Photo: RM Sotheby's/Stephan Bauer
No matter how you look at it, all Ferraris are special. What varies is the degree of special-ness each of them is bestowed with, and that greatly depends on a variety of factors.
It's probably impossible for us to find these days a more special Ferrari than the one we have here. Not only is it rare in more aspects than one, but it's also the only Prancing Horse of its kind to have taken part in what was one the oldest sports car racing events.
It's the Targa Florio I'm talking about, a public road endurance race that was first held in 1906, which kept going until 1977. The 92-mile (148 km) event unfolded on the streets of Sicily, and as you can imagine, it was packed full of Italian-made cars: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia.
Even if Ferraris were not uncommon vistas on the local Italian roads during the race, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider was. In fact, according to Cavallino magazine, only one of them was ever included in the event. That's right, the one we have here.
Part of a series of Ferraris that was made in very limited numbers (just 106 of them) over a period of six years, this particular model has a few other things going for it as it tries to get collectors to drool all over it.
Made in 1960, halfway through its family's lifetime, the car is the second one of just 56 short-wheelbase 250 GT California Spiders to have been made. It then is one of only 18 to have rolled out Ferrari's doors with uncovered headlamps, and one of three not to feature side vents.
More importantly, it one of two to feature the TIpo 128 F engine, while the rest of the bunch got the Tipo 168.
We're talking about this incredible Ferrari because it just popped up for sale during an auction company RM Sotheby's will be holding in Monterey in August.
The Ferrari comes under the hammer in restored form, with significant work on it completed back in 2016. Those attending events such as the Cavallino Classic or Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance might know a thing or two about it, as it's been shown there from time to time.
The car is now pretty much the same as it was when it raced the Targa Florio in 1962, when it won the third place in its class and the nineteenth position overall. It even has the removable roll bars and racing numbers.
Certified by Ferrari Classiche, the 250 GT SWB California Spider is expected to make quite a splash in Monterey. The auction house is optimistic it will be able to get at least $9.5 million for it, and hopeful even a $11.5 million sum could be reached. We'll have to wait and see...
It's the Targa Florio I'm talking about, a public road endurance race that was first held in 1906, which kept going until 1977. The 92-mile (148 km) event unfolded on the streets of Sicily, and as you can imagine, it was packed full of Italian-made cars: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia.
Even if Ferraris were not uncommon vistas on the local Italian roads during the race, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider was. In fact, according to Cavallino magazine, only one of them was ever included in the event. That's right, the one we have here.
Part of a series of Ferraris that was made in very limited numbers (just 106 of them) over a period of six years, this particular model has a few other things going for it as it tries to get collectors to drool all over it.
Made in 1960, halfway through its family's lifetime, the car is the second one of just 56 short-wheelbase 250 GT California Spiders to have been made. It then is one of only 18 to have rolled out Ferrari's doors with uncovered headlamps, and one of three not to feature side vents.
More importantly, it one of two to feature the TIpo 128 F engine, while the rest of the bunch got the Tipo 168.
We're talking about this incredible Ferrari because it just popped up for sale during an auction company RM Sotheby's will be holding in Monterey in August.
The Ferrari comes under the hammer in restored form, with significant work on it completed back in 2016. Those attending events such as the Cavallino Classic or Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance might know a thing or two about it, as it's been shown there from time to time.
The car is now pretty much the same as it was when it raced the Targa Florio in 1962, when it won the third place in its class and the nineteenth position overall. It even has the removable roll bars and racing numbers.
Certified by Ferrari Classiche, the 250 GT SWB California Spider is expected to make quite a splash in Monterey. The auction house is optimistic it will be able to get at least $9.5 million for it, and hopeful even a $11.5 million sum could be reached. We'll have to wait and see...
Google News