The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is often hailed as one of the most iconic open-top models in automotive history. Among the limited 100 examples produced between 1957 and 1963, a rare 1959 long-wheelbase (LWB) Competizione variant, chassis No. 1451, is set to command attention at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Amelia Island sale on March 8.
“This is the crown jewel of open Ferraris and possibly the most desirable road-going convertible in the world today,” says Barney Ruprecht, senior specialist at Broad Arrow. Its exclusivity is underscored by being the second of only eight aluminum-bodied California Spiders ever made, and its history is equally legendary—it competed in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third in class and fifth overall.
Built just days before its Le Mans debut, the car was fielded by Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T) and driven by its owner, first-time Le Mans competitor Robert “Bob” Grossman. In its unfinished state, with primer-covered silver paint and seats padded with rags, the car nevertheless demonstrated Ferrari’s engineering prowess. Powered by a 3.0-liter Tipo 128 F Colombo V-12 engine, the Competizione spec featured high-lift camshafts, triple Weber carburetors, and 262 hp, giving it both speed and endurance.
After Le Mans, the car returned to Ferrari for a metallic silver finish and a bright-blue cloth interior. It later achieved significant racing success, including victories at the Nassau Speed Week and Vanderbilt Cup Races, before transitioning into a storied concours career. Its dual-purpose pedigree includes first-in-class at the 1983 Pebble Beach Concours and extensive participation in prestigious rallies like the Copperstate 1000.
Restored to its Le Mans configuration in 2009, this California Spider embodies Ferrari’s heritage of performance and elegance. Expected to fetch up to $14 million, it remains a masterpiece of both motorsport and craftsmanship.