SWB Spyder
Chassis #: 2871 GT
Engine #: 2871
The high-performance 250 GT California Spider wore coachwork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti and was aimed at a very specific segment of Ferrari's American clientele: young, well-heeled enthusiasts who wanted a stylish, thoroughbred sports car that was suitable for both road and track. It featured a racy, swept-back windscreen, a lightweight folding top, competition-inspired bucket seats, and minimal interior appointments. Ferrari used a long-wheelbase chassis (LWB) for the earliest examples, which it shared with the 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta and Series I Cabriolet. It was not until late 1959 that the California Spider was given disc brakes and tubular shock absorbers. Several examples were factory-equipped with competition features such as aluminum coachwork, high-lift camshafts, and long-range fuel tanks with outside fillers. In this guise, several California Spiders were able to achieve success in racing, including a 5th Place finish at Le Mans, a class win at Sebring, and many victories in SCCA B-production events.In 1960, with the introduction of short-wheelbase (SWB) Berlinetta, Ferrari thoroughly redesigned the California Spider. It was given a more sophisticated chassis, with standard four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, a more refined suspension, and new outside-plug Tipo 168 and 168/61 engines. Scaglietti redesigned the California's coachwork, giving it a more aggressive and sporty persona, with curvaceous front fenders and muscular rear haunches. The interior was luxuriously trimmed with stitched leather, wool carpeting, and redesigned seats.
Several SWB examples were raced at major European events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California
Ferrari
2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $15,000,000-USD $17,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $17,160,000
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 SWB California Spider Chassis#: 3095 GT Sold for USD$16,830,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Chassis#: 2935GT Sold for USD$18,553,009 2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars | ![]() ![]() |
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 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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti | 2505 GT | 2015 RM Sotheby's : Villa Erba | $11,000,000 | $13,000,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $15,727,002 range.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Chassis#:09051 Sold for $14,520,000 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Chassis#:DB4GT/0186/R Sold for $14,300,000 2015 RM Sotheby's NY Auction : Driven By Distruption | ![]() ![]() |
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale Chassis#:3269 GT Sold for $16,500,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Chassis#:3095 GT Sold for $16,830,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Chassis#:2903 GT Sold for $15,180,000 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Chassis#:0666 TR Sold for $16,390,000 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | ![]() ![]() |
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California
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