Chassis No. 11943
The genesis of the remarkable 250 GT California Spider took place
in the last days of 1957, when Ferrari's prominent West Coast
importer John von Neumann recognized an unfulfilled niche in the
American market. He envisioned a dual-purpose, open Ferrari
targeted at affluent enthusiasts who craved a thoroughbred sports
car that could turn heads on Hollywood Boulevard and clinch
victories at the new Laguna Seca circuit with equal aplomb. This
concept found a powerful ally in Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari's official
New York-based importer, whose support would prove instrumental in
bringing the project to fruition. Enzo Ferrari embraced the
concept, resulting in a masterpiece of design and engineering with
coachwork penned by the legendary Sergio Scaglietti. Built on the
chassis of the formidable "Tour de France" Berlinetta, the
California Spider married the raw performance of a competition car
with the allure of top-down motoring.
At its heart beat the same 3.0-liter Colombo V12 engine that
powered its Berlinetta sibling, endowing the California Spider with
the performance credentials to match its purposeful shape. This
potent combination didn't go unnoticed in endurance racing circles.
The model quickly proved its capabilities on the track, securing a
class victory at Sebring in 1959 in the hands of Richie Ginther and
Howard Hively, and an impressive 5th overall finish at Le Mans in
the same year for Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team
(NART), driven by Bob Grossman and Fernand Tavano.
Following the production of 50 long-wheelbase examples, Maranello
unveiled a second incarnation: the short-wheelbase California
Spider, built upon a more compact 2,400-mm chassis. This new
iteration brought several performance enhancements, including a
wider track for improved handling, Koni adjustable telescopic shock
absorbers, and four-wheel disc brakes replacing the earlier drum
brakes. Later LWB and early SWB models also received spark plugs
positioned on the outside of the head, with later SWBs also gaining
twin coil and distributor ignition systems and larger carburetors.
During a three-year production run that concluded in 1963, Ferrari
crafted a mere 56 examples of the SWB California Spider, bringing
the total production to just 106 cars. This rarity, combined with
its unequaled blend of beauty and engineering, has elevated the
California Spider to the status of an automotive Holy Grail,
standing as one of the most coveted and valuable Ferraris ever to
emerge from the gates of Maranello.
Expectedly, every example extant belongs to a private collection
and would no doubt command a princely sum should it come up for
sale. That is why the Ferrari experts at GTO Engineering - world
renowned for their work maintaining, restoring, and race-preparing
classic Ferraris - initiated their "Revival" program. Founded in
1983 by Mark Lyon, the firm grew from its U.K. origins to become
the world's largest classic Ferrari specialist, expanding into
parts manufacturing and establishing international operations in
Twyford, U.K., Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, California, and
Maranello, Italy. Comprised of a team whose professional lives have
been dedicated to preserving classic Ferraris, GTO Engineering is
uniquely positioned to offer meticulously crafted, faithful
recreations of Ferrari's milestone models, including the iconic 250
GT SWB Berlinetta, 250 Testa Rossa, and 250 GT California
Spider.
At the core of GTO Engineering's philosophy is a commitment to
creating vehicles that are meant to be driven and savored on the
open road. Their process begins with the acquisition of a
period-correct Ferrari, typically a 330 or 365 model. In the case
of chassis number 11943, a 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 serves as the
foundation for a complete reimagining of the legendary California
Spider. The aluminum bodywork is meticulously hand-formed, with GTO
Engineering employing a refined rolling technique that allows for a
fantastic level of precision. GTO Engineering's artisans also craft
all-new components in-house, from the exquisitely detailed
switchgear to the sumptuous seats, and of course, the engine.
Each powerplant represents a staggering 300 man-hours of labor,
resulting in a mechanical masterpiece that can be specified in 3.0,
3.5, or 4.0-liter displacements. Chassis 11943 is powered by the
top-level 4.0-liter version of Ferrari's Colombo V12, producing
approximately 350 horsepower. Tastefully refined with modern
comforts, the car has also been outfitted with a five-speed manual
transmission, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth
connectivity. Other welcome improvements include a high-pressure
mechanical fuel pump, lighter and more heat-efficient aluminum
brake calipers, lightweight aluminum ribbed transmission center
section, and a quicker 17:1 steering ratio. The car is finished in
a wonderful deep Nero Daytona finish nicely offset by a Rosso
Vaumol leather interior. The cabin of the California Spider is an
ensemble of period-correct details, meticulously recreated to
transport the driver back to the by-gone age of Italian motoring.
Dominating the dashboard is a magnificent wood-rimmed steering
wheel, surrounded by jewel-like gauges and an array of unlabeled
flip switches that control essential functions such as wipers,
lights, and the fuel pump.
In testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship and painstaking
attention to detail that defines each Revival car, GTO Engineering
currently finds itself in the enviable position of having to pause
new orders. With each vehicle demanding a staggering 1,500 hours of
skilled labor over an 18-month period, GTO Engineering is fully
committed to their existing backlog of commissions for the
foreseeable future. It is against this backdrop of overwhelming
demand that chassis number 11943 emerges as an exceptionally rare
opportunity for the discerning collector.
This particular California Spider Revival represents far more than
a mere homage to Ferrari's golden era; it is a masterful
combination of the marque's most celebrated attributes. By marrying
a period-correct chassis with breathtaking, hand-formed California
Spider coachwork, GTO Engineering has created a vehicle that
transcends the sum of its parts. The result is nothing short of
automotive alchemy - a harmonious blend of form and function that
would undoubtedly serve as the crown jewel of any Ferrari
collection. For the passionate enthusiast, this Revival offers an
unparalleled opportunity to experience the pinnacle of 1960s sports
car design and engineering, reimagined for the modern era.
Internet bidding is not available for this lot. Please contact
[email protected] for more information.
