Chassis No. 11943

The genesis of the remarkable 250 GT California Spider took place in the last days of 1957, when Ferrari's prominent West Coast importer John von Neumann recognized an unfulfilled niche in the American market. He envisioned a dual-purpose, open Ferrari targeted at affluent enthusiasts who craved a thoroughbred sports car that could turn heads on Hollywood Boulevard and clinch victories at the new Laguna Seca circuit with equal aplomb. This concept found a powerful ally in Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari's official New York-based importer, whose support would prove instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. Enzo Ferrari embraced the concept, resulting in a masterpiece of design and engineering with coachwork penned by the legendary Sergio Scaglietti. Built on the chassis of the formidable “Tour de France” Berlinetta, the California Spider married the raw performance of a competition car with the allure of top-down motoring.

At its heart beat the same 3.0-liter Colombo V12 engine that powered its Berlinetta sibling, endowing the California Spider with the performance credentials to match its purposeful shape. This potent combination didn't go unnoticed in endurance racing circles. The model quickly proved its capabilities on the track, securing a class victory at Sebring in 1959 in the hands of Richie Ginther and Howard Hively, and an impressive 5th overall finish at Le Mans in the same year for Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team (NART), driven by Bob Grossman and Fernand Tavano.

Following the production of 50 long-wheelbase examples, Maranello unveiled a second incarnation: the short-wheelbase California Spider, built upon a more compact 2,400-mm chassis. This new iteration brought several performance enhancements, including a wider track for improved handling, Koni adjustable telescopic shock absorbers, and four-wheel disc brakes replacing the earlier drum brakes. Later LWB and early SWB models also received spark plugs positioned on the outside of the head, with later SWBs also gaining twin coil and distributor ignition systems and larger carburetors. During a three-year production run that concluded in 1963, Ferrari crafted a mere 56 examples of the SWB California Spider, bringing the total production to just 106 cars. This rarity, combined with its unequaled blend of beauty and engineering, has elevated the California Spider to the status of an automotive Holy Grail, standing as one of the most coveted and valuable Ferraris ever to emerge from the gates of Maranello.

Expectedly, every example extant belongs to a private collection and would no doubt command a princely sum should it come up for sale. That is why the Ferrari experts at GTO Engineering – world renowned for their work maintaining, restoring, and race-preparing classic Ferraris – initiated their “Revival” program. Founded in 1983 by Mark Lyon, the firm grew from its U.K. origins to become the world's largest classic Ferrari specialist, expanding into parts manufacturing and establishing international operations in Twyford, U.K., Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, California, and Maranello, Italy. Comprised of a team whose professional lives have been dedicated to preserving classic Ferraris, GTO Engineering is uniquely positioned to offer meticulously crafted, faithful recreations of Ferrari's milestone models, including the iconic 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, 250 Testa Rossa, and 250 GT California Spider.

At the core of GTO Engineering's philosophy is a commitment to creating vehicles that are meant to be driven and savored on the open road. Their process begins with the acquisition of a period-correct Ferrari, typically a 330 or 365 model. In the case of chassis number 11943, a 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 serves as the foundation for a complete reimagining of the legendary California Spider. The aluminum bodywork is meticulously hand-formed, with GTO Engineering employing a refined rolling technique that allows for a fantastic level of precision. GTO Engineering's artisans also craft all-new components in-house, from the exquisitely detailed switchgear to the sumptuous seats, and of course, the engine.

Each powerplant represents a staggering 300 man-hours of labor, resulting in a mechanical masterpiece that can be specified in 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0-liter displacements. Chassis 11943 is powered by the top-level 4.0-liter version of Ferrari's Colombo V12, producing approximately 350 horsepower. Tastefully refined with modern comforts, the car has also been outfitted with a five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth connectivity. Other welcome improvements include a high-pressure mechanical fuel pump, lighter and more heat-efficient aluminum brake calipers, lightweight aluminum ribbed transmission center section, and a quicker 17:1 steering ratio. The car is finished in a wonderful deep Nero Daytona finish nicely offset by a Rosso Vaumol leather interior. The cabin of the California Spider is an ensemble of period-correct details, meticulously recreated to transport the driver back to the by-gone age of Italian motoring. Dominating the dashboard is a magnificent wood-rimmed steering wheel, surrounded by jewel-like gauges and an array of unlabeled flip switches that control essential functions such as wipers, lights, and the fuel pump.

In testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail that defines each Revival car, GTO Engineering currently finds itself in the enviable position of having to pause new orders. With each vehicle demanding a staggering 1,500 hours of skilled labor over an 18-month period, GTO Engineering is fully committed to their existing backlog of commissions for the foreseeable future. It is against this backdrop of overwhelming demand that chassis number 11943 emerges as an exceptionally rare opportunity for the discerning collector.

This particular California Spider Revival represents far more than a mere homage to Ferrari's golden era; it is a masterful combination of the marque's most celebrated attributes. By marrying a period-correct chassis with breathtaking, hand-formed California Spider coachwork, GTO Engineering has created a vehicle that transcends the sum of its parts. The result is nothing short of automotive alchemy – a harmonious blend of form and function that would undoubtedly serve as the crown jewel of any Ferrari collection. For the passionate enthusiast, this Revival offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the pinnacle of 1960s sports car design and engineering, reimagined for the modern era.

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