The 250 GT California Spyder is one of Ferrari's most celebrated (and valuable) models, most often remembered by the general public for its starring role in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This year marked the Spyder's 50th anniversary, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance celebrated the occasion by giving the car its very own class. Six variations of the car were produced, all of which were displayed on the 18th fairway including the original prototype and a competition version that raced at both Sebring and Le Mans.
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is one of the most valuable classic Ferraris, as evidenced by the recent sale of one at auction for a record $10.8 million. To celebrate the Cal Spyder's 50th anniversary, the Pebble Beach Concours will have six different versions of the roadster on display on the 18th green this August. Most notably will be an aluminum-bodied competition version that raced at both Le Mans and Sebring. We will be bringing you live coverage from the Concours this year, and we'll be sure to take plenty of photographs. To whet your appetite, we've created a gallery of California Spyders that have been in the Concours over the past few years.
This past weekend a new record was set for the highest amount paid for a car at a vintage auction by a 1961 Ferrari California Spyder selling for $10,894,900 after auction fees. The sale was at RM Auction's second annual "Ferrari Leggenda e Passione" auction in Maranello, Italy, and the obviously wealthy buyer was popular British radio host Chris Evans.
While we aren't experts on the classic car market, we can't help but think this sale was the result of a "gotta have it" mentality by Evans with no regard for the actual value of the vehicle. The initial estimate from RM Auctions was nearly half the sale price, and the fact that the car was previously owned by actor James Coburn seems somewhat inconsequential. While there's no doubt that Evans snagged an incredibly beautiful vintage Ferrari, we think he could have got his hands on a California Spyder for much less.
