1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

Of the 106 California Spiders built between 1957 and 1962, 50 were original long-wheelbase (LWB) models and 56 of the later short-wheelbase (SWB) variant. While each example was unique, this particular example, chassis number 1235 GT, was fitted with high-performance components and became responsible for much of the model's raicng record in Italy. The original owner was an amateur racing driver named Dott. Ottavio Randaccio who began his racing career in 1954 when he entered a Lancia Aurelia in the Mille Miglia. He drove a 250 Mille Miglia at Monza in 1955 fell in love with the model, buying his own Ferrari in 1956 - a 250 GT Tour de France, which he raced in various events through 1958. The 250 GT LWB California Spider replaced his Tour de France.

This car received a tipo 128D engine, the latest version of the classic Colombo V-12, built with Hi-Lift tipo 130 camshafts, high-compression (9.3:1) Borgo pistons, and three Weber 36 DCL3 carburetors topped with a cold air box and open velocity stacks. It used a competition-specification gearbox with ribbed aluminum casting for improved cooling, limited-slip differential, Abarth exhaust, and a 136-liter fuel tank.

The steel body by Carrozzeria Scaglietti included covered headlamps and a competition-type, quick-release external fuel filler. The exterior was finished in ricolore (tricolor) livery – red with a white and green central stripe – and registered it in Milan as 'MI 416875.'

Randaccio campaigned 1235 GT in several Italian circuit races and hill climbs, capturing class wins in his first two outings during the summer of 1959. In September, he drove the California Spider in the final race of his career, the Coppa Inter-Europa di Monza. It wore race number 78 and placed 5th overall.

The California Spider was sold in October of 1959 to Giuseppina Piatti of Bergamo, Italy, who repainted it metallic silver gray and fitted a hardtop and custom vertical bumperettes. Piatti sold the Spider in May of 1960 to its third owner, and from there it would be sold through a succession of Italian owners over the next 35 years, most keeping it for brief spells. Blocchi Togni S.p.A. of Milan owned 1235 GT from 1960 to 1967, and Nicola Gandini of Florence, Italy, retained the car from 1973 until 1993.

Mark Ketcham acquired the California Spider from a dealer in Vicenza, Italy in 1995 and traded it among his clients over the next three years. Charles Betz and Fred Peters acquired the car around 1999 and during their ownership displaced it at Concorso Italiano in Monterey and the FCA National Concours in Los Angeles. Since 2004, it has been housed in a private collection.

The current owner has treated the car to high-quality restoration work carried out in a no-expense-spared fashion by the leading Bay Area specialists. A complete engine rebuild and fine-tuning of the chassis was performed by Phil Reilly & Company of Corte Madera, California. Since then, the car has been used on numerous local tours and organized rallies such as the Colorado Grand, which it ran as recently as 2017. More recently, the car was returned to its original livery, with the work performed by Moal Coachbuilders in Oakland, California.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2021