1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider (competizione specification)
- Engine
- Outside-plug Tipo 128F with high-lift cams, triple 40 DCL6 carburetors, ~262.5 bhp at 7,300 rpm
- Colour
- Metallic silver (Le Mans livery; previously refinished in 'Rosso Corsa' red)
Chassis 1451 GT is a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider built to full competition specification, the second of only eight aluminium-bodied examples of its type. Delivered with an outside-plug Tipo 128F engine, high-lift camshafts, and triple carburettors producing 262.5 bhp, it was entered by Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team at the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours, where Bob Grossman and Fernand Tavano finished 5th overall. After an active SCCA and Nassau Speed Week career, the car passed through several American collectors before Jon Masterson commissioned a full restoration in the early 1980s, winning class honours at Pebble Beach in 1983. A subsequent restoration in 2011 returned the car to its original Le Mans livery, and Ferrari Classiche certification confirms the continued presence of its original drivetrain.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$17,990,000
- 1959 → 1960Factory deliveryBob Grossmanfull documentation
Prominent New York sports car dealer who received the car barely finished days before Le Mans; after racing it through 1960, he sold it on.
- 1960 →Acquisition unknownMaryland or Florida owner(s)none documentation
The car passed through one or more owners in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States before reaching Sutterfield; specific identities and dates are not recorded.
- → 1975Private saleGerry Sutterfieldpartial documentation
Described as a noted collector based in Palm Beach Gardens; held the car until approximately 1975.
- 1975 →Private saleSidney V. Stoldtpartial documentation
Ridgewood, New Jersey owner who acquired the car from Sutterfield around 1975.
- → 1981Acquisition unknownPaul Pappalardopartial documentation
Held the car briefly before selling it in 1981.
- 1981 → 2007Private saleJon Mastersonfull documentation
Long Beach, California collector who commissioned a full restoration completed in August 1983, refinishing the car in red over beige while preserving its competition features; campaigned it extensively at concours and vintage events over roughly 25 years.
- 2007 →Private saleCurrent ownerfull documentation
Purchased from Masterson; obtained Ferrari Classiche certification in 2008 and commissioned a second full restoration completed in 2011, returning the car to its original Le Mans livery.
Competition
- 19591959 Le Mans 24 HoursDriver: Bob Grossman5th overall, 3rd in class
Co-driven by Fernand Tavano; Grossman's debut at the circuit, and the car was delivered barely finished just days before the race.
- 1959SCCAThompson SCCA eventDriver: Bob Grossman
One of several regional SCCA events Grossman contested with the car after its return from Le Mans.
- 1959SCCABridgehampton SCCA eventDriver: Bob Grossman
- 1959Watkins Glen Grand PrixDriver: Bob Grossman
- 1959Nassau Speed WeekNassau Speed Week — Memorial Trophy RaceDriver: Bob Grossman1st overall
Car was shipped to Nassau for Speed Week; the Memorial Trophy was its standout result there.
- 1960Marlboro raceDriver: Bob Grossman1st in class
Achieved a class win on two separate visits to Marlboro during the 1960 season.
- 1960Roosevelt raceDriver: Bob Grossman1st in class
- 1960Virginia International Raceway eventDriver: Bob Grossman1st overall
- 19831983 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in class
First show appearance after Masterson's restoration; judges recognised the car's significance.
- 19901990 Colorado Grand
- 19901990 Bagatelle Concours
Shown in Paris; among the car's travels outside the United States during Masterson's ownership.
- 19941994 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Second appearance at Pebble Beach under Masterson's ownership.
- 20082008 Cavallino Classic
First appearance under current owner's stewardship, shortly after purchase from Masterson.
- 20092009 Ferrari Club of America National Meet
- 20092009 Copperstate Rally
- 20092009 Masterpiece Concours — 5th Annual
Held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- 20102010 Cavallino Classic Historic Races at Moroso
Attendance here prompted the owner's decision to commission a second full restoration.
- 20112011 Cavallino ClassicPlatinum award
First public showing after the 2011 restoration returned the car to its original Le Mans livery.
- —Monterey Historics
Competed on four separate occasions during Masterson's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1959BodyworkFerrari factory
Following Le Mans, the car was returned to the factory to receive a proper metallic silver paint finish over what had been a rough primer coat at the time of the race.
The original race finish had been described as only a superficial coat of paint over primer, with the interior also unfinished.
- 1983Restoration
Complete restoration commissioned by Masterson, refinishing the car in Rosso Corsa over a beige interior while retaining all original competition-specification mechanical components.
Restoration completed in August 1983; the car debuted at Pebble Beach shortly afterwards.
- 2008InspectionFerrari Classiche
Ferrari Classiche certification awarded, confirming the continued presence of the original chassis, engine (in its competition configuration), gearbox, and a correct-type rear differential.
- 2011RestorationMotion Products Inc.
Full restoration returning the car to its original Le Mans racing livery and period-correct appearance, completed in 2011.
Commissioned by the current owner following the 2010 Cavallino Classic; the car was shown publicly in its new livery at the 2011 Cavallino Classic.
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