Ferrari’s enduring legacy owes much to the sixties. In the first half of the decade, the Scuderia racked up two Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championships, two Constructors’ titles, and six consecutive Le Mans wins. But it was the necessity to sell cars to fund the racing that did most to build Ferrari’s reputation, and from the 250 GT California Spider to the 365 GTB/S Daytona Spider, the company produced some of the world’s most celebrated front-engined, open-topped grand tourers. To mark what was arguably the golden era for Ferrari, we’ve chosen seven incredible Prancing Horses that are set to cross the block in Monterey from 15-17 August.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti requires no introduction. Originally drawn up out of demand from the United States, the California Spider was first produced in long-wheelbase form before a sportier short-wheelbase version was introduced, complete with four-wheel disc brakes, a wider track, and the latest version of the sonorous short-block V-12. Causing a sensation throughout the jet-set, the California Spider was warmly embraced by the great and good, including icons such as Brigitte Bardot, James Coburn, Johnny Hallyday, and the Aga Khan.
The 250 GT SWB California Spider didn’t just look striking—it also possessed incredible levels of performance, with some early cars taking class wins at Sebring in 1959, in addition to one example finishing 5th overall at Le Mans just a few months later. This particular car was the very first of those much-improved SWB California Spiders and the exact model that Ferrari chose to show to the world at the 1960 Geneva International Motor Show. This example also boasts a series of desirable options, including coming equipped from the factory with a competition-specification engine, covered headlights, and factory removable hardtop.
All California Spiders are special, but this example is uniquely placed as one of the most exceptional of them all. Presented in its striking original delivery colors, this 1960 car has never been publicly offered for sale. It will cross the block on Saturday.
Lot 346
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti
MONTEREY 2024
$17,055,000 USD | Sold
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina
While it is hard to follow on from a 250 California Spider, this 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina is a more than worthy supporting act. Even more so when the car in question is presented in its magnificent, one-off, factory original shade of Verde Bottiglia over Rosso.
Though not a household name, even among Ferrari aficionados, the 400 Superamerica is a mesmerizing machine combining the subtle elegance of Pinin Farina styling with a truly special drivetrain. This is one of a scarcely believable seven cabriolet examples built, and features a powerful “long block” Lampredi-designed V-12 powerplant fed by triple Weber carburetors, giving this beauty a remarkable 340 horsepower along with a prodigious amount of torque. This made it arguably one of the best-performing open Ferraris of the 1960s. This example has been fully restored to concours standards by US-based Ferrari specialists and is presented with its Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification. Rarely shown to the public since its restoration, it presents an unmissable opportunity to acquire one of the rarest of Enzo Ferrari’s creations.
Lot 232
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina
MONTEREY 2024
Sold After Auction
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti
You wait your entire life for the perfect 250 California Spider and two come along at once—albeit this time in long-wheelbase configuration. This 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti provides the perfect alternative to its short-wheelbase counterpart. The 250 GT models came to define peak engineering and style, with this example being no exception. Presented in the timeless factory-original colors of Nero over Rosso, this example is offered from 19 years of fastidious care under current ownership. Formerly a cornerstone of some of the world’s foremost collections, this California Spider is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti
Continuing the lineage of special front-engined Ferrari masterpieces, few models are as graceful, well-balanced, or perfectly proportioned as the 275. This 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy by Scaglietti is as elegant as they come, benefitting from the pretty “long-nose” front end, and is just the second of a mere 10 that left the factory with alloy coachwork, six carburetors, and a torque-tube driveshaft—among the most desirable options available on the two-cam 275.
Presented in the stunning combination of Blu Scuro over Rossa, this 275 GTB is a multiple award winner, having picked up a Platinum Award, the Coppa Bella Macchina Award, and a Coppa GT Award at the 50th Annual FCA International Meet and Concours d’Elegance at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin in 2013—adding to an already burgeoning trophy cabinet that included a class win at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
1969 Ferrari 365 GTS by Pininfarina
The sixties were undeniably a golden era for Ferrari, producing some of the most celebrated front-engined grand tourers of the period and cementing Maranello’s reputation for luxury and performance. For many, that time was bookended by what is widely regarded as the manufacturer’s ultimate classic touring spider.
While looking at first glance like a 330 GTS, the 365 GTS was a different animal altogether, benefitting from a considerably more powerful variant of its sibling’s 4.0-litre Colombo V-12. Engineers increased the mill’s displacement to nearly 4.4 liters—the biggest single overhead-cam engine fitted to a Ferrari road car. With 320 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on tap, the Tipo 245/C engine endowed the 365 GTS with class-leading levels of performance.
This example benefits from extensive remedial works in 2024 and boasts a matching-numbers engine and transaxle. Now offered for the first time in nearly 30 years, it offers the chance to acquire a rare and special example of one of Maranello’s most celebrated spiders.
1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder by Pininfarina
The California Spider name became the stuff of legend following the 106 short and long-wheelbase examples of the early 1960s, rightly lauded for their combination of blistering race-derived performance and a level of luxury rarely seen in such sporting machines. At the Geneva Salon in 1966, Ferrari reprised the famous name for a stunning Pininfarina-designed open tourer built in the same mold: the 365 California Spyder.
Based on the 330 GT 2+2 chassis yet equipped with the powerful 4.4-liter Colombo V-12 from the 365 GTS, the new model was clothed in stunning coachwork by Ferrari’s long-time partner, Pininfarina. The end result was inspired by the 500 Superfast, with an attractive front end, sweeping lines, and a modern Kamm tail. Only 14 were built, making it one of the rarest roadgoing open-topped Ferraris to ever leave Maranello.
Boasting Ferrari Classiche Certification with full matching-numbers engine, gearbox, rear axle, and bodywork, and a full restoration by high-regarded specialist Paul Russell & Co. to the original color combination of Rosso Cina over Bianca Molitan, this is a top example of one of Ferrari’s halo models. Add to this a Platinum Award at the Cavallino Classic Concours d’Elegance in 2009 and the package is complete.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti
It’s impossible to talk about the golden era of Ferrari grand tourers without making mention of the car that moved the game on and carried Ferrari into the next decade: the Daytona Spider. Penned by Leonardo Fioravanti, the Daytona was a step-change from the outgoing 275, moving away from the organic styling of the sixties and towards the more angular designs of a new age. Considerably more muscular and with a wider track, the Daytona set the stall for supercars to come—but was forever tied to its front-engined forebears until the arrival of the 550 Maranello in 1996.
The Daytona was hugely popular and significantly outsold its mid-engined rival from Lamborghini, but today the most sought-after variant is the open-topped 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, of which only 121 were made. This example is finished in its original color scheme of Rosso Chiaro over Nero and is notable for never having been fully restored. Chassis 14557 is offered from the estate of the sole owner and benefits from a truly remarkable 53 years of fastidious care. If there’s one Daytona Spider to have, it’s this one.
