A rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is expected to sell for upwards of $17 million when it is auctioned by Gooding & Company at Amelia Island on March 11.
From 1957 to 1963, Ferrari created a total of 106 250 GT California Spiders and this particular example, chassis 2871 GT, is particularly special as it is one of just 37 SWB variants built with the desirable covered headlights.
Painted in China Red, it was purchased new by designer Gianfranco Frattini who owned it until June 1978. It was then sold to an Italian collector before being passed on to the current owner in December 1985.
Chassis 2871 GT is also noteworthy as unlike many others, it hasn’t undergone a comprehensive restoration and remains in factory condition thanks to meticulous maintenance throughout the decades. Auctioneers believe that it could fetch as much as $17 million.
That’s less than half the $37.5 million the 1975 335 Sport Scaglietti sold for a few days ago, breaking the record for a classic Ferrari, thus, depending on a collector’s point of view, it could be a worthwhile investment – or not…
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