Ferrari 250 GT 'California' Spyder SWB (1961)

Ferrari introduced the 250 GT California Spider in 1957 on their long-wheelbase (LWB) chassis for the booming North American market. Ferrari’s leading US dealers, Luigi Chinetti and John von Neumann, requested from the factory a dual-purpose sports car that was highly capable on the racetrack, but comfortable for use as a daily driver. In 1960, with the introduction of Ferrari’s new short-wheelbase (SWB) 250 GT Berlinetta chassis, Ferrari thoroughly redesigned the California Spider. The new 250 GT SWB California Spider benefitted from a much more sophisticated chassis, along with standard four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, a refined suspension setup and new outside-plug engines.

The renowned Italian coachbuilder, Scaglietti, redesigned the California Spider’s coachwork around the updated chassis, resulting in a much more aggressive and sporting appearance. Despite being a more refined and well-rounded sports car, the SWB California Spiders were true thoroughbreds, with several examples raced at events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio. Between 1960 and 1963, Ferrari built just 56 examples of the SWB variant, with only 37 being highly sought after covered-headlight versions.

This example was ordered new by a founding member and lead singer of the Kingston Trio, Nick Reynolds through Charlie Charles Rezzaghi in San Francisco in 1961. The Kingston Trio captured international attention during the late 1950s and early 1960s and would provide inspiration for countless groups including The Beach Boys.

The California set him back $9,500, a figure he later recalled paying in cash and he took delivery in 1962 in its original ‘Ferrari Red’(Rosso Cina) over ‘tan’ (Beige VM 3218). With a busy convert schedule, he was only available to drive the car sparingly around San Francisco and Sausalito. Reynolds did recount one trip to Los Angeles and back though. The 31st of just 56 units built, this example is one of just 14 SWB Californias originally supplied with hard tops from factory.

Reynolds kept the car until 1964 when he traded it back to Rezzaghi. He moved into a grey 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso he had seen being built the previous year whilst in Italy visiting Enzo Ferrari at the factory.

Rezzaghi sold the car to Robert ‘Bob’ Solomon, who would owned the car for a couple of years. Solomon would later buy the car back in 1979, keeping it until 1982. Harley Cluxton III acquired the car and carried out a series of mechanical works, including a rebuild of the engine before selling the California to a prominent collector in the UK.

The car was registered on UK registration ’23 VT’ and entered into the 1990 Ferrari Owners Club National Concours where it placed 2nd in class. The car was then repainted and re-upholstered by David Clarke’s Graypaul Motors in Nero over Crema and entered into the Coys International Historic Festival at Silverstone in 1992.

The car then returned to the USA; Firstly care of New Jersey-based property developer Robert Kerekes and then later, to Lance Hill, who would own the car from 1999 through to 2007.

The car was brought back to the UK in 2007 and a comprehensive restoration was carried out by marque specialists GTO Engineering. During the restoration, the car was inspected by both Mark Shannon and notable Ferrari historian Marcel Massini on several occasions to ensure the accuracy of the works. The car was completed in light blue metallic over dark blue leather and was shown by the owner during the 60th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance (2010) where it won the People’s Choice Award. In the very same year, the car notable earned its Ferrari 'Red Book' Classiche Certification.

Two years later the car was shown at the wonderful Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. The car most recently changed hands in 2020 joining an increasingly prominent global collection of the Ferrari marque. At the time of purchase, the car was repainted Nero over Rosso hide by Carrozzeria Zanasi in Maranello; a colourscheme the car retains to this day.

This stunning Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder was supplied to its most recent owner through DK Engineering after undergoing a major service in late 2022.

• 1 of 14 with a Factory Hard Top
• 1 of 37 in the most sought after combination of Covered Headlight and SWB
• The 31st of just 56 units built
• Comprehensive restoration in 2007
• Ferrari 'Red Book' Classiche Certification
• Nero over Rosso hide
• Ordered new by Nick Reynolds, lead singer of the Kingston Trio in 1961
• Shown at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2012
• Shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance in 2010