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1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

  • Coachwork by Scaglietti
  • Designed by Pininfarina
  • Chassis Number: 1603GT
  • VIN Number: 1603 GT
  • Engine Number: 1603 GT
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

2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $18,000,000-USD $20,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $18,150,000

2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions

Sale Price :
USD $7,260,000

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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
1959 Ferrari 250 GT
Chassis#: 1603 GT
Sold for USD$7,260,000
  2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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 California image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti1203 GT2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $9,000,000$11,000,000
1959 Ferrari 250GT California Spider1411GT2012 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  

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1959 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle thumbnail image  1959 Ferrari 250 GT California vehicle thumbnail image  
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1959 Ferrari 250 GT California

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