The idea for the California Spyder came from U.S. distributors Jon von Neumann and Luigi Chinetti who convinced Ferrari to create a performance convertible named after their best market. The California Spyder emerged with supercar performance and became highly desirable due to its limited availability.

Since the 250 California was initially based off the successful Tour de France race car, it was somewhat easy to prepare the chassis for its return to the circuits. In this case, Ferrari kept the same sexy shape of the California Spyder, but made the body out of light-gauge aluminum instead of steel. Furthermore Ferrari upgraded the engine specification and fitted a large fuel tank with quick-release filler on the trunk.

Naturally, Luigi Chinetti had a desire to take his own design and go racing. This promoted the Ferrari name in America and increased the success of the model. One of the first Spyders, chassis 1085GT, was prepared by Chinetti’s NART to enter Sebring in 1959. Driven by Richie Ginther and Howard Hively, it finished ninth overall and first place in the GT9 class.

At first, engine modifications included higher lift racing camshafts and Weber 40DCL/3 carburetors fed by velocity stacks. This engine, known as 128F and produced 262 horsepower at 7,300. Most of the cars featured this engine, or a similar version with outside spark plugs known as the Tipo 168. Only one car, chassis 2015GT featured the 168B engine with high compression cylinder heads and larger valves which could produce 280 bhp @ 7000 rpm.

After Ferrari produced nine LWB models on the Tipo 508 D frame from the Tour de France, the model was changed to reflect the SWB model specification. Three more models were made on the Tipo 539 chassis with covered headlights.

One of these later cars, chassis 2015GT, was prepared for the 1960 LeMans and was built to the ultimate specification with the competition Tipo 168B engine. It was entered by NART, but it died in eleventh place overall with Sturgis and Schlesser at the wheel.

With just 12 California Spyder Competitizione’s produced, they are probably the most desirable Ferrari behind the coveted 250 GTO. They have the seduction of a road-ready spyder and the performance of a Le Mans contender.