During the total restoration of two original SWB Covered headlight 250 GT California spiders over the last two years we have explored why, in our opinion, these are the best convertible Ferraris ever.
Mmmmm …. Pretty sure it’s a car, I saw him driving it on a road. I’m also pretty sure it’s a piece of beautiful, timelessly elegant aesthetic design. So in conclusion, it’s both. It’s automotive art.
this or the berlinetta would be a dream to have, but not as a trophie, this work of art was made to rule the streets. ive talked to a guy at the last local carmeet, he owns and daily drives a 275gtb. hes comment on how it feels to use them like this was "its like beeing a gentle man from back in the day, it gives me this noble, joyfull feel, i had when ive driven with my dad on sundays, as a child"
This is my favourite car in the world and has been since I was 4/5 and I love it so much I even have the chassis numbers of my favourite Californias, I will tho that these things are so special that even being near one is something else a je ne sais quoi about them. I’ve been lucky enough to see two real ones in my lifetime both were immaculate and they were driven. What a dream.
You got to remember some of the 1950s convertible sports cars that rivaled the Ferrari 250 GT California. The Chevrolet Corvette, the Austin-Healey, and the BMW 507.
A garbage container with its top off, is as much a rival to the California, as those things you mentioned. There was only one worthy rival; the E-Type.
I understand that this car is a work of art, but unlike a Picasso or a Van Gogh this is an object that was meant to be used and enjoyed. The downside of collector cars becoming 8-figure investments is that they will spend the rest of their days in climate controlled private showrooms. Back in 1971 you could get one of these for $5,000 USD and I’m sure at that time people were getting the most out of them too.
This car was probably well known in car enthusiasts circles, but the world knew of its existence after Ferris Buellers Day Off came out and probably a large percentage of this views on this video are still from that. I like how no credit given to this cars popularity is because of this. 🤦🏻
Not doubting these guys do amazing work but on a car that is about 20 million wouldn't you want to have Ferrari classic do the restoration, especially since it adds to the value if they do it.
I think if I could have any one car ever built, it would be this one. A 61, year of my birth. But for now, I’ll get into my low budget 92 348........and pretend
5:31 Thank you. For the time you ceased your babel and over-track, and allowed the sound of the vehicle we're all watching this video to hear, to finally be heard, for a proper 2 seconds. Kind. Far, too kind.
Did Ferrari spend 500 hours prepping the cars for paint? It's unfortunate that they aren't restored to"as they were in the day" but ever increasingly improved to a standard well beyond the original cars,this history is lost and fantasy created
Haha. Your comment reminds me of when I bought my first Ferrari. An old Italian guy was looking at it and talking to me about it, then as he walked away he said to me “you know not to refer to it as a car, it’s a Ferrari”.
My 2 wishes... A Time Machine... to buy this car in 1961 and store it Correctly.. all fluids taken out.. tires off.. remove the engine... 2nd wish... To walk on another planet... Especially a planet with a nitrogen.. oxygen combo..
Once this is done to this classic, it is no longer original. Huge diff between orig. and off the chassis full resto. By same token u could just have craftsman build u a full on replica that is identical, including fake vin. All the tiny imperfections is what made the California special.
Apparently, a majority of those commenting haven't endured the headaches of owning an unreliable European antique. I have owned a couple and finally came to my senses last year and bought a model S plaid. No more headaches, only smiles! Good day.
No, it isn't. Looks good, sucks to drive. These were the last cars from Ferrari's "we don't care about the road cars" era. Then Jaguar came out with the E-type, Porsche came out with the 911, and Lamborghini came out with the 350. Now suddenly Ferrari had to actually care about how their road cars drove, and things changed very, very quickly. Now the 275 N.A.R.T. Spider- that's your best convertible ever.
E type is ugly in comparison with it it's wheels mounted so far in-board, they never sat out far enough looks like pizza cutters and it's overly long nose. You can't compare it to such a thoroughbred as the Ferrari with 250 origins.
Crappy 4-speed gearbox, only 250-280 HP, cramped interiour, 14 inch wheels. It's all marketing bullshit. This car doesn't hold a candle to a 275 NART Spider, which is better in every single aspect.
The best looking ever ? YES ! The all time best ? NO ! Thats the Mazda MX5 . Affordable AND the same wind in your hair at 80 miles an hour . And .......ohhhhh.......extremely reliable ! 😊
