Ferrari – 250 GT Spyder California (1961)

When Ferrari presented its new 250 model series seventy years ago in 1953, nobody had the slightest inkling of the impact this automobile would have on the development of the marque and indeed on the entirety of automobile history. The 250 Series gave Ferrari a sporty, economic basis to establish a rock-solid foundation stone for the success of the marque. Some of the great Ferrari icons originate from this model series, and the 250 GT California Spyder undoubtedly ranks among them. This example from the second series, which Ferrari provided with a shorter wheelbase and four disc brakes, is one of just 55 cars built. It also happens to be an iconic heritage item. Its first owner was none other than the French writer Françoise Sagan, who had celebrated a legendary success with her first work Bonjour tristesse in 1954. “Whisky, gambling and Ferraris are better than housework”, was a famous bon mot promulgated by Sagan, who liked living the good life and loved fast automobiles above all else. Today, the car’s chronicle lists more than a dozen owners and shows that its first restoration took place in 1987, followed by a thorough second restoration with a renowned specialist restorer in Northern Italy in 2002.