Take A Peek At The Privileges Of Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider 1960 Which Will Be Auctioned More Than IDR 260 Billion

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider 1960. (Doc. RM Sotheby's)

JAKARTA - RM Sotheby's will auction off one unit of Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider from 1960, at the Monterey Car Week 2024 on August 15-17.

RM Sotheby's estimates that the auction price for the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider 1960 will reach 16 million US dollars-18 million US dollars. If converted, the value is equivalent to Rp260.3 billion-Rp293 billion. This price reflects scarcity, long history and privilege, as well as extraordinary car conditions.

Not Just California Spider

Reporting from information on the auction house, July 9, SWB California Spider is recorded to be mostly owned by Hollywood celebrities to jetsets such as actor James Coburn, Peter Helm, Alain Delon, Brigitte Bardot, Roger Vadim to Aga Khan. This car is arguably an open sports car with the best performance in its era, just like McLaren F1 in the modern era.

The Ferrari 250 GT itself made a brilliant history in the early 1950s. The LWB 'Tour de France' model and 250 TR were a huge success in the sports car racing event. But Ferrari was never satisfied. They are encouraged to create even better cars, especially at the request of John von Neumann, a Ferrari importer in California.

Von Neumann wants a true sports car that can be driven onto the race track, digeber there. This idea is supported by Luigi Chinetti, the official Ferrari importer, and the birth of California Spider. The car has an open body designed and made by designer maestro Sergio Scaglietti, using a Tour de France berlinetta chassis. California Spider reaped achievements in the GT racing arena, winning its class at Sebring 1959 and finishing 5th at Le Mans a few months later.

After 50 units of California Spider LWB were produced, Ferrari presented a final evolution: version of SWB (Short Wheelbase). SWB offers increased performance over its predecessor, including a wider track, adjustable Koni absorber shock, disc brakes on all four wheels, and the latest version of the V12 short-block engine. With all these refinements, SWB California Spider is not only fast but also fun to drive.

Having a chassis number of 1795 GT is the first unit of 56 SWB California Spider ever produced. This car is equipped with the most coveted features of its time, such as:

Not only that, the layout of this car's dashboard is believed to be unique. Initially Grigio colored with red leather interior, this car was exhibited by Ferrari at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1960. After that, the car was returned to Maranello and given a black interior before being sent to its first owner, John Gordon Bennett, a British racer who was then living in Geneva.

Currently, the 1795 GTs that are auctioned are stunning with their original delivery colors. This car has a Ferrari Classic Red Book Certification, which means the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain are still genuine.

With all its features, the 1795 GT is not only one of the most significant Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spiders, but also the best and most important ever.