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First seen at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, this Scaglietti-designed Short Wheelbase Spyder California replaced the Long Wheelbase Spyder California. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Spyder California has a 280 horsepower, 3-liter V12 engine and was the first Ferrari to have disc brakes. In all, 54 cars were built and are the most sought after of all open Ferrari's. This example with chassis number 4013GT, was Enzo Ferrari's own car before it was sold to a friend and fellow enthusiast. The current owner is the vehicles third owner.
Ferrari's development of the California Spyder was motivated by U.S. distributors Jon von Neumann and Luigi Chinetti who convinced the company to create a performance convertible named after their best market. The California Spyder emerged with supercar performance and became highly desirable, especially due to its limited availability. Each car was special too, and some examples came with competition-spec engines or the very rare factory hard top.
California Spyder bodies were hand crafted by Carozerria Scaglietti, which built most of Ferrari's competition bodies at the time. The design was largely based of Pinin Farina's 250 GT Cabriolet Series I. Some cars featured more functional uncovered, rather than fared-in, headlights. The overall design, especially with covered headlights, was often described as more rakish than the much more subdued and luxurious 250 GT Cabriolet.
Inside, each Spyder had a no-frills interior and a small heater was the only luxury. Behind the seats, a fabric top was installed which was tidy, and well proportioned when upright, but was made with no inner liner.
A total of 125 cars were competed from 1958-1963, and they became the most prized Ferraris on the road. The series was followed up by a very limited run of 356 Spyders made in 1967.
This 1963 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder has a short wheelbase and chassis number 4013 GT. It was styled by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. The first owner of the car was Enzo Ferrari. He later gave it as a gift to childhood friend Emil Tosi, who raced it in Sports Car Club of America events. It was during that time the headlights were converted from the original covered to the open style.
The current owner purchased the car over 30 years ago. The headlights were restored back to the closed style. The interior remains original, and excluding small touched-up areas, the lacquer paint finish is almost 15 years old. It is steel bodied, except for the alloy hood and trunk.
This is the most original 250 SWB Spyder California in the world.
4013 has run in numerous SCCA events, many Colorado Grands, the California Mille Miglia, the Copperstate 1000, Mille Autunno, Pebble Beach Motor Classic & Tour d'Elegance, as well as numerous Ferrari Club events.
Ferrari's development of the California Spyder was motivated by U.S. distributors Jon von Neumann and Luigi Chinetti who convinced the company to create a performance convertible named after their best market. The California Spyder emerged with supercar performance and became highly desirable, especially due to its limited availability. Each car was special too, and some examples came with competition-spec engines or the very rare factory hard top.
California Spyder bodies were hand crafted by Carozerria Scaglietti, which built most of Ferrari's competition bodies at the time. The design was largely based of Pinin Farina's 250 GT Cabriolet Series I. Some cars featured more functional uncovered, rather than fared-in, headlights. The overall design, especially with covered headlights, was often described as more rakish than the much more subdued and luxurious 250 GT Cabriolet.
Inside, each Spyder had a no-frills interior and a small heater was the only luxury. Behind the seats, a fabric top was installed which was tidy, and well proportioned when upright, but was made with no inner liner.
A total of 125 cars were competed from 1958-1963, and they became the most prized Ferraris on the road. The series was followed up by a very limited run of 356 Spyders made in 1967.
This 1963 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder has a short wheelbase and chassis number 4013 GT. It was styled by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. The first owner of the car was Enzo Ferrari. He later gave it as a gift to childhood friend Emil Tosi, who raced it in Sports Car Club of America events. It was during that time the headlights were converted from the original covered to the open style.
The current owner purchased the car over 30 years ago. The headlights were restored back to the closed style. The interior remains original, and excluding small touched-up areas, the lacquer paint finish is almost 15 years old. It is steel bodied, except for the alloy hood and trunk.
This is the most original 250 SWB Spyder California in the world.
4013 has run in numerous SCCA events, many Colorado Grands, the California Mille Miglia, the Copperstate 1000, Mille Autunno, Pebble Beach Motor Classic & Tour d'Elegance, as well as numerous Ferrari Club events.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the Ferrari 250 GT California
(Data based on Model Year 1963 sales)
1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder Chassis#: 4137 Sold for USD$17,875,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee |
Ferrari 250 GT Californias That Failed To Sell At Auction
1963 Ferrari 250 GT California's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder | 4121GT | 2008 Automobiles of London | $2,625,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,500,000 |
1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Cal Spyder | 2003 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | $1,300,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $17,875,000 range.
1962 FERRARI 250 GT SWB CALIFORNIA SPIDER Chassis#:3099 GT Sold for $18,045,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta Chassis#:412024 Sold for $19,054,874 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione by Scaglietti Chassis#:1451 GT Sold for $17,990,000 2017 RM Sotheby's : Icons | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione Chassis#:1603 GT Sold for $18,150,000 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Chassis#:2871 GT Sold for $17,160,000 2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction | |
1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti Chassis#:6105 Sold for $17,600,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
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#:2935GT Sold for $18,553,009 2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars | |
1954 FERRARI 4.9-LITRE 375-PLUS SPORTS-RACING TWO-SEAT SPIDER COMPETIZIONE Chassis#:0384 Sold for $18,324,502 2014 The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | |
1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Chassis#:0666 TR Sold for $16,390,000 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions |
1963 Ferrari 250 GT California
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