05 January, 2015
The Ferrari 250 GT Spider regularly crops up among lists of the best ever cars but what is it that makes it so special?
As a rare model prepares to go under the hammer for more than £6 million we take a look.
The Ferrari Spider - a £6.4m motor?
A 1959-built Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider supercar is due to come up for auction in the US later this month. Estimates suggest it will go for as much as £6.4m.
For the last 45 years this Jack Castor car has been in the sole ownership of a caring keeper who has kept it in mint condition. The eclectic iconic Castor collection is packed with beautiful old models covered by classic car insurance.
Earlier this year a model made a year earlier fetched 8.8 million dollars (£5.6 million), so expectations are high.
Celebrity owners
The Ferrari 250 GT Spider has been the supercar of choice for celebrities, petrolheads and wealthy playboys alike. Here we look at 2 famous owners:
Chris Evans became the proud owner of a Ferrari 250 GT California Spider in 2008, paying a then-world-record-estimated £5.6 million for the privilege. The DJ and Ferrari connoisseur - he owned 10 at one time in 2010 - sold it to realise his ambition to own another daddy among Ferraris: the 250 GTO.
James Coburn originally owned Evans’ supercar. He imported it then re-painted it several different colours, including silver, black and reportedly burgundy. The late Great Escape and Magnificent Seven tough-guy actor loved his old, fast cars, especially Ferraris. His stable also included a Daytona, 412P and a 308. It was in the blood. His father owned a garage business.
What do the experts make of the Spider?
- Top Gear calls it the most easily-recognised Ferrari on the planet and possibly among the Maranello stable’s most attractive designs
