The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder is widely known as one of the most magnificent cars ever made. When it comes to classic cars, it doesn't get much better than this. Ferrari worked their magic under the hood with the beautifully refined V12 Colombo engine. At the time, this same engine was being used in other Ferrari 250s on the track, lending a sense of racing heritage to the 250 GT California Spyder.
Ferrari only built a handful of 250 GT SWB California Spyders, making them not only one of the most desirable sports cars ever, but one of the rarest. As a result, they are worth an absolute fortune. Values are closing in on the $20 million mark, and it won't be long before that milestone is surpassed. It's quite the price to pay, but for that, you receive a truly iconic piece of automotive history.
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder Is A Super Rare Motoring Icon
There are rare cars, and then there's the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. To say that these are thin on the ground is the understatement of the century. Ferrari produced just 106 California Spyders, only 56 of which were short wheelbase models. Cutting it down ever further, a scant 37 of them were the covered-headlamp versions - the most desired of all. Given how even manufacturers such as Ferrari produce huge numbers of cars these days, it's difficult to grasp quite how rare the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder is.
The 'California' moniker is a clue to the birth story of this car. John von Neumann, Ferrari's main representative on the West Coast at the time, surmised that a drop-top variant of the 250 GT Berlinetta would be very well-suited to the Californian weather. Considering the marque's popularity in the United States, Ferrari proceeded to take his advice and the rest is history.
In The 1960s Ferrari's Styling Was Unmatched, And The 250 GT California Is Perhaps The Most Stunning
Ferrari gave Sergio Scaglietti, their master designer, the green light to create the masterpiece that is the California Spyder. He initially constructed long wheelbase models, from 1958 to 1960, and then came the SWB. Most examples were steel with aluminum doors and hoods, but nine units had entirely aluminum bodies. Either way, the result was fantastic.
There are virtually no cars that come close to the sheer beauty and sophistication of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. Perhaps the only true contender is the Jaguar E-Type. Whether in open or closed headlamp form, the California Spyder is a feast for the eyes. Its low slung body, short windshield and wire-spoke wheels are emblematic of the stylish '60s. Ferrari understood that style is nothing without substance, and equipped their new sports car with a very suitable engine.
A Race-Bred V12 Sits Under The Hood Of The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder
At the heart of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder sits a thoroughbred race engine. The 3.0-liter V12 Colombo engine had featured in Ferrari 250 series race cars for a few years before they planted it under the hood of their road cars. With almost 240 hp on tap and revving all the way to 7000 rpm, the California Spyder was capable of an astounding top speed of 156 mph. With this performance and its devastatingly pretty exterior, it's simple to see why the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder was such a success.
Ferrari revised the chassis of the 250 GT Berlinetta, with a view to providing the car with sharper handling, and they carried this over to the GT California. The short wheelbase variants had a 2400 mm chassis which also decreased the height of the 250 GT SWB California by 30 mm, compared to its LWB sibling. Though they are similar, there are several small differences separating the SWB from the LWB model. On the SWB, the air intake on the hood is slightly less pronounced. Looking at the vents on the front wings, there are two vertical strips on the SWB, where there are three on the LWB model. Little details are what make cars like these so special, and it's worth knowing which is which, especially considering how much they cost!
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder Is One Of The Most Expensive Cars Money Can Buy
Buying a Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder is an unbelievably costly undertaking. For reference, you could buy six Bugatti Chirons for the price of one of these! Legendary actor James Coburn owned one, and that same car eventually ended up in the hands of Chris Evans, formerly of Top Gear. They have featured in several movies, perhaps most notably in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
At this level, it's irrelevant to ask whether it's worth the money or not. That is simply the price you have to pay to be the custodian of one of these wonderful machines. To purchase one is to own a genuine piece of Ferrari's history and, regardless of the replicas, nothing in the world comes close.