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Le Mans-Racing Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Heading To Auction Block

Back when Ferrari was interested in winning races, not zero to 60 times, the watchful eye and all-inclusive directorship of Enzo resulted in race cars for the road. The 250 Series embodies this concept best, but did you know Ferrari took the 250 GT LWB California racing? You bet the Prancing Horse did!
Ferrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GT 21 photos
Photo: RM Sotheby's
Ferrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GTFerrari 250 GT LWB California chassis number 1451 GT
The Ferrari 250 models we most often associate with motorsport are the GTO, Testa Rossa, and LM. The California, on the other hand, was the convertible of choice for the rich and famous of the era. A-listers such as French actor Alan Deloin, for example. It’s hard to blame them, though, for the California is one of the best-looking roadsters of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

In keeping with its name, the California was designed for export to North America. First came the LWB in 1957, then the SWB followed in 1959. When it comes to attractiveness, however, the long-wheelbase model wins the beauty pageant hand down due to its fan-bleeding-tastic proportions.

So what got into Ferrari to campaign chassis number 1451 GT at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans? Luigi Chinetti is the man behind it all, using his status as founder of N.A.R.T. (North American Racing Team) to field three cars at the endurance classic. And guess what? Against all odds, the 250 GT LWB California crossed the line fifth overall and third in its class.

The competitiveness of the car comes from a multitude of factos, chief among which is the Competizione specification. The second of eight aluminum-bodied California Spider models built, 1451 GT bores the Tipo 128F outside-plug engine. The free-breathing 3.0-liter V12 develops 262.5 brake horsepower at a screaming 7,300 rpm thanks to three 40 DCL6 carburetors and high-lift camshafts, fed from a competition-spec gas tank.

Certified by Ferrari Classiche and eligible to enter concours and vintage racing events, it’s easy to understand why RM Sotheby’s estimates 1451 GT to be worth at least $14,000,000, $17 million tops. If you’re passionate about old-school Ferrari cars and have money in the bag, you can bid on the jaw-dropping 250 GT LWB California Spider on December 6 at the New York – ICONS auction.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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