1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider
In the late '50s, Ferrari's business in the North American market was booming. Luigi Chinetti, the North American importer for Ferrari, saw an untapped market opportunity for the Prancing Horse — a high-performance convertible that could be driven to the track, raced, and driven home. This led to the 250 GT California Spider, a no-frills Ferrari with simple bucket seats, a lightweight folding top, and stunning coachwork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. To say that it was a success was an understatement; with class wins at Le Mans, Sebring, and SCCA events, it fulfilled its mission with gusto. The excitement around the 250 GT California has hardly dulled, and this early production model has some of the most desirable features of the model's production run. Fully-documented and restored to a concours level, this California Spider is a must for the discerning collector.
Photos: Mathieu Heurtault / Gooding & Co.