The First Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Could Sell For $18 Million Or More

This coveted Prancing Horse is poised to become one of the most expensive classic cars ever sold.

Brandon Friederich

Jul 8, 2024

(Remi Dargegen ©2024 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

In terms of collectability, the Ferrari 250 series is truly incomparable, which is why this Ferrari 250 California is set to become one of the most expensive classic cars ever sold. It won’t steal the title of “world’s most expensive production car” from this $51.7 million Ferrari 250 GTO, but if bidding reaches the top of RM Sotheby’s $16 million-$18 million pre-auction estimate, it will rank on Hagerty’s list of the top 30 most valuable automobiles ever sold at auction.

While Concours condition and rarity are enough to put any 250 California’s hammer price in eight-figure territory, this one’s valuation is particularly lofty because it’s the first of just 56 examples built between 1960 and 1963 with a short wheelbase (SWB). According to Road and Track, this exact model served as the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider show car at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show.

Originally, 280 horsepower was developed in its competition-spec Tipo 168 3.0-liter V12 engine, which propelled the Prancing Horse to a top speed of 156 mph. It’s only changed hands five times since it left the factory, the last time being 16 years ago. Adding immensely to its desirability is a certification from Ferrari Classiche—the Italian marque’s exclusive heritage cars department has confirmed that it retains its original “numbers-matching” engine, gearbox rear axle and bodywork.

“The Ferrari cars that bear the number ‘250’ in their name represent the perfect combination of elegance, versatility and performance,” Ferrari Classiche head Andrea Modena previously told Maxim. “Ferrari’s philosophy is fully embodied by these cars, which are capable of the highest level of sporting performance but, at the same time, globally renowned as icons of luxury and exclusivity. All these elements contributed to some of these cars reaching the highest market values among classic Ferraris. This series is, for all these reasons, one of the factors that truly helped build the legend of the Maranello marque in its early days.”