Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
The ultimate expression of open-top Italian elegance and racing pedigree.
- Power
- 280 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 6.7 s
- Top speed
- 145 mph
- Est. value
- $15m–$25m
About the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
Introduced at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show, the SWB California Spyder replaced the earlier LWB version with a shorter 2,400 mm chassis for superior handling. Clothed in Scaglietti coachwork, it featured the potent Tipo 168 Colombo V12 and was the first Ferrari roadster to adopt four-wheel disc brakes. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful cars ever made, famously immortalised by a replica in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Collectors prize the 37 examples with covered headlights as the most desirable of the limited 56-unit production run.
Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder specs
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder produces 280 bhp (209 kW) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 145 mph (233 km/h).
| Make | Ferrari |
|---|---|
| Model | 250 GT California Spyder |
| Trim | 250 GT SWB California Spyder |
| Years | 1960–1963 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | Roadster |
| Country | Italy |
| Production | About 56 built |
| Original price | About $13,000 when new |
| Engine | 3.0-litre Colombo V12 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,953 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 280 bhp (209 kW) at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 7,500 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 6.7 s |
| Top speed | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 255 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder worth?
A typical Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is estimated to be worth $15,000,000 – $25,000,000 (about £11,190,000 – £18,640,000).
Its original price when new was about $13,000.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder rarity in CarSpot
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder fun facts
- Despite its glamorous road-going appearance, the SWB California Spyder was essentially a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta underneath, making it a genuine dual-purpose race car.
- A 1961 SWB California Spyder once owned by French actor Alain Delon was discovered in 2014 as part of the famous Baillon 'barn find' collection.
- The car used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off was actually a fiberglass-bodied replica called the Modena GT Spyder, as the real cars were already too valuable to stunt.
