1962 Ferrari 250 GT California Convertible

This Ferrari 250 GT California is a short wheelbase (SWB) variant with the covered-headlight treatment (one of 37 examples with the covered-headlights). The car was completed in February 1962 and wore a unique (to the SWB California Spider) Azzurro Metallizzato (Metallic Blue / Max Meyer paint code, MM 16240) with Naturale (Natural) Connolly Vaumol leather upholstery.

Rather than the usual 40 mm Weber carburetors, this Ferrari has the larger 42 DCL6-model carburetors, along with slightly wider Borrani model RW3690 wire wheels.

It is believed that this Ferrari was on Luigi Chinetti's stand at the New York International Auto Show, held April 21–26 at the New York Coliseum in Manhattan in 1962. After its show debut, 3099 GT was shipped to the West Coast and delivered to John von Neumann's Ferrari Representatives of California, located in the heart of Hollywood. The car remained the Los Angeles area and was eventually acquired by John Lane. By the late 1960s, it had been repainted in a deep burgundy color and retrimmed with black leather upholstery.

The Ferrari was involved in an accident around 1970 in which it slid into a curb, presumably at a high rate of speed, damaging the driver's side front wheel, brake rotor, pedal box, suspension components, and exhaust. The bodywork and chassis, however, were unharmed. Due to the damage and the high cost of repairs, the car was sold to Rudi Klein, the proprietor of Porsche Foreign Auto Wrecking in Carson, California. The wrecked Ferrari was later spotted around 1970 by local Ferrari enthusiasts Charles Betz and Fred Peters. In October 1972, Charles Betz acquired the Ferrari from Rudi Klein for $2,400.

Once in Betz and Peters' ownership, the California Spyder was promptly repaired and remained with them for many years. During the early 2000s, they treated the car to a concours quality restoration. During the process, the car's original Azzurro Metallizzato paint was discovered and carefully matched by Stan Betz. The restoration was completed in 2004 and debuted at the 40th Annual Ferrari Club of America National Concours at Quail Lodge in Carmel. Two years later, it was displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Cavallino Classic in Florida, earning both a Platinum Award and the Judges Cup.

In 2007, the California Spider was inspected by the Ferrari Classiche Department and granted full Ferrari Classiche certification in June 2008.

In 2010, the car earned a First in Class award at the Amelia Island Concours d'Eleganc. In 2020, it was shown at the Cavallino Classic where it received the 250 GT SWB California Cup.

The current owner has owned the Ferrari since 2008.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023