1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider SWB
- Engine
- Short-block V12
- Colour
- Dark blue ('Blu Scuro') over rosso leather, with silver hardtop
Chassis 2955 GT is the 26th of 56 short-wheelbase Ferrari 250 GT California Spiders produced, completed in September 1961 and delivered to the German importer Auto Becker, which exhibited it at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show as a factory show car. A matching-numbers example certified by Ferrari Classiche with a 'Red Book', the car passed through notable American ownership — including more than three decades with character actor Ken Mars — before undergoing two major restorations in Europe. It appeared at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance following a comprehensive rebuild by the Italian workshop of Dino Cognolato.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €16,655,000 (≈ $18.32M)
- 1961-09-01 → 1961-10-01Factory deliveryAuto Beckerfull documentation
Düsseldorf-based German Ferrari importer that took delivery from the factory and immediately displayed the car at the Frankfurt IAA show before passing it to its first private buyer.
- 1961-10-01 → 1965Private saleAndré Budi-Medawarpartial documentation
Lebanese enthusiast who kept the car in Rome, where it received servicing at a local garage and periodic technical inspections at the Ferrari works.
- 1965 → 1965Private saleLuigi Chinetti Motorspartial documentation
US-based Ferrari importer that received the car after it was exported from Italy and subsequently sold it to a private buyer in Illinois.
- 1965 → 1965Private saleCharles Hamill Jrpartial documentation
Illinois-based owner who returned the car to Chinetti Motors shortly after purchase, apparently unconvinced by its driving character.
- 1965 → 1969Private saleBernard Staymanpartial documentation
Ohio-based owner who entered the car in a national concours event in 1966 and retained it for roughly three years before selling via referral.
- 1969 → 2000Private saleKen Marspartial documentation
California-based character actor who held the car for over thirty years and had the bodywork repainted in red during his long tenure.
- 2000 → 2000Private saleRick Cole and Marty Yacoobianpartial documentation
Automotive brokers who acquired the car from Ken Mars and quickly resold it to a well-known auctioneer.
- 2000 → 2000-03-01Private saleCraig Jacksonpartial documentation
Auctioneer who held the car briefly before selling it to a European collector in early 2000.
- 2000-03-01 → 2019-07-01Private saleFrankfurt-based collector and wheel company co-founderfull documentation
German entrepreneur who imported the car to the UK, commissioned a full restoration by Italian coachwork specialists including Carrozzeria Autosport and Bacchelli & Villa, and obtained Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification in 2018.
- 2019-07-01 →Private saleInternational businessman and European motorcar collectorfull documentation
Current consigning owner who immediately commissioned a second comprehensive restoration by Dino Cognolato's workshop in Vigonza, completed in 2022, including full mechanical overhaul and new colour scheme.
Competition
- 1961-10-011961 Frankfurt IAA Motor ShowFactory show car display
The 40th annual IAA; the car was presented on the Auto Becker stand shortly after assembly, establishing its status as an official Ferrari period show car.
- 1966-05-011966 FCA National ConcoursBest Convertible
Event held in Indianapolis, Indiana; owner Bernard Stayman entered the car and received the top award in the convertible category.
- 20222022 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The car was exhibited following completion of its second restoration, viewed as a notable endorsement of its quality and significance.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1961ServiceGarage Vincenzo Malagò & Co
Routine servicing and periodic technical inspections carried out in Rome during the first private owner's tenure, including work at Garage Vincenzo Malagò & Co and visits to the Ferrari factory.
Factory inspections also referenced; timeframe spans from late 1961 through approximately 1963.
- 2000RestorationCarrozzeria Autosport; Bacchelli & Villa
Comprehensive restoration undertaken by Italian specialists after the car was brought to the United Kingdom; coachwork refinished in blue over a tan leather interior.
Commissioned by the Frankfurt-based German collector following his acquisition of the car in March 2000.
- 2018InspectionFerrari Classiche
Formal submission to Ferrari Classiche for assessment and certification; the resulting 'Red Book' confirmed matching-numbers status for engine, gearbox, rear axle, and coachwork.
- 2019RestorationDino Cognolato
Second full restoration encompassing a complete mechanical overhaul and a fresh exterior finish in dark blue with a rosso leather interior; a silver hardtop was also added.
Workshop located in Vigonza, Italy; restoration completed in 2022 and the car subsequently displayed approximately 2,447 kilometres.
- —Bodywork
Exterior repainted from the original white to Rosso during the lengthy California ownership of Ken Mars.
Carried out at some point during a 30-plus-year ownership period ending in January 2000; precise date not recorded.
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.