RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to announce early highlights for this year’s highly anticipated Monterey Car Week auction. Headlining the offerings is the very first Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider ever produced and the 1960 Geneva Motor Show car. Joining this remarkable car are two other legendary Ferraris: a 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet and a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider.
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The First California Spider: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, chassis 1795 GT
Not very often do you come across a car that checks all the boxes of what makes an automobile exceptionally collectible like this California Spider does. As an icon amongst icons, it holds a unique place in Ferrari history as the very first 250 GT SWB California Spider ever built and holds remarkable provenance as Ferrari’s factory show car at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show.
Its current owner has cherished and maintained it for the past 16 years and developed a close friendship with Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher and through this friendship, his passion for driving and Ferrari as a brand deepened. Not only for contemporary models, but also for the best examples of classic Ferraris. This very enthusiasm naturally led him to one of Maranello’s finest outputs, the California Spider—the ultimate form of open-top driving from Ferrari’s golden era.
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti stands as one of the most important and finest examples of its kind in existence. Equipped with a competition-spec engine, competition-style covered headlights, and a factory removable hardtop, enhancing both its aesthetic and performance attributes, chassis 1795 GT is presented in its striking original delivery colors and has been meticulously preserved to maintain its timeless appeal. Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified, the car is confirmed to retain its original ‘numbers matching’ engine, gearbox, rear axle, and bodywork, underscoring its authenticity and historical integrity. With only five owners from new and three long-term custodians over the past 60 years, its provenance places this example among the very best of all California Spiders (Estimate $16,000,000 – $18,000,000 USD).
“We’re always aiming to bring to market the highest quality examples when we prepare for our flagship Monterey auction, and this year is no different. Chassis 1795 GT is beyond special among an already legendary model, the California Spider; this is the very first California Spider ever produced, a true icon of automotive history,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions. “The California Spider is one of the rare models that transcends generations; with a timeless beauty that appeals to both young and old, and a driving experience that evokes a lasting impression on all of the body’s senses, this is a rare opportunity to acquire the very best. Stay tuned as we announce other exciting cars and collections for our Monterey lineup.”
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina
The third of seven short-wheelbase Superamerica Cabriolets, this Classiche-certified 400 Superamerica, chassis 1945 SA, has been fully restored in its stunning original colors to concours standards by US-based Ferrari specialists Classic Coach and Greg Jones and well maintained by Autofficina Omega in its current ownership. Formerly part of the Oscar Davis Collection, it has been seldom shown since its most recent restoration, presenting an exciting concours opportunity for potential bidders. Ferrari’s 400 Superamerica models of the late 1950s and early 1960s were truly the pinnacle of sporting excellence, offering unmatched driving performance and luxury, making them highly sought after by heads of state, barons of industry, and other discerning enthusiasts (Estimate $6,000,000 – $7,000,000 USD).
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti
This LWB California Spider, chassis no. 1217 GT, is the 19th of only 50 long-wheelbase examples. It was famously used in the 1967 Italian film “Le Dolci Signore,” known internationally as “Anyone Can Play,” and was once owned by the renowned Swiss racing driver Jo Siffert. It retains its matching-numbers engine and is presented in its original factory-appointed color combination of Nero over Rosso. Offered from 19 years of meticulous care under its current ownership, this car continues to benefit from a 1990s restoration by Phil Reilly & Company. It stands as a handsome and faithfully preserved example of Ferrari’s most celebrated spider (Estimate $5,550,000 – $6,500,000 USD).
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