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Ordering a competition Ferrari in the 60s must have been an exciting prospect. In some cases clients simply got whichever potent car was next to come of the assembly line. It’s doubtful any racing team would prefer to race a convertible, none-the-less many were prepared for international competition and some even saw action at LeMans.

The idea for the California Spyder came from U.S. distributors Jon von Neumann and Luigi Chinetti who convinced Ferrari to create a performance convertible named after their best market. The California Spyder emerged with supercar performance and became highly desirable due to its limited availability.

Since the 250 California was initially based off the successful Tour de France race car, it was somewhat easy to prepare the chassis for its return to the circuits. In this case, Ferrari kept the same sexy shape of the California Spyder, but made the body out of light-gauge aluminum instead of steel. Furthermore Ferrari upgraded the engine specification and fitted a large fuel tank with quick-release filler on the trunk.

Naturally, Luigi Chinetti had a desire to take his own design and go racing. This promoted the Ferrari name in America and increased the success of the model. One of the first Spyders, chassis 1085GT, was prepared by Chinetti’s NART to enter Sebring in 1959. Driven by Richie Ginther and Howard Hively, it finished ninth overall and first place in the GT9 class.

At first, engine modifications included higher lift racing camshafts and Weber 40DCL/3 carburetors fed by velocity stacks. This engine, known as 128F and produced 262 horsepower at 7,300. Most of the cars featured this engine, or a similar version with outside spark plugs known as the Tipo 168. Only one car, chassis 2015GT featured the 168B engine with high compression cylinder heads and larger valves which could produce 280 bhp @ 7000 rpm.

After Ferrari produced nine LWB models on the Tipo 508 D frame from the Tour de France, the model was changed to reflect the SWB model specification. Three more models were made on the Tipo 539 chassis with covered headlights.

One of these later cars, chassis 2015GT, was prepared for the 1960 LeMans and was built to the ultimate specification with the competition Tipo 168B engine. It was entered by NART, but it died in eleventh place overall with Sturgis and Schlesser at the wheel.

With just 12 California Spyder Competitiziones produced, they are probably the most desirable Ferrari behind the coveted 250 GTO. They have the seduction of a road-ready spyder and the performance of a Le Mans contender.

Chassis & Sales

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Spyder California Competizione - sold for $4,950,000 RM Auctions is honored to present the ex-Bob Grossman, 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Spyder California Alloy Competizione, chassis no. 1451 GT. It is offered on behalf of its private owner who acquired the car over 26 years ago and is one of only seven original alloy-bodied examples built. Bob Grossman piloted 1451 GT to 5th overall while finishing first in class at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. It remains one of the most important and desirable ope... more
Gallery: 2007 Monterey Preview

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione 1603GT - sold for $7,260,000 a Ferrari Classiche Certification was issued for 1603 GT, confirming it as a genuine, matching-numbers car and a highly authentic example throughout. After nearly 40 years of racing, the Ferrari still retains its original grille, the vast majority of its original alloy and even small details such as the position marker light on the passenger door originally fitted for Sebring. Later that year, the current owner entrusted Dennison International... more
Gallery: 2010 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction

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