768318

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

652794

1959 Ferrari 250 GT California 1431GT – sold for $4,455,000 Another restoration began in 1997 and when completed, was painted in black paint with a matching leather interior. After the restoration it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it won a first in class in the Ferrari category. Other awards include a first in class at the Ferrari National Meet in Toronto.
Auction Source: 2007 Monterey Preview