There are a lot of classic cars out there, driven by the moneyed few who can afford their purchase and maintenance. There are a lot of them though that are lying, dying, in old garages or even car junkyards, just waiting for the right person with the appropriate knowledge of cars that will find them and restore them back to their old glory.
For some, especially enthusiasts, these are often bought from friends or from people that their friends know. Some are even sold in auctions that make news all over the world. Just like with the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. The 1961 version of this Ferrari sports car was auctioned at an astonishingly high amount of $10.8 million, which frankly is very much on the price range of 0.001% humans in this planet. This piece of work was owned by former Magnificent Seven Star James Coburn for 25 years. The lanky, silver haired actor shares the ownership of the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder along with industry legends like Brigitte Bardot, Barbara Hershey, and Roger Vadim. The one James Coburn bought was then passed on to the hands of British Radio Dj Chris Evans.
The early versions of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder sports car were produced in 1960 and ended in 1963. 54 Spyders were built during the three year period, with 3.0 litre and 128F type engines that delivered 280bhp at 7.00 rpm for the earlier models.
This model was very much used by other legends like Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, often for leisure racing with friends. Its appearance in modern media is very much popular, especially when a replica was used in the 1986 John Hughes film Ferris Buellers Day Off, which starred the husband of Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick.
This vintage, original model is still the way to go for avid classic car enthusiasts, even if Ferrari has already gone into producing other 250 GT models. With body work designed by Italian automotive company Pininfarina and built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, it ranks high upon any red-blooded and blue-blooded car collectors tastes. One of the models even lives in the renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren’s car collection. So if you see a Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder out on the road, whether you are waiting for a cab in JFK or strolling around London’s West End, you are assured that you have come face-to-face with a car legend, no matter how many of these versions still exist around the world.
