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1961 Ferrari 250 GT California SWB Spyder

  • Chassis Number: 2903 GT
What does a farmer's daughter dream about to enjoy her last summer? Certainly, a Ferrari 250 GT California Spider packing all of the right stuff.

The moment the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider made its first appearance, the evocative lines and the gorgeous soundtrack from its three-liter V-12 made it coveted by some of the biggest names. It was more than a status symbol for the elite of society and Hollywood. It was an indulgence that was not to be passed-up.

Chassis 2903 GT would be completed in September of 1961 and would be among a rare breed in and of itself. Sporting the short-wheelbase chassis of the Berlinetta, the Scaglietti-clad California Spider would be aggressive in its proportions and every bit the exclusive sportscar.

When completed, 2903 GT would become one of the most desirable of the California Spiders. Being one of just 56 SWB examples, the car is certainly in rare company to begin with, however, it goes even further than that.

Among the 56 examples that would sport the Scaglietti body on the shorter wheelbase there would be just 37 that would be fitted with covered headlights. Chassis 2903 GT is just such an example. Furthermore, it was one of an even smaller number to have been fitted with an optional hardtop.

Given the car's elite status, even among other California Spiders, it would find its way to the 48th Salon de l'Automobile held in Paris in 1961. Finished in a striking black livery with natural leather interior, the car was certainly the stuff of dreams. Not surprisingly, the first recorded owner would not come along until the late 1960s.

After having been sold to Geneva's Garage de Montchoisy following its debut in Paris, the car would make its way into the hands of Alain Cheuvrie, a resident of Geneva. The car would remain with Cheuvrie until 1970 when the car made its way to the United States and the very state for which it had been inspired.

Arriving in California in 1970, 2903 GT would make its way to its next recorded owner, none other than a young Barbara Hershey. Hershey had gotten her acting career rolling with appearances on The Farmer's Daughter, Gidget and The Monroes television series. Her roles in movies like Heaven with a Gun and Last Summer meant she was a star on the rise and certainly in need of a ride truly befitting her growing fame. The exceedingly rare California Spider was the ideal choice.

Throughout the two years in which Hershey owned the 250 GT it would be a part of many adventures and a few legends. This would include of period of about a month when the Ferrari went missing. How such a car could disappear for a month, especially with the plates that read 'HUNNY', is a little beyond belief. Not long after being recovered the car was sold.

Following a period with Hollywood Sports Cars in Beverly Hills, the California Spider would make its way into the hands of Spencer Stillman. The car would remain with Stillman for more than a decade before it would begin to change hands with great regularity.

Upon being sold in 1992, 2903 GT would be owned by such people as Bob Biase, Charles Wegner and Gary Schaevitz. While with Wegner, the car would undergo restoration and would make appearances at the Monterey Vintage Ferrari Concours and the Cavallino Classic. Being acquired by Schaevitz, the car would join an impressive collection of sports and racing cars and would, by no means, lead a quiet life. Three consecutive years Schaevitz would drive the 250 GT in the Colorado Grand Rally.

Such a rare breed of prancing horse, 2903 GT would remain a highly coveted example of the California Spider and the current owner would not pass up on the opportunity to own it. It would be purchased in 2000 and would continue to be a presence in concours events throughout the east coast. The car would achieve a number of prestigious awards and would also take part in the Copperstate 1000 and Nova Scotia 1000. Then, in 2014, the owner applied for certification with Ferrari Classiche. The certification was subsequently approved though the 'Red Book' Certification is still pending.

This 250 GT California Spider has it all. It has the breeding. It has the rare blood lines flowing through its veins. It also has the awards and the achievements to back up its value. But then, it also has the legends; the legends that make any great collector car much more than a car, but a piece of history.

By Jeremy McMullen

2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $13,000,000-USD $15,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $15,180,000

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Ferrari 250 GT California

(Data based on Model Year 1961 sales)
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Chassis#: 2871 GT
Sold for USD$17,160,000
  2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Chassis#: 3095 GT
Sold for USD$16,830,000
  2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Chassis#: 2935GT
Sold for USD$18,553,009
  2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Chassis#: 2903 GT
Sold for USD$15,180,000
  2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  1961 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder
Chassis#: 2377GT
Sold for USD$10,912,000
  2008 RM Auctions - Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione
 

Ferrari 250 GT Californias That Failed To Sell At Auction

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti2505 GT2015 RM Sotheby's : Villa Erba $11,000,000$13,000,000

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1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C
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2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle thumbnail image  1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle thumbnail image  
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
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1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato
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2015 RM Sotheby's NY Auction : Driven By Distruption
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle thumbnail image  1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle thumbnail image  
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale
Chassis#:3269 GT
Sold for $16,500,000
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1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
Chassis#:3095 GT
Sold for $16,830,000
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1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Chassis#:0666 TR
Sold for $16,390,000
2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
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1961 Ferrari 250 GT California

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Ferrari 250 GT California model years

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Vehicle Profiles

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 2955GT
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 3095 GT
Engine #: 3095
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 2935GT
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 3059GT
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 3099 GT
Engine #: 168/61
Gearbox #: 539/61
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 2871 GT
Engine #: 2871
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle information
SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 2467GT
Engine #: 168
Gearbox #: 539