Ferrari lovers know what’s up when it comes to finding the perfect marriage of design and engineering. If you’ve ever heard a Ferrari when it first starts up, you know that it’s one of the most beautiful sounds ever. The quelled roar of the car is a feat of true power. And don’t get us started on classic Ferraris. Even better.
Right now, one of the most beautiful Ferraris we’ve ever seen is up for auction, and we just can’t stop looking at it. It’s the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, which will be offered at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auctions in March. It’s estimated to go for about $18,000,000 to $20,000,000, but you can peek at it as much as you want, before streaming its sale.
Ferraris like this only resurface every so often. It’s got a really cool history too. In the late fifties, Ferrari was looking to develop a new open 250 GT variant for the North American market, which was doing really well. The company had lots of input from two of their biggest dealers in the US, who told them that buyers were looking for cars that they could use to commute during the week and then race on the weekend, as you do.
So that’s where the name California Spider comes from! It’s made for a California type of clientele– sporty and beautiful. The early examples were built on a long wheelbase, but eventually, in 1960, the short-wheelbase Berlinetta was introduced. Famed coach builder Carrozzeria Scaglietti redesigned the coachwork around this new chassis. That’s where the stunning curvy front fenders, muscly rear haunches, and sporty appearance come from.
There were only 106 examples of the 250 GT California Spider, and only 56 of the short-wheelbase variant. This one (even rarer) has covered headlights. It also is painted in this rare aquamarine livery, making it ultra-California-cool. The 61 V-12 engine, 4-wheel Dunlop servo-assisted disc brakes, and four-speed manual gearbox are no joke either.
In the 70s, this car was sold for a mere $2,400. Later, in the early 2000s, it underwent a very discerning restoration to bring it back to its original concours standards, which included sourcing the iconic original color. It was once again a showstopper (duh!), winning both the Platinum Award and Judges Cup at the Cavallino Classic and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. Ferrari also awarded it the Certificazione de Autenticità, which is a pretty big deal in the Ferrari collecting community.
This rare and gorgeous California Spider is in stunning condition and is sure to be snapped up by a Ferrari lover. In the meantime, you can learn more and see it on the road through the online Gooding & Company catalogue before the Amelia Island Auctions in March, see more beautiful examples, or register to bid if you’re feeling gutsy.
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