1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

The Ferrari California Spider was designed and marketed as a multi-purpose sports car capable of racing and equally suitable for grand touring. With a lightweight aluminum body and tuned engine, it could function as a serious racing car. In this guise, just nine LWB California Spiders were original constructed with alloy coachwork, and of those, just a few left the factory with competition features. The alloy-bodied Spiders were produced on a one-off basis throughout the 50-car production run, and no two examples are exactly alike. The nine examples display many differences, both aesthetically and mechanically.

Without direct factory support and despite their limited production, the California Spider Competiziones achieved impressive results. From 1959 to 1961, alloy-bodied California Spiders won their class at major events (Sebring, Bridgehampton, Nassau, and Watkins Glen) and dominated the SCCA's B and C Production classes.

This 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder Competizione features an alloy body and left hand drive configuration. It was created on November 23rd of 1959 and is the 42nd example created. It is powered by a Type 168 engine mated to a Tipo 508C/525 gearbox. This engine was the same unit found in the Competition SWB Berlinettas, and was a development of Ferrari's 250 Testa Rossa sports racing cars and was installed in just four LWB California Spiders. The engine in 1603 GT was factory-equipped with Testa Rossa-type cylinder heads, featuring high-lift Tipo 130 camshafts and 9.8:1. It was fitted with three Weber 40 DCL6 carburetors with velocity stacks and an Abarth competition exhaust. In comparison to the standard LWB California Spider, this example produces approximately 50 more horsepower.

1603 GT was given lightweight aluminum coachwork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti in Modena and features the covered-headlight arrangement.

It was first owned by George Reed of Midlothian, IL via Chinetti Motors. Reed campaigned it during the remainder of the 1959 season through 1961. It raced in the Tourist Trophy, 12 Hours of Sebring, Governor's Trophy, Nassau Trophy and at Road America. At the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1960, the car was driven by Reed and Alan Connell to 5th overall, and third in class.

At the close of the 1964 season, Reed sold the Ferrari to a resident of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Ed Zwintscher of Wisconsin acquired the car around 1969. In 1984, Brian Brunkhorst acquired 1603 GT and sent it to Wayne Obry's Motion Products Inc. in Neenah, Wisconsin for a full restoration. The car was then finished in dark blue with a tan interior.

In 1989, Mr. Brunkhorst displayed the California at the 25th Ferrari Club of America annual meeting, where it received a First in Class award. It was later shown at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. In the 1990s, the car was sold to Michael Mak, who traded it to Dennis Machul for another significant Ferrari in 2000. The following year, Todd Morici acquired 1603 GT, and he campaigned it in several vintage races before refinishing the car in its original Sebring livery. While in Mr. Morici's ownership, the car was certified by the Ferrari Classiche Department, which confirmed it as an authentic example, retaining its original chassis, body, engine, gearbox, rear end, and other major components.

The current owner acquired the car in 2010 and immediately set about performing a selective cosmetic restoration. Completed in January 2011, the California Spider was displayed at the annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, where it earned an FCA Platinum Award and the Competizione Cup for the most outstanding competition Ferrari.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016