1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

Unique in many facets, 1307GT remains perhaps the most eclectic and highly-desirable example of the already illustrious Ferrari 250GT California models. Nose to tail, there are many details that set this example apart, and therefore, perhaps the most iconic.

The 23rd of the 50 LWB California Spiders built by Ferrari, the chassis would be completed in March of 1959 and would be delivered to its first owner, Prince Alvise Hercolani of Bologna, a short time later.

There are California Spiders and then there is this one. To begin with, the car sports open highlights, which was a aesthetic touch that had been employed on many of the spiders that had seen competition in sports car races as the open design offered better visibility.

Then there are the Superamerica-inspired front fender vents. This feature was not something usually employed on the California Spiders but would be a design element employed on this particular example, right along with the inset air intake and a very beguiling hardtop that strikes a remarkable contrast today when fitted atop the dark blue body it now bears.

Compared to other California Spiders, this particular example would not settle for what has to be regarded as extraordinary 'standard' features. This would include the heart beating under the hood as well. Factory-fitted velocity stacks would be installed with triple Weber carburetors to give this car ample amounts of airflow to the 3.0-liter Colombo designed V12 engine. What's more, details, such as the ignition switch, and other controls, would not be situated on the dashboard, as was the usual custom for the California Spiders. Instead, these elements would be repositioned to the transmission tunnel directly below the dashboard.

Hercolani would only own the car for a period of about six months before selling the car to the German racer, Wolfgang Seidel. Seidel would be one of those German racers that would take full advantage of the Formula 2 regulations that controlled Formula One throughout 1952 and 1953. Competing with a Veritas RS, Wolfgang would make his Formula One debut at the Nurburgring in 1953. Throughout the remainder of the 1950s, and into the early 1960s, he would continue to make appearances here and there in Formula One events.

In reality, Seidel would become better known for his presence in sports car races. He would compete in more than a hundred sportscar races throughout his career and those starts would include the Mille Miglia, the Spa 24 Hours, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and, of course, the 1000 Kilometers of the Nurburgring.


Seidel would often compete in Porsches, but 1307GT would also see some track time including races in Germany, Belgium and in other locations.

Right up through 1961 the Ferrari would remain with Seidel. However, he would soon sell the car and it would end up in the hands of William Morgan, an American who happened to live in Wiesbaden, Germany at the time.

Morgan would thoroughly love the car and the freedom and class it afforded its owner. He would often take long trips with his wife, from Germany to Marseille, a trip around Corsica and then a jaunt from Switzerland to Modena, Italy.

Following a couple more years in Europe, Morgan would have the car shipped across the globe to Pleasant Hills, California, and then later, Scottsdale, Arizona where it would soon be found offered for sale.

Ed Niles would be well known as an attorney based in Los Angeles. However, Niles also had a passion for Ferraris and was an astute historian of the marque. In September of 1966, Niles would purchase the California Spider. Almost immediately, he would have the car refinished in a dark red. This would be completed in time for Niles to enjoy the car for about a year before he too decided to sell the car.

After being exchanged between a number of owners over its first decade of life, 1307GT would soon find a steady home with Jim Swartout of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Swartout would purchase the Ferrari in November of 1968 while just 29 years of age and still attending college. Nevertheless, Jim would not purchase the car on a whim, this would be demonstrated by the 30 years in which the car would remain in his care.

Looking to retire from his dental business, Swartout would make the incredible decision to part with his California, and, in 1999, the car would be sold to Jonas Linden of Stocksund, Sweden. Once in his possession, the car would undergo a full restoration completed by Carrozzeria Autosport Bacchelli & Villa situated in Bastiglia, Italy.

In June of 2001, the car would make its first appearance following the restoration efforts. the result would be California Spider that many others just had to own.

Joe Hayes would be the next fortunate owner. He would come to own the car in 2003. Despite the high originality of the car, Hayes would recognize just what he had on his hands. He owned a grand tourer and he would treat it as such using the car to participate in the Texas 1000 and New England 1000 rallies.

Some time following the rallies, the car would be stripped and refinished to the same dark blue body and silver top it sported when Seidel owned the car. Following this return to the striking livery of Seidel's tenure, the car would be shown at the 2005 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. The car would certainly turn many heads and this would lead to, three years later, being shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as part of a special California Spider class.

Hayes had invested more than $100,000 to ensure this California Spider remained one of the best examples of the breed for years to come. Ferrari Classiche certification would inspire the art collector, Adam Lindenmann to purchase the car in 2011, who would then turn around in late 2013 to sell the car to Jean-Claude Biver of Switzerland.

Following another restoration effort by Garage Alberto Donati, 1307GT has been made available for purchase once again. Offered as part of RM Auctions' 2015 Monterey event, listed as one the auction house's entries in its Pinnacle Portfolio, the 1959 Ferrari 250GT California Spider, chassis 1307GT, would sport estimates ranging from between $9,000,000 and $11,000,000, making the car, potentially, one of the most valuable examples of what is considered the pinnacle of Ferrari's genius.

By Jeremy McMullen

The prototype for the 250 GT Spyder California was created by Pinin Farina, but the series was built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. This car (serial number 1307 GT), one of the rare long wheelbase Spyder California's with open headlights, was sold new in April 1959. The switches on the transmission tunnel are unique, as is its unusual hardtop.