1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider LWB
- Engine
- Type 128 D inside-plug V12
- Colour
- Black (nero) over black leather interior
Chassis 1431 GT is the 28th of 50 long-wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT California Spiders and, notably, the last of the series equipped with an inside-plug V-12 (type 128 D engine). Built on a 2,600 mm wheelbase with a steel body, covered headlamps, Lucas ignition, and drum brakes, the car was completed in August 1959 and exported to the United States through Luigi Chinetti Motors. It has passed through a succession of prominent American Ferrari collectors and, following two restorations, has earned multiple awards at major concours events including Pebble Beach and the Ferrari Club of America national meets.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$7,045,000
- 1959 →Factory deliveryLuigi Chinetti Motorspartial documentation
Vehicle was exported to the US through this importer following factory assembly completion in mid-1959. The identity of the ultimate first retail buyer remains unestablished.
- → 1974Acquisition unknownAvi Brandpartial documentation
Based in Woodbury, New York; owned the car by the early 1970s at the latest.
- 1974 →Acquisition unknownCarl Schulzepartial documentation
Resident of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
- 1994 → 1994Acquisition unknownWilliam Jacobspartial documentation
Well-known Illinois-based Ferrari collector who presented the car at the 1994 Cavallino Classic before moving it on to the Blackhawk Collection.
- 1994 →Private saleBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Don Williams' renowned dealership and collection based in Danville, California.
- → 2005Acquisition unknownDavid Smithfull documentation
Bellevue, Washington collector who commissioned a full restoration to black-over-black livery and showed the car at several national-level concours events, winning multiple awards.
- 2005 → 2007-08-01Private saleJohn Mozartpartial documentation
San Francisco-based collector regarded as a respected figure in the Ferrari community; held the car for roughly two years.
- 2007-08-01 →Private saleConsignorfull documentation
Three-time Pebble Beach Best of Show laureate whose holdings are widely considered among the world's foremost private Ferrari collections; has maintained the car for approximately 19 years.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobert Bodinpartial documentation
Dentist based in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area of Minnesota, known for stewardship of multiple significant Ferraris including a GTO and two Tour de France examples.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAlan Woodallpartial documentation
Georgia-based collector who acquired the car in a partial exchange involving a 250 Testa Rossa; also known to have owned a 212 Vignale Cabriolet and a 250 GTO.
- Date unknownPrivate saleFrank Galloglypartial documentation
Collector from Englewood, New Jersey, who also owned a Ferrari 250 GTO.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDave Frankelpartial documentation
Coral Gables, Florida owner who carried out a cosmetic restoration, refinishing the car in red over a tan interior.
Competition
- 19591959 Sebring 12 Hoursclass victory
A long-wheelbase California Spider took a class win; the prose attributes this to the model generally rather than to chassis 1431 GT specifically.
- 19591959 Le Mans 24 Hours5th overall
A long-wheelbase California Spider finished fifth in the overall standings; attributed to the model, not confirmed as chassis 1431 GT.
- 19941994 Cavallino Classic
Presented by owner William Jacobs; no specific award result recorded in the prose for this appearance.
- 1995-05-01Ferrari Club of America National EventsFCA National Meeting Concours, Columbus
First major concours showing under David Smith's ownership; result not specified.
- 1998-06-01Ferrari Club of America National EventsFerrari Club of America Annual Meet, TorontoPlatinum Award; Luigi Chinetti Memorial Award
Dual award win at the FCA national gathering held in Toronto.
- 1998-08-011998 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Shown during Monterey Car Week under David Smith's ownership.
- 2000Concorso Italiano Vintage Ferrari ConcoursPlatinum Award; Stan Nowak Memorial Award for finest GT Ferrari
Exhibited at Monterey Car Week two years after the Pebble Beach showing; earned two distinct honours.
- 20082008 Cavallino ClassicPlatinum Award
First concours presentation under the consignor's ownership.
- 20092009 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceStrother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car Trophy
Entered in a non-judged commemorative class marking the California Spider's 50th anniversary, yet still singled out for a special elegance prize.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Full restoration carried out by Dave Frankel including a cosmetic repaint in red with a tan interior fitted.
- —Restoration
Second comprehensive restoration undertaken during David Smith's ownership, resulting in the current black paint over black leather interior finish.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.