Pennies from Evans
Posted by Jason Barlow at 12:50PM on Monday 19 May, 2008 6 Comments
So the Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans has just forked out £5.5 million for a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. Obviously what the world and its mother wants to know right now is: how can a car, any car, possibly be worth that amount of dough?
Well, the market currently rates the late 50s/ early 60s 250 GT family of Ferraris very highly indeed. They were made in very limited numbers, surprisingly driveable, and those-in-the-know - the ones with mountainous piles of cash anyway - are rather keen to get their hands on them. So 250 GTs, SWBs, GTOs and California Spyders have joined esteemed former racing cars and early Testarossas in the ranks of the super-revered Ferrari.
Only 49 California Spyders were ever made, at the behest of Ferrari's West Coast importer John von Neumann; he wanted something harder and sportier to keep his racy Hollywood clientele happy.
The company's East Coast man, Luigi Chinetti, had a good relationship with the rather prickly Enzo Ferrari, and persuaded the old man it would be a worthwhile exercise. Enzo, who was famously chippy about selling road cars and never wasted an opportunity to raise a few quid to finance his beloved racing operation, was happy to oblige.
Scaglietti crafted the California Spyder's bodywork, using the 250 Tour de France model as the starting point. The chassis was a simple tubular steel affair, and the engine - a glorious 3.0-litre V12 designed by the legendary Giocchino Colombo - had been around for a bit too. There was nothing especially fancy about the interior either.
Yet the California Spyder has somehow ascended to God-like status among Ferrari fans. Chris Evans's acquisition of a black, short wheelbase version only burnishes the mystique further. His new purchase was owned for many years by Hollywood hard man James Coburn, giving it the sort of starry provenance that would appeal to Radio 2's drive-time host.
As to whether it's worth it or not, well, elsewhere in the RM/Sotheby's auction at Maranello last Sunday was a long wheelbase 250 GT Cali Spyder, a red one. It made about £2m, and I drove it a few weeks ago. Like so many others, I first knew this as the car totalled in 80s Brat Pack classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off (actually a rebodied MG in the film, but nevermind), and have lusted after it ever since. I've never been so nervous about driving anything in my life. Not least because I feared it would feel like a bit of a truck.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Fifty this year, the Cali Spyder could actually teach modern supercars a thing or two. It's light and responsive, for a start, making full use of its 240bhp. You can actually feel what the front wheels are up to, a reminder that even really good modern steering set-ups are ultimately still artificial.
It sounds utterly incredible too, as you'd imagine for a triple carb-fed V12. Even the brakes, drums all round, are just about up to the job. And here's the rub: this same car was sold in 1998 for about £350,000, and has just gone for almost 10 times that. I'm no expert but that sounds like a good investment to me.
Chris's car is the superior SWB version, complete with disc brakes and a few other refinements. He may be £6m lighter in the wallet today, but he has just secured himself arguably the sexiest car of all time. And who knows, by the year 2020 it might be worth £12m. Chris, Top Gear salutes you...
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6 Comments for "Pennies from Evans"
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Who wouldn't buy this if it came up for auction and they had the money? And it's certain to double in price in the next few years, as the California Spyder legacy extends and the demand for these kinds of vehicles just keeps on growing.
There's no doubt it's a beautiful car and let's face it, a better buy than property at the minute...
Fair play to Evans. I have no love for the guy, but he has impeccable taste in automobiles. If I had his cash, I'd snap this beauty up, too. To my mind, it is the only car capable of making the Alfa 8C look frumpy.
I think the price will peak and then fall to a 'reasonable' 2 million or so. The people who grew up with this car on their wall will no longer be in the market (for whatever reason) for nostalgic cars.
The ultimate symbol of a midlife crisis?
Smart thinking there Chris. It maybe expensive, but man, it looks good!!
With this car, frankly, money should be no object. I'd rather have this in my garage than Charlize Theron lying in my bed. Chris, top marks buddy!!!