With a handful of the world’s most renowned classic sports platforms already under its belt, Ferrari was ambitious enough to aim for North America’s endowed consumer base in 1957. The Italian outfit hoped to target young, money-savvy drivers who were looking to take part in the company’s automotive culture, and in that same year, it released the fabled 250 GT California Spider.
The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider that you see before you is annotated as no. 1055 in the company’s open-air endeavor, the 11th platform built, and the second to be implemented alongside the manufacturer’s improved Tipo 508D chassis. Under the vehicle’s slimline hood, a 128D V-12 engine, three Weber downdraft carburetors, and a single rear-mounted Marelli distributor serve to complement the car’s rapid acceleration, while a steel and aluminum construction, completed by Modena’s Scaglietti branch, and coveted headlamp treatment, set the Spider apart from alternative models. On the interior, a Nardi steering wheel, Veglia instruments, and tasteful beige leather upholstery demarcate the 250 GT’s illustrious lineage. In 2018, the vehicle was handed off to Motion Products Inc., where it underwent an extensive show-quality repaint in the period-correct color of Grigio Vinovo, and was reupholstered in premium brown leather, helping it to claim top honors in both the Cavallino Classic and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Now, the vehicle is slated for auction via Gooding & Co. for an estimated $11,000,000.
