Rare 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cali Spider at auction for a minty £14 million

A one-of-a-kind Ferrari is to take centre stage at a US auction in March. This 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is estimated to be worth a cool £14 million+ and will be joined by a slew of other rare Ferraris at Gooding's Amelia Island sale over the pond.

As chassis no. 3099 GT (to those in the know) it’s one of the most desirable short-wheel base Ferraris ever produced - without doubt, it’s one of the prettiest things we’ve ever seen.

Completed in 1962, this particular Ferrari was given a one-off metallic azure paint finish and wonderfully tasteful light tan interior. Built for the US market, sporting a Berlinetta-SWB that would give it a more sophisticated chassis and refined suspension, it has competition-inspired bucket seats, a lightweight folding top and swept-back windscreen. Perfect for the Big Sur scene.

Between 1957 and 1963 Ferrari built only 106 examples, only 56 of which were the final SWB variant. First shipped to New York for the motor show, this example then headed out to California. In 1970, it was bought by Rudi Klein, an avid car collector, infamous for buying sweet rides and letting them rot in the Cali sun. Discovered in ‘72 by Ferrari fans Charles Betz and Fred Peters, the duo restored the California Spider to exacting concours standards. They called on legendary custom car painter Stan Betz, who colour-matched the exterior to its original 1962 hue.

In 2008, following completion of the restoration in 2004, this Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider was granted Ferrari’s ‘Classiche Red Book certification’, confirming it still has the original chassis, coachwork, engine, gearbox, rear axle and ancillary components.

David Gooding, boss of the auction company, Gooding & Co said: "We are so proud to present this incredible lineup of some of the finest Ferrari classics in existence at our Amelia Island Auctions, elevating the event’s selection of offerings to include motoring icons from the uppermost echelon of collector favourites.”

The auction will also provide a platform to a veritable cache of Ferraris, including a 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta, a 250 MM Spider and a 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider in March—join us spending lunchtimes longing lusting after any single one of these treasures.