California Spider
See also : Ferrari LWB to GTO Post war cars Cars 1958-59 Cars of the 1960s Cars 1960-61 Cars 1962-64 Movies
Chronology : 1958 1959
Chronology : 1958 1959
1958 Under the Californian Sun
2019 SOLD for $ 10M including premium
Ferrari is relying on its 250 GT to offer high-end commercial models. The berlinetta, which will soon be nicknamed TdF, appears in 1956 and the Cabriolet Pinin Farina in 1957. The Ferrari dealers in the United States, Von Neumann on the West Coast and Chinetti in the East, welcome these novelties with the utmost interest.
Von Neumann and Chinetti conclude that the new Ferraris do not respond to the evolution of the American market. The Cabriolet Pinin Farina targets a clientele of billionaires and should not be compared with a sports car. The berlinetta interposes its hardtop between its seaters and the Californian sun. It is even more unfortunate when considering that celebrities enjoy the convertibles for better agglutinating the paparazzi around the luxury and elegance of their privileged lives.
Enzo Ferrari is not convinced. In December 1957, however, he releases a prototype that meets the demands of his US partners. Scaglietti, the coachbuilder who was assembling the TdF, had used the same chassis model to build a cabriolet, without bringing other technical innovations. Nevertheless this car intended for an American use already includes the option of covered headlamps, prohibited in Italy.
The prototype is delivered in January 1958 to an American customer via Chinetti. It was sold for $ 6.6M including premium by Gooding on August 19, 2012.
Scaglietti begins assembling a series in June 1958 with an average rate of two cars per month, without making any other prototype. Enzo remains reluctant but is pragmatic. If Scaglietti does not make this Speciale, the customers will commission him to transform their berlinettas and Ferrari will lose the commercial control of this model.
The new 250 GT is finally announced as a separate model in December 1958, under the name Ferrari 250 Granturismo Spyder California which can be abbreviated as Ferrari 250 California. The term 'cabriolet' is carefully avoided to maintain the sales of the very expensive 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. The word Spyder, with a Y like for the Porsche Spyder, appeals new customers who desire a dual use in road and competition. This model is now designated Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider.
Built in November 1958, a California Spider was sold for $ 8.8M including premium by RM on January 18, 2014. Listed by the same auction house on August 20, 2016, it was not sold. It is estimated $ 11M for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 16, lot 44. Here is the link to the press release. It is driven by David Gooding in the video shared by the auction house.
Von Neumann and Chinetti conclude that the new Ferraris do not respond to the evolution of the American market. The Cabriolet Pinin Farina targets a clientele of billionaires and should not be compared with a sports car. The berlinetta interposes its hardtop between its seaters and the Californian sun. It is even more unfortunate when considering that celebrities enjoy the convertibles for better agglutinating the paparazzi around the luxury and elegance of their privileged lives.
Enzo Ferrari is not convinced. In December 1957, however, he releases a prototype that meets the demands of his US partners. Scaglietti, the coachbuilder who was assembling the TdF, had used the same chassis model to build a cabriolet, without bringing other technical innovations. Nevertheless this car intended for an American use already includes the option of covered headlamps, prohibited in Italy.
The prototype is delivered in January 1958 to an American customer via Chinetti. It was sold for $ 6.6M including premium by Gooding on August 19, 2012.
Scaglietti begins assembling a series in June 1958 with an average rate of two cars per month, without making any other prototype. Enzo remains reluctant but is pragmatic. If Scaglietti does not make this Speciale, the customers will commission him to transform their berlinettas and Ferrari will lose the commercial control of this model.
The new 250 GT is finally announced as a separate model in December 1958, under the name Ferrari 250 Granturismo Spyder California which can be abbreviated as Ferrari 250 California. The term 'cabriolet' is carefully avoided to maintain the sales of the very expensive 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina. The word Spyder, with a Y like for the Porsche Spyder, appeals new customers who desire a dual use in road and competition. This model is now designated Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider.
Built in November 1958, a California Spider was sold for $ 8.8M including premium by RM on January 18, 2014. Listed by the same auction house on August 20, 2016, it was not sold. It is estimated $ 11M for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 16, lot 44. Here is the link to the press release. It is driven by David Gooding in the video shared by the auction house.
1958 The Midnight Blue Ferrari
2013 SOLD 8.25 M$ including premium
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is the most regular highlight of the greatest meetings of luxury cars. Made in about one hundred units by considering altogether its successive LWB and SWB versions, it is indeed much less rare than its counterparts designed for competition such as the 250 TR and the 250 GTO.
The best examples always maintain very high prices, making it undoubtedly the most desirable production car and one of the greatest masterpieces of Scaglietti.
To be presentable at the top level, it must have had a flawless display allowing it to entice the collectors in the months preceding the auction sale.
The 250 GT LWB California Spider for sale by Gooding in Scottsdale on January 18 has all these qualities and expects $ 5.5 M. Here is the link to the catalog.
It is one of the last units of the first full year of production, 1958, and has retained its original equipment ("matching numbers"). Restored in 2012 by one of the best specialists, Dennison International, it was then shown with the insistence of a star: it gleaned trophies at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach and the Ferrari Club of America, and was recertified by Ferrari Classiche.
The model is remarkably elegant, but this unit is particularly spectacular, viewed from the outside with its unusual midnight blue paint, and from inside with its luxurious leather.
POST SALE COMMENT
This car was confirmed as one of the most desirable examples of Ferrari spiders. Sold $ 7.5 million hammer price, 8.25 million including premium, it has far exceeded its lower estimate.
The best examples always maintain very high prices, making it undoubtedly the most desirable production car and one of the greatest masterpieces of Scaglietti.
To be presentable at the top level, it must have had a flawless display allowing it to entice the collectors in the months preceding the auction sale.
The 250 GT LWB California Spider for sale by Gooding in Scottsdale on January 18 has all these qualities and expects $ 5.5 M. Here is the link to the catalog.
It is one of the last units of the first full year of production, 1958, and has retained its original equipment ("matching numbers"). Restored in 2012 by one of the best specialists, Dennison International, it was then shown with the insistence of a star: it gleaned trophies at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach and the Ferrari Club of America, and was recertified by Ferrari Classiche.
The model is remarkably elegant, but this unit is particularly spectacular, viewed from the outside with its unusual midnight blue paint, and from inside with its luxurious leather.
POST SALE COMMENT
This car was confirmed as one of the most desirable examples of Ferrari spiders. Sold $ 7.5 million hammer price, 8.25 million including premium, it has far exceeded its lower estimate.
1959 Aluminum for Chinetti
2017 SOLD for $ 18M including premium
Designed on the 250 GT chassis as a cabriolet to please American customers, the California Spider (or Spyder) was not expected by Ferrari to compete in endurance racing against the berlinetta nicknamed TdF built on the same chassis.
It was however tempting to push the California into the competition. Luigi Chinetti is acting between Ferrari and American customers. Having been at the origin of the California project, he obtains from Ferrari the delivery of aluminum alloy bodied spiders.
In 1959 the 250 GT chassis is still in its long version which will later be identified as LWB. For the 24 hours of Le Mans in that year Chinetti and his NART team enter three Ferraris : a 250 Testa Rossa, a 250 TdF and a California Spider.
Released from the factory under pressure from Chinetti five days before Le Mans with a simple flash of paint and a far from completeinterior layout, this 250 GT LWB California Spider is the second of its kind in the Competizione configuration. Driven by its first owner and a co-driver, this brand new car ends the event with a very good result : 5th overall and 3rd in class. It was afterward honorably participating in various American competitions in 1959 and 1960.
This high-end car with a competition history is still more desirable since it was restored in 2011 by Motion Products Inc., the company of Wayne Obry. It is for sale by RM Sotheby's in New York on December 6, lot 141 estimated $ 14M.
One of the seven (or eight) other LWB aluminum bodied Spiders was sold for $ 18M including premium by Gooding on August 20, 2016. Ferrari and NART did not push this solution much further : only three SWB Spiders will be built for competition.
It was however tempting to push the California into the competition. Luigi Chinetti is acting between Ferrari and American customers. Having been at the origin of the California project, he obtains from Ferrari the delivery of aluminum alloy bodied spiders.
In 1959 the 250 GT chassis is still in its long version which will later be identified as LWB. For the 24 hours of Le Mans in that year Chinetti and his NART team enter three Ferraris : a 250 Testa Rossa, a 250 TdF and a California Spider.
Released from the factory under pressure from Chinetti five days before Le Mans with a simple flash of paint and a far from completeinterior layout, this 250 GT LWB California Spider is the second of its kind in the Competizione configuration. Driven by its first owner and a co-driver, this brand new car ends the event with a very good result : 5th overall and 3rd in class. It was afterward honorably participating in various American competitions in 1959 and 1960.
This high-end car with a competition history is still more desirable since it was restored in 2011 by Motion Products Inc., the company of Wayne Obry. It is for sale by RM Sotheby's in New York on December 6, lot 141 estimated $ 14M.
One of the seven (or eight) other LWB aluminum bodied Spiders was sold for $ 18M including premium by Gooding on August 20, 2016. Ferrari and NART did not push this solution much further : only three SWB Spiders will be built for competition.
1959 A California Spider in Lightweight Alloy
2016 SOLD for $ 18M including premium
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider in the wheel base later identified as LWB is a series of 50 sports cars produced to please American customers between 1957 and 1960. The SWB is its successor. The brand continually works to improve its products and remains attentive to specific needs, which can create significant disparities from one vehicle to another.
Nine 'LWB' were originally built for competition with a lightweight body in aluminum alloy. A California Spider 'LWB' Competizione built in 1959 is for sale on August 20 by Gooding in Pebble Beach, lot 033. It is illustrated in the post shared by Forbes.
The settings of this model had been specially effective, including some engine components from the Testa Rossa to achieve a compression ratio of 9.8: 1, the highest of all the LWB, and a power of 275 hp about 50 hp over the basic model. Its features include from the origin the disc brakes, a rarity at that time, and its headlights are covered.
Sold to Chinetti for George Reed who was Ferrari's agent in Illinois and Wisconsin, it was raced with some parsimony until 1964 and remains in a matching numbers configuration for all its major elements.
This car is exceptional when considering that it is the best performing from all the LWB and that only three SWB California Spider Competizione were later assembled. It is estimated $ 18M.
Another LWB California Spider Competizione was sold for $ 11.3 million including premium on 18 August 2012, also by Gooding. Made in 1960, it had been used by Reed as a show car. It was in excellent condition but with no racing history.
Nine 'LWB' were originally built for competition with a lightweight body in aluminum alloy. A California Spider 'LWB' Competizione built in 1959 is for sale on August 20 by Gooding in Pebble Beach, lot 033. It is illustrated in the post shared by Forbes.
The settings of this model had been specially effective, including some engine components from the Testa Rossa to achieve a compression ratio of 9.8: 1, the highest of all the LWB, and a power of 275 hp about 50 hp over the basic model. Its features include from the origin the disc brakes, a rarity at that time, and its headlights are covered.
Sold to Chinetti for George Reed who was Ferrari's agent in Illinois and Wisconsin, it was raced with some parsimony until 1964 and remains in a matching numbers configuration for all its major elements.
This car is exceptional when considering that it is the best performing from all the LWB and that only three SWB California Spider Competizione were later assembled. It is estimated $ 18M.
Another LWB California Spider Competizione was sold for $ 11.3 million including premium on 18 August 2012, also by Gooding. Made in 1960, it had been used by Reed as a show car. It was in excellent condition but with no racing history.
1959 Ferrari for Playboys
2015 SOLD for $ 8.5M including premium
Concerned about competition, Enzo Ferrari was not interested in convertibles, but he could not ignore these sports cars that will be necessary to the profitability of his business. He includes in his catalog in 1957 the Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Cabriolet which will bring a great commercial success.
In the same year, the improvement of the 250 GT chassis is primarily intended for competition berlinettas. Two dealers in the USA, Von Neumann in California and Chinetti in New York, manage to convince Ferrari to assemble a convertible on the new frame.
The new car designed by Pinin Farina and bodied by Scaglietti enters the catalog in 1958 as the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider. It is interesting to observe that Ferrari does not acknowledge it as a cabriolet but as a spider. Whatever. Under the pressure of the lucrative market of cinema personalities and of playboys, Ferrari has created a model for stars and womanizers.
In 1960, the shortening of the chassis for reasons related to competition does not prevent Ferrari from continuing the removable hardtop version, with a more comfortable cockpit. The car, more efficient on the road, is compact and its look is less sharp. The 50 earliest spiders now renamed Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider will remain the sexiest cars in the whole Ferrari range.
Ferrari did not restrain the 250 GT spider to the American market as he will do in 1967 when Chinetti will force his hand for another cabriolet, the Ferrari 275 GTB / 4 NART Spider. We appreciate why the production of this exceptional 275 was not continued after the first ten units.
Going back to 1959. One of these LWB is released from factory to be sold to an Italian aristocrat. Also coachworked by Scaglietti, this spider includes some refinements that make it one of the prettiest units of the series. Maintained throughout in matching numbers, this car is estimated $ 9M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, lot 118.
In the same year, the improvement of the 250 GT chassis is primarily intended for competition berlinettas. Two dealers in the USA, Von Neumann in California and Chinetti in New York, manage to convince Ferrari to assemble a convertible on the new frame.
The new car designed by Pinin Farina and bodied by Scaglietti enters the catalog in 1958 as the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider. It is interesting to observe that Ferrari does not acknowledge it as a cabriolet but as a spider. Whatever. Under the pressure of the lucrative market of cinema personalities and of playboys, Ferrari has created a model for stars and womanizers.
In 1960, the shortening of the chassis for reasons related to competition does not prevent Ferrari from continuing the removable hardtop version, with a more comfortable cockpit. The car, more efficient on the road, is compact and its look is less sharp. The 50 earliest spiders now renamed Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider will remain the sexiest cars in the whole Ferrari range.
Ferrari did not restrain the 250 GT spider to the American market as he will do in 1967 when Chinetti will force his hand for another cabriolet, the Ferrari 275 GTB / 4 NART Spider. We appreciate why the production of this exceptional 275 was not continued after the first ten units.
Going back to 1959. One of these LWB is released from factory to be sold to an Italian aristocrat. Also coachworked by Scaglietti, this spider includes some refinements that make it one of the prettiest units of the series. Maintained throughout in matching numbers, this car is estimated $ 9M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, lot 118.
1960 Prepared for Competizione
2012 SOLD 11.3 M$ including premium
Better than any other brand, Ferrari perfectly managed to entice their wealthy clients who dreamed being assimilated with the champions of the circuits.
The star model launched in 1958 cleverly maintains this ambiguity: the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is a 250, like the Testa Rossa, and not even a spider as it is a cabriolet.
Two chassis versions existed: LWB (long wheel base) and SWB (short wheel base). These models often come in the auctions and provide opportunities to keep the odds on the favorite version of the market. Remember in this exciting exercise to make sure that the car is with "matching numbers", meaning that it is offered with its original equipment.
There are even better. 12 of these grand touring cars were made in a Competizione configuration, specially benefiting from a lightweight alloy body. 9 of them are LWB and 3 are SWB. They are the best Ferrari cars of their time, making a transition between the 250 TR and the fabulous 250 GTO, created in 1962.
In August 2010 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sold $ 7.26 million including premium a Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione of 1959.
The car of the same model for sale by Gooding on August 18, also at Pebble Beach, was made in the following year, 1960. It is estimated $ 7M. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
There is no doubt: the rare configuration for "Competizione" provides an advantage over the basic model. The price obtained is remarkable: $ 10.25 million hammer, 11.3 million including premium.
The comparison with the 2010 result mentioned above concerning a similar example demonstrates the growth of the market for top end collection cars.
The star model launched in 1958 cleverly maintains this ambiguity: the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is a 250, like the Testa Rossa, and not even a spider as it is a cabriolet.
Two chassis versions existed: LWB (long wheel base) and SWB (short wheel base). These models often come in the auctions and provide opportunities to keep the odds on the favorite version of the market. Remember in this exciting exercise to make sure that the car is with "matching numbers", meaning that it is offered with its original equipment.
There are even better. 12 of these grand touring cars were made in a Competizione configuration, specially benefiting from a lightweight alloy body. 9 of them are LWB and 3 are SWB. They are the best Ferrari cars of their time, making a transition between the 250 TR and the fabulous 250 GTO, created in 1962.
In August 2010 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sold $ 7.26 million including premium a Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione of 1959.
The car of the same model for sale by Gooding on August 18, also at Pebble Beach, was made in the following year, 1960. It is estimated $ 7M. Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
There is no doubt: the rare configuration for "Competizione" provides an advantage over the basic model. The price obtained is remarkable: $ 10.25 million hammer, 11.3 million including premium.
The comparison with the 2010 result mentioned above concerning a similar example demonstrates the growth of the market for top end collection cars.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider
2015 SOLD for € 16.3M including premium by Artcurial
1961 Oggi the Ferrari
2016 SOLD for $ 17.2M including premium
On March 11 in Amelia Island, Gooding sells a California Spider. Such event is not unusual but this specific example has many qualities that make it one of the most desirable Ferrari cars. It is estimated $ 15M, lot 069. Here is the link to the press release.
This car built in 1961 has the two outstanding aesthetic achievements by Scaglietti : the bodywork on the shorter frame and the covered headlights. Its color is the best symbol of the brand: it is painted in red and the leathers are black.
It had only three owners from new who carefully maintained and serviced it without modification and it so remains one of the most original from that model. It had probably never left Italy.
This California Spider is the dream car in the film Ieri, Oggi, Domani released in 1963. The movie is composed of three episodes of the Italian life unconnected in location or time, whose only common point is the leading couple, Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.
The central story, Oggi, was inspired from a short novel by Moravia whose title Troppo Ricca demonstrates the intention of social criticism. The woman drives with her lover the Rolls-Rolls of her husband and suddenly considers that she must make a choice between man and car. Relationships become nervous and Sophia crashes the Rolls.
The woman leaves on the road both car and lover and makes hitchhiking. They are near to Milan and the car that boards Sophia is our Ferrari, lent by its owner of that time to the film producer. Italy did not need to rely on concept cars to show on screen the ideal car : they had the 250 GT SWB California Spider.
This car built in 1961 has the two outstanding aesthetic achievements by Scaglietti : the bodywork on the shorter frame and the covered headlights. Its color is the best symbol of the brand: it is painted in red and the leathers are black.
It had only three owners from new who carefully maintained and serviced it without modification and it so remains one of the most original from that model. It had probably never left Italy.
This California Spider is the dream car in the film Ieri, Oggi, Domani released in 1963. The movie is composed of three episodes of the Italian life unconnected in location or time, whose only common point is the leading couple, Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.
The central story, Oggi, was inspired from a short novel by Moravia whose title Troppo Ricca demonstrates the intention of social criticism. The woman drives with her lover the Rolls-Rolls of her husband and suddenly considers that she must make a choice between man and car. Relationships become nervous and Sophia crashes the Rolls.
The woman leaves on the road both car and lover and makes hitchhiking. They are near to Milan and the car that boards Sophia is our Ferrari, lent by its owner of that time to the film producer. Italy did not need to rely on concept cars to show on screen the ideal car : they had the 250 GT SWB California Spider.
1961 The Rest of a Spider
2015 SOLD for $ 16.8M including premium
Until last year, I believed that the top prices among the Ferrari 250 GT California Spiders rewarded the examples in perfect condition. The highest result recorded so far on this model at auction, € 16.3M including premium by Artcurial on February 6, 2015, definitely contradicts such a view.
This car released from factory in 1961 was in the same collection since 1971. Hidden in a barn since 1975 after the bankruptcy of its owner, it had been retrieved under stacks of magazines that had distorted its hood. Ferraris are vehicles of an exceptional robustness: it had valiantly withstood four decades of neglect in the wet French countryside.
More important : it has never been disassembled. Despite its pitiful look, it has everything to become through a careful restoration the best car in its glorious class. Its short belonging in 1963 to a movie star, widely reported by the media before and after the sale, probably had no impact on its price.
Another wonder of the same model and same year is estimated $ 16M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 16, lot 129. Here is the link to the press release.
This car has the same highly desirable original characteristics as the Artcurial specimen : SWB chassis, covered headlights. Its early history is less documented but it also remained untouched, until an engine overhaul in 2014. Moreover, it has never been forgotten by its owners.
The SWB spider is a great achievement by Scaglietti. Its differences with the LWB spider are not spectacular but are extremely important, including a road handling that reaches perfection, a better suspension and luxurious comfort. Cars earlier than the excellence of the SWB can no longer claim the highest prices on the overall Ferrari second hand market.
The car for sale in Pebble Beach has all the assets to be submitted to a full restoration according to the best current practice and to start a new career at the highest level in the Concours d'Elegance.
This car released from factory in 1961 was in the same collection since 1971. Hidden in a barn since 1975 after the bankruptcy of its owner, it had been retrieved under stacks of magazines that had distorted its hood. Ferraris are vehicles of an exceptional robustness: it had valiantly withstood four decades of neglect in the wet French countryside.
More important : it has never been disassembled. Despite its pitiful look, it has everything to become through a careful restoration the best car in its glorious class. Its short belonging in 1963 to a movie star, widely reported by the media before and after the sale, probably had no impact on its price.
Another wonder of the same model and same year is estimated $ 16M for sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 16, lot 129. Here is the link to the press release.
This car has the same highly desirable original characteristics as the Artcurial specimen : SWB chassis, covered headlights. Its early history is less documented but it also remained untouched, until an engine overhaul in 2014. Moreover, it has never been forgotten by its owners.
The SWB spider is a great achievement by Scaglietti. Its differences with the LWB spider are not spectacular but are extremely important, including a road handling that reaches perfection, a better suspension and luxurious comfort. Cars earlier than the excellence of the SWB can no longer claim the highest prices on the overall Ferrari second hand market.
The car for sale in Pebble Beach has all the assets to be submitted to a full restoration according to the best current practice and to start a new career at the highest level in the Concours d'Elegance.
1961 A California Spider at the Salon de l'Auto
2014 SOLD 15.2 M$ including premium
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is one of the models that are the most often found in the auctions of luxury cars and in my column. Released in 1958, it targeted the market of wealthy Californian customers wishing to have a vehicle usable altogether for city and sport. The body was designed by Pininfarina and executed by Scaglietti.
In 1960, a significant improvement is made on the chassis for both spiders and berlinettas : a shortened wheelbase improving the driving stability when cornering. The SWB supersedes the previous chassis now designated LWB.
Prices go up at auction. The highest price reported up to now for a 250 GT California Spider is $ 11.3 million including premium by Gooding on August 18, 2012 for a 1960 LWB in Competizione configuration.
In the usual configuration, the top price is € 7M including premium on May 18, 2008 by RM Auctions and Sotheby's for the 1961 SWB that had belonged to the actor James Coburn from 1964 until his death in 2002.
Another 1961 SWB is estimated $ 13M, for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 16, lot 18.
This car was exhibited at the Salon de l'Automobile at the Grand Palais in October 1961. It briefly belonged to actress Barbara Hershey. Owned by a suite of careful collectors since 1974, it has been from 1993 one of the most regular stars of the Concours d'Elegance.
This spider has a rare option, the removable hardtop, which allows if needed to use it as a coupe.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was ambitious and the result, $ 15.2 million including premium, confirms the rising of the prices, but this car had been maintained in exceptional condition.
In 1960, a significant improvement is made on the chassis for both spiders and berlinettas : a shortened wheelbase improving the driving stability when cornering. The SWB supersedes the previous chassis now designated LWB.
Prices go up at auction. The highest price reported up to now for a 250 GT California Spider is $ 11.3 million including premium by Gooding on August 18, 2012 for a 1960 LWB in Competizione configuration.
In the usual configuration, the top price is € 7M including premium on May 18, 2008 by RM Auctions and Sotheby's for the 1961 SWB that had belonged to the actor James Coburn from 1964 until his death in 2002.
Another 1961 SWB is estimated $ 13M, for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 16, lot 18.
This car was exhibited at the Salon de l'Automobile at the Grand Palais in October 1961. It briefly belonged to actress Barbara Hershey. Owned by a suite of careful collectors since 1974, it has been from 1993 one of the most regular stars of the Concours d'Elegance.
This spider has a rare option, the removable hardtop, which allows if needed to use it as a coupe.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was ambitious and the result, $ 15.2 million including premium, confirms the rising of the prices, but this car had been maintained in exceptional condition.
1962 LWB and SWB
2012 SOLD 8.6 M$ including premium
I previously wrote about the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider: "Two chassis versions existed: LWB (long wheel base) and SWB (short wheel base). These models often come in the auctions and provide opportunities to keep the odds on the favorite version of the market." My article was dealing with the "Competizione" variant.
Since then, both leaders of California summer sales have introduced a 250 GT California Spider in their last minute entries. One of them is the first unit of the model, the other is one of the latest, and viewing them together provides a nice summary of the evolution of the basic variant.
It is no coincidence. Sales of next week will be the greatest car auction meeting of all time, and the first announcements have attracted further pieces of top quality. Less rare than the 250 GTO, the 250 GT California Spyder is somehow the middle-quantity model which is the most greeted by collectors.
For sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 19, the prototype produced in 1957 and bodied by Scaglietti is of course a LWB, since the SWB was not yet launched. It is estimated $ 6M.
My question hereabove was deliberately naive. Fans prefer the SWB, more visually balanced and more stable especially when cornering.
The SWB for sale by RM Auctions in Monterey on August 18, manufactured in 1962, is fitted with the final improvement, the covered headlights. It is illustrated in the article shared by Classic Driver, and is estimated $ 7.5 M.
POST SALE COMMENTS
1
Here is the first result of this micro market study. RM Auctions sold the 1962 SWB $ 7.8 million excluding fees, just above the lower estimate, corresponding to $ 8.6 million after calculating the premium.
2
The LWB was sold exactly at its lower estimate by Gooding, $ 6.6 million including premium.
Since then, both leaders of California summer sales have introduced a 250 GT California Spider in their last minute entries. One of them is the first unit of the model, the other is one of the latest, and viewing them together provides a nice summary of the evolution of the basic variant.
It is no coincidence. Sales of next week will be the greatest car auction meeting of all time, and the first announcements have attracted further pieces of top quality. Less rare than the 250 GTO, the 250 GT California Spyder is somehow the middle-quantity model which is the most greeted by collectors.
For sale by Gooding in Pebble Beach on August 19, the prototype produced in 1957 and bodied by Scaglietti is of course a LWB, since the SWB was not yet launched. It is estimated $ 6M.
My question hereabove was deliberately naive. Fans prefer the SWB, more visually balanced and more stable especially when cornering.
The SWB for sale by RM Auctions in Monterey on August 18, manufactured in 1962, is fitted with the final improvement, the covered headlights. It is illustrated in the article shared by Classic Driver, and is estimated $ 7.5 M.
POST SALE COMMENTS
1
Here is the first result of this micro market study. RM Auctions sold the 1962 SWB $ 7.8 million excluding fees, just above the lower estimate, corresponding to $ 8.6 million after calculating the premium.
2
The LWB was sold exactly at its lower estimate by Gooding, $ 6.6 million including premium.
