1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder

Ferrari often named its limited-edition 'halo' products after its intended market, beginning with the 212 Export of the early 1950s, which was intended for American privateer use. The concurrent Inter cars destined for European markets had a more conservative mechanical specification. The 340 America that followed was intended for wealthy customers and was built in limited numbers. Beneath the graceful bonnet was a Lampredi-designed racing engine, while the interior was luxuriously trimmed that rivaled the final touring cars of the era. The 342 and 375 America models continued the formula established by its forebears, replaced by several series of large-bore Superamerica models.

In 1957, Ferrari began offering a racing spider version that was specifically conceived for the United States' west-coast market. Birthed from the 250 GT model line, the 250 GT California Spider was powered by the Colombo-designed 3-liter engine. A total of 106 examples were built of the dual-purpose Spider through two different iterations on the long and short-wheelbase chassis.

Ferrari unveiled a new open-top model in 1966 at the Geneva Salon on Pininfarina's stand, combining the tradition of the Superamerica and the California Spider. It would be the final entry in Ferrari's vintage tradition of building limited-edition supercars for the wealthy and well-heeled clientele.

The coachwork designed and built by Pininfarina was mounted on a derivation of Ferrari's type 598 chassis, using the same 2,650 millimeter-wheelbase dimensions as used for the 330 GT 2+2. Beneath the bonnet was a single-overhead-cam 330 engine, enlarged to 44 liters. This was Ferrari's first road car to wear the 365 nomenclature, presaging the 365 GTC and GTS, along with the dual-cam 365 GTB/4 Daytona and Spider, and the 365 GTC/4.

The front-end styling was similar to the 500 Superfast, with pop-up driving lamps set inboard of the main lights, faired-in headlamps, and a small oval nose. There was a steeply raked windscreen and seemingly endless sweeping lines that converged into an angular Kamm tail at the rear.

Over an eighteen-month period, a mere 14 examples were built. Like the previous California Spyder, the 365 California Spyder was exclusive, luxurious, powerful, and exquisitely designed.

This particular 365 California has undergone Ferrari Classiche certification, meaning it has its matching-numbers chassis, engine, gearbox, rear axle, and body. It was completed in May 1967 and was ordered new by Waldorf Leasing on behalf of Los Angeles resident Nancy Tewksbury. It wore a Rosso Cina (China Red) exterior with Bianco Molitan 'M' white leather interior, red carpets and was given a passenger headrest, instruments in miles, and air conditioning. It came standard with power steering and Borrani wire wheels, along with an uprated Bendix fuel pump.

A factory certificate of origin was issued in mid-June. It was then shipped to Chinetti Motors in New York and subsequently dispatched to Mrs. Tewksbury, who officially leased the car from Waldorf Leasing. After a few brief months, the Ferrari was sold in 1968 to its second private owner, Charles Garretson of Detroit, Michigan. During 1969, it entered the care of Kirk F. White Motorcars, which in turn sold the car to Bob Grossman. In March 1971, it was purchased by Dr. Donald Grove, who used it as a daily driver for many years. In late 1978, Dr. Grove submitted the Ferrari to The Motorcar Company of Cranbrook, New Jersey, for a comprehensive restoration.

After the restoration work was completed, the 36 was displayed in September 1982 at a Ferrari meeting in Bel Air, Maryland, organized by Ron Spangler, proprietor of the Prancing Horse Farm.

Dr. Grove owned the car until at least 1998. In 2004, the Ferrari was sold to a Florida-based dealer who presented the Ferrari at the Cavallino Classic staged at the 2004 Concorso Italiano in California, earning a Platinum Award. The current owner purchased the 365 California in June 2006.

Paul Russell & Company was tasked with performing a top-shelf refurbishment, addressing every mechanical and cosmetic element, including a refinish in the original color scheme of Rosso Cina paint over a Bianco Molitan 'M' leather interior. After the work was completed in 2009, the California was shown at several shows, including the Cavallino Classic in January 2009. Three months later, the owner took the Spyder on a tour of some major European events, and in 2017, the car was invited to participate in the factory's 70th Anniversary Classiche Cavalcade, which it successfully completed.

The Ferrari 365 California was certified in April 2013 by Ferrari Classiche with a Red Book.

This Ferrari is the ninth of 14 examples built.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024