Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Ferrari's first cars were open cars mostly used for sports racing. These were followed by single seaters for Formula events. The convertible bodied car theme would continue in the Ferrari arsenal at the GT level for years to come.
Luigi Chinetti and Johnny von Neumann, a California resident, were the individuals responsible for the designation 'California' on a Ferrari. The California region offered plenty of opportunity for open-air cruising, had good roads, an emerging prosperity, and a beautiful climate. The design was created by Pinin Farina with the shape and fabrication performed at the Renaissance craft shop of Sergio Scaglietti.
Chassis number 0769GT was the first California Spyder and was created in the later part of 1957. 0769GT is often considered a transitional car from the prior cabriolet production to the new Spyder bodied cars. As production continued, there evolved two distinct series of the California, built between 1958 and 1962 with total production reach 105 units. The first series had a wheelbase that measured 2600mm and are often considered 'LWB' (Long Wheel Base) models. A total of 51 examples of the LWB versions were created with nine being alloy-bodied competition models. 54 examples of the second series were produced, all resting on a wheelbase that measured 2400mm.
1431GT
This vehicle has chassis number 1431GT, engine number 1431GT, transmission number 223-D, and rear axle number 465. It is the 28th long wheelbase ever constructed and is equipped with many early, rare, and desirable features. It has the Type 128D variation of the three-liter Colombo V12 engine and was the last Cal Spyder example fitted with this engine type. The D-Series engine were the last with the inboard spark plug location where the plugs are positioned along the inside of the cylinder head. The rear axle and transmission are the Type 508D. The rear axle is fitted with an 8x34 ring and pinion resulting in a 4.25:1 gear ratio and better acceleration.
When this car left the Ferrari factory as a rolling chassis to receive its Scaglietti coachwork, it was fitted with a temporary engine and gearbox. It was sent to Scaglietti on May 6th of 1959. On July 29th it was assembled with the correct Type 128D engine. The car was then fitted with many features including a German ZF steering gearbox with 20:1 turning ratio, a 90-liter capacity fuel tank, Abarth exhaust system, and a cooling system with a thermostat. There are covered headlights, classic wood rim Nardi steering wheel, Borrani RW 3264 chromed wire wheels, and instruments in 'Miglia' or miles, meaning this was meant for export to the United States.
It was sent to Luigi Chinetti in 1959 and later sold to Robert Bodin of New York. At some point it was in the care of Allen M. Woodall of Columbus Georgia. During the 1980s the car was treated to an extensive restoration where it was painted in red and had a tan interior. In the very early 1990s the car was offered for sale by Ron Spangler's Prancing Horse Farm for $2.4 million. David Frankel took possession of the car around 1993. It was purchased by William Jacobs in 1994 and shown at the Cavallino Classic in 1995. David Smith of Medina, Wa was the vehicles next owner in 1997.
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.
John Mozart of Palo Alto, CA was the vehicles next care-taker. In August of 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction where it fetched an impressive $4.45 million including buyer's premium.
It was shown at the 2008 Cavallino Classic.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008
Luigi Chinetti and Johnny von Neumann, a California resident, were the individuals responsible for the designation 'California' on a Ferrari. The California region offered plenty of opportunity for open-air cruising, had good roads, an emerging prosperity, and a beautiful climate. The design was created by Pinin Farina with the shape and fabrication performed at the Renaissance craft shop of Sergio Scaglietti.
Chassis number 0769GT was the first California Spyder and was created in the later part of 1957. 0769GT is often considered a transitional car from the prior cabriolet production to the new Spyder bodied cars. As production continued, there evolved two distinct series of the California, built between 1958 and 1962 with total production reach 105 units. The first series had a wheelbase that measured 2600mm and are often considered 'LWB' (Long Wheel Base) models. A total of 51 examples of the LWB versions were created with nine being alloy-bodied competition models. 54 examples of the second series were produced, all resting on a wheelbase that measured 2400mm.
1431GT
This vehicle has chassis number 1431GT, engine number 1431GT, transmission number 223-D, and rear axle number 465. It is the 28th long wheelbase ever constructed and is equipped with many early, rare, and desirable features. It has the Type 128D variation of the three-liter Colombo V12 engine and was the last Cal Spyder example fitted with this engine type. The D-Series engine were the last with the inboard spark plug location where the plugs are positioned along the inside of the cylinder head. The rear axle and transmission are the Type 508D. The rear axle is fitted with an 8x34 ring and pinion resulting in a 4.25:1 gear ratio and better acceleration.
When this car left the Ferrari factory as a rolling chassis to receive its Scaglietti coachwork, it was fitted with a temporary engine and gearbox. It was sent to Scaglietti on May 6th of 1959. On July 29th it was assembled with the correct Type 128D engine. The car was then fitted with many features including a German ZF steering gearbox with 20:1 turning ratio, a 90-liter capacity fuel tank, Abarth exhaust system, and a cooling system with a thermostat. There are covered headlights, classic wood rim Nardi steering wheel, Borrani RW 3264 chromed wire wheels, and instruments in 'Miglia' or miles, meaning this was meant for export to the United States.
It was sent to Luigi Chinetti in 1959 and later sold to Robert Bodin of New York. At some point it was in the care of Allen M. Woodall of Columbus Georgia. During the 1980s the car was treated to an extensive restoration where it was painted in red and had a tan interior. In the very early 1990s the car was offered for sale by Ron Spangler's Prancing Horse Farm for $2.4 million. David Frankel took possession of the car around 1993. It was purchased by William Jacobs in 1994 and shown at the Cavallino Classic in 1995. David Smith of Medina, Wa was the vehicles next owner in 1997.
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.
John Mozart of Palo Alto, CA was the vehicles next care-taker. In August of 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction where it fetched an impressive $4.45 million including buyer's premium.
It was shown at the 2008 Cavallino Classic.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Ferrari 250 GT California
(Data based on Model Year 1959 sales)
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione Chassis#: 1235 GT Sold for USD$10,840,000 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione by Scaglietti Chassis#: 1451 GT Sold for USD$17,990,000 2017 RM Sotheby's : Icons | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#: 1503 GT Sold for USD$9,453,996 2017 RM Sothebys : Ferrari - Leggenda e Passione | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione Chassis#: 1603 GT Sold for USD$18,150,000 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#: 1307GT Sold for USD$8,500,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Chassis#: 1425 GT Sold for USD$7,700,000 2015 Gooding & Company - Arizona | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder avec hard-top dusine Sold for USD$5,890,875 2012 Artcurial Motorcars at Rétromobile | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Chassis#: 1505 GT Sold for USD$3,905,000 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Chassis#: 1215 GT Sold for USD$3,355,000 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Chassis#: 1307 GT Sold for USD$3,594,578 2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Chassis#: 1489GT Sold for USD$2,612,500 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Chassis#: 1603 GT Sold for USD$7,260,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Chassis#: 1253 Sold for USD$2,755,346 2010 RM Auctions - Sporting Classics of Monaco | |
1959 Ferrari 250GT California (LWB) Chassis#: 1487 GT Sold for USD$2,858,689 2009 Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Chassis#: 1489GT Sold for USD$3,630,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Chassis#: 1217 GT Sold for USD$1,320,000 2005 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
1959 Ferrari California Spyder Replica Sold for USD$54,060 2003 The Florida Collector Car Auction |
Ferrari 250 GT Californias That Failed To Sell At Auction
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti | 1203 GT | 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $9,000,000 | $11,000,000 | |
1959 Ferrari 250GT California Spider | 1411GT | 2012 Bonhams Exceptional Ferrari Motor Cars | $800,000 | $100,000 | |
1959 Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spyder Recreation | 2009 Bonhams Goodwood Revival, Chichester, Sussex | $260,000 | $300,000 | ||
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California | 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island | $1,975,000 | $2,400,000 | $2,900,000 | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Cal Spyder | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $850,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $6,462,944 range.
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ARAVIS 'SPECIAL CABRIOLET' Chassis#:57768 Sold for $6,605,000 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe Series III by Pinin Farina Chassis#:1305 SA Sold for $6,605,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1955 Ferrari 121 LM Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#:0546 LM Sold for $6,172,602 2023 RM Sothebys : Le Mans | |
1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta Touring Superleggera Chassis#:0120 A Sold for $6,179,415 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1960 FERRARI 250 GT SWB BERLINETTA COMPETIZIONE Chassis#:2021 GT Sold for $6,697,357 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1998 Ferrari F300 Chassis#:187 Sold for $6,220,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2002 Ferrari F2002 Chassis#:219 Sold for $6,643,750 2019 RM Sothebys : Abu Dhabi | |
1965 Aston Martin DB5 'Bond Car' Chassis#:DB5/2008/R Sold for $6,385,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta Chassis#:0905 GT Sold for $6,600,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1959 Aston Martin DB4GT Prototype Chassis#:DP199/1 Sold for $6,765,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1952 FERRARI 340 AMERICA SPIDER COMPETIZIONE Chassis#:0196A Sold for $6,380,000 2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen Chassis#:408383 Sold for $6,600,000 2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction | |
1950 Ferrari 166 MM/195 S Berlinetta Le Mans Chassis#:0060 M Sold for $6,490,000 2016 Gooding & Company : The Scottsdale Auction | |
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Chassis#:09413 Sold for $6,400,000 2015 Rick Cole Monterey | |
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina Chassis#:1945 SA Sold for $6,380,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pinin Farina Chassis#:1181 GT Sold for $6,472,939 2014 RM Auctions : Monaco | |
1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster by Figoni et Falaschi Chassis#:48667 Sold for $6,600,000 2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet Chassis#:0791 GT Sold for $6,160,000 2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta 'Tour de France' Chassis#:0585GT Sold for $6,710,000 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey | |
1955 Ferrari 857 Sport Chassis#:0588 M Sold for $6,270,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Ferrari 250 GT California model years