A Californian Dream
Growing wealth and mild climate turned California into some kind of a dream land for the Americans. Johnny von Neumann, the official Ferrari dealer in California, realized that the rich, jet-setting people needed a very special toy – a car that was completely different from what the Americans were used to. His wish came true when Enzo created the ground-breaking Spyder.
The California Spyder was introduced at the end of the 1950s, and it immediately became the new benchmark of all open roadsters. This was attributable to the contributions of a brilliant duo: Sergio Pininfarina ascoachbuilder and Sergio Scaglietti as sheet artist who was no less of a virtuoso. The “Cal-Spyder” started off with a long wheelbase of 2,600 mm in 1958. 1960 saw Ferrari release the short wheelbase version (SWB), with a wheelbase of only 2,400 mm. This new version was essentially constructed in the same way as the 250 GT/SWB, which had debuted in 1959. Its famous 12-cylinder V-Engine was capable of generating a maximum output of 280 hp. Street-worthy vehicles were built with a steel body. In contrast, the cars for racing were built with a lightweight aluminum body and equipped with a larger fueltank as well as a filler neck that allowed for quick release.
The Ferrari “Cal-Spyder” soon became the symbol of truly “dual-purpose” cars. In other words, it was capable of handling both public roads and race tracks adeptly. Its status as a successful race car was also brought to an almost “mythical” level by the low quantities of its production that made it one of the most rare, valuable Ferraris, and by the extraordinary beauty and high quality that it boasted.
A total of 105 California Spyders were produced between 1958 and 1963. About 50 of them were of the LWB version, whereas some 55 were SWB. They have appeared in several movies. CMC chose to replicate a road version of the SWB California Spyder, which is distinctive for its flushmounted headlights and extra bumpers guards. As a special feature, our limited-edition versions, which are to be finished in blue, silver, and black respectively, will be equipped with a removable hard top. Since this feature was rarely offered by Ferrari, the hard-top version tends to be a rarity.
M-091 Ferrari 250 California SWB (red), 1961 M-092 Ferrari 250 California SWB (blue), 1961 Lim. Ed. 2500 pc. (Hard top) M-093 Ferrari 250 California SWB (silver), 1961 Lim. Ed. 2500 pc. (Hard top) M-094 Ferrari 250 California SWB (black), 1961 Lim. Ed. 2500 pc. (Hard top)
Technical data of the original vehicle
• 12-cylinder V-engine with two overhead camshafts • Bore x stroke: 73 x 58.8 mm • Displacement: 2,953 ccm • Maximum output: up to 290 hp at 7,000 / rpm • Top speed: Up to 270 km/h • Aluminium two-door coupé body (curb weight 1,022 kg) • Wheel base: 2,400 mm • Total length: 4,150 mm
