1959 Ferrari 250 GT to Be Sold for $14 Million (10 photos)

In early March, a rare Ferrari 250 GT California Spider sports car will be auctioned in Florida. It is one of only eight Competizione roadsters with an aluminum body by Scaglietti, assembled in 1959. The rarity of the model, its rich racing biography and excellent condition after several restorations determine the expected price in the range of 10 to 14 million dollars.





Ferrari developed the California Spider in the second half of the 1950s specifically for the American market. The model was supposed to combine the qualities of a comfortable grand tourer with a full-fledged sports car. Initially, the roadster was produced on a long-wheelbase chassis from the 250 GT, with only 50 cars assembled. Only 10 of them had the Competizione trim level, designed for active racing use, and only eight received an all-aluminum body. The example put up for sale is the second of them. In addition, it was the first of all California Spiders to receive a Type 128 F racing engine, a three-liter V12 with an estimated output of 262 hp.

The assembly of this car was completed just 5 days before the "24 Hours of Le Mans", in which it was supposed to participate. Some shortcomings and the lack of relevant experience on the part of the racer Robert Grossman from the American NART team did not allow the sports car to win, but it still became the bronze medalist of its class. Later, already in the USA, Grossman won several victories in the SCCA national series races on this roadster.

The car has changed owners several times and has been restored several times, and in 2008 it received a Ferrari Classiche certificate for its high degree of originality. Among the regalia of this California Spider are also several victories at prestigious thematic competitions of rare cars.

It is noteworthy that now they expect to get less for the California Spider than seven years ago, although the prices for automobile classics have increased. In 2017, at the RM Sotheby's auction, almost 18 million dollars were paid for the same car.











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