In 1957, Ferrari wanted to produce a sportier open-top car for its customers who were looking for more performance. They were producing the 250 GT California Spyder. Scaglietti was selected to design and build the all-new body for these performance Spyders. The formula was to use the 3.0L V-12 engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission and place it in a lightweight chassis shod with a simple but elegant body with a retractable top. The result was the long-wheelbase (LWB) California Spyder, which was introduced in 1957 and built through 1960 with a total of 45 cars.
In 1960, the California Spyder was revised into the short-wheelbase (SWB) model and received seemingly minor changes that made the car perfect in drivability as well as appearance. A V-12 with a more serviceable outside-plug configuration was introduced and produced 276 HP, while 15-inch Borrani wire wheels with all-new Pirelli radial tires and power-assisted disc brakes helped improve drivability as well as comfort. The dash was changed to relocate the tachometer and speedometer directly in front of the driver, with secondary gauges relocated to the center of the dash. With 276 HP in a 2,200-pound car, the 250 GT California Spyder was exactly what Ferrari had intended for its customers. These cars were expensive at $12,000, but the lucky few who purchased one of these wonderful cars were rewarded with miles of spirited and memorable driving.
In 1986, the California Spyder was the star with no lines in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” A replica California Spyder was used by Ferris, his friend Cameron, and his girlfriend, Sloane, to enjoy a day off from school in Chicago. The car was treated as an untouchable jewel by Cameron’s dad and ultimately rolled off the cliff to its death. Ferris summed it up with this quote: “It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”
The last 250 GT SWB California Spyder built by Ferrari, this example (S/N 4137GT) was completed at the factory on February 9, 1963. This Rosso Cina (China Red), covered-headlight, short-wheelbase California Spyder was imported into the United States in March 1963 by Luigi Chinetti Motors of New York and shipped to official U.S. West Coast Ferrari distributor Charles Rezzaghi Motors in San Francisco.
The original owner was Andre Aldeghi of Minnesota, who kept the car until 1972. Colin Bach of Atherton, California, owned 4137GT for a short time prior to selling the car to Jerry Fiorito of Juanita, Washington. During Fiorito’s ownership, the car was featured on page 31 of George M. Carrick’s book “The Spyder California” and also exhibited at several concours events.
Fiorito owned the SWB California Spyder for more than 25 years before it changed hands via Ferrari broker Mark Ketcham to Bill Foss of Sausalito, California, in 1999. Foss commissioned a restoration by highly respected Ferrari specialist Patrick Ottis of Berkeley, California, that was completed in 2001.
S/N 4137GT was sold to Bill Grimsley of Sausalito, California, in 2002 and stayed in the San Francisco area when sold to former president and CEO of Yahoo, Tim Koogle, in 2005. Robert Harris of Logan, Utah, traded Koogle two Ferraris for 4137GT in 2007. The following year, Harris sold 4137GT to Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors NBA basketball team. In 2010, the car was sold to a private collector in California prior to its acquisition by the Rare Wheels Collection of Windemere, Florida, in 2013.
Ferrari North America requested to display this car when it introduced the all-new California T in 2014. This car, the last 250 GT SWB California Spyder, accompanied the new California T at Miami Beach and Pebble Beach for the Ferrari launch events.
On October 12, 2014, the car was invited to be part of Ferrari North America’s 60th Anniversary on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. A display representing the top 60 Ferraris of all time took over Rodeo Drive as Ferrari celebrated 60 years of Ferrari sales in America. Enzo Ferrari’s son, Pierro Ferrari, rode in 4137GT during the Chairman’s Parade at this event.
As part of the Rare Wheels Collection, this Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder has received the highest awards at each of the following events: the 2014 Cavallino Classic, 2014 Festival of Speed Orlando, 2015 Hilton Head Concours, 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, 2016 Celebration Concours, 2017 Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Daytona Speedway, 2016/2017 Casa Ferrari Display at Pebble Beach, 2022 Cavallino Classic Ferrari 75th Anniversary and the 2023 Hilton Head Concours.
This vehicle will be featured at the Mecum Auctions event in Kissimmee, Florida, known as The World’s Largest Collector Car Auction®. The auction will showcase more than 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items. The event is scheduled to take place from January 2 to 14, 2024. To explore more cars and participate in onsite, telephone, or online bidding, visit https://www.mecum.com/auctions/kissimmee-2024/.
