· Certified by Ferrari Classiche

· Very high-quality restoration by the best Italian craftsmen

· Twelfth car built, known history

· One of the most beautiful cabriolets in the history of the car

· No reserve

In December 1958, Ferrari’s importer in the United States, Luigi Chinetti, received this splendid Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California in his New York showroom. It was very much a new model, as production had begun only a few months earlier, and, for Chinetti, a source of satisfaction, as it was a model which he and John von Neumann, a Ferrari racer from California, had asked Ferrari to build. And it was Chinetti who came up with the name ‘California’. The car delivered to him was, moreover, only the twelfth example produced, including the prototype.

It was soon sold to its first New York owner, Robert Gumper, who kept it for a decade, before it crossed the country in 1970 to its second owner, Robert Ramlose, in California. From 1974, the car was laid up, before being bought by an Australian enthusiast who kept it until 1988. It was then exported to Germany, where it had four successive owners and, in 2003, was sold to a French collector, who registered it in England. Staffan Wittmark bought it in 2011, through Lukas Hüni. At this point, it was thought that the 250 GT Spyder, finished in red with a black interior, had previously been restored at least twice. As its condition was not beyond reproach, Mr Wittmark decided to have a complete, bare-metal restoration carried out. He assigned responsibility for the project to the best Italian craftsmen around Modena: Toni Auto, a workshop opposite the old entrance to Ferrari (on the via Abertone Inferiore in Maranello) founded in 1975 by the late Franco Toni, a former mechanic in Ferrari’s competition department. His son took over from him and today the family puts its experience at the disposal of the leading Ferrari collectors.

The complete chassis and body was sent to the Brandoli workshop, a family business established in 1980 by Egidio Brandoli, formerly in charge of the restoration department at Scaglietti. The shell was carefully stripped of its paint, leaving a body which was very well preserved for a car more than 50 years old. The few faults found at the rear of the car were corrected in line with best practices and the panels adjusted so that they were perfectly aligned, as befitting a car of this standing. It was then sent to the Carrozzeria Cremonini, at Lesignana in the suburbs of Modena, to be painted in several stages, with the process completed by hand. As the original colour was unknown, the owner chose “Canna di Fucile” a grey metallic colour, which proved an excellent choice to emphasize the car's elegant design.

The restoration of the interior was assigned to Luppi Tappezzeria in Modena: the incorrect bucket seats fitted were replaced by seats to the right specification with reclining backrests and the interior completely reupholstered in beige Connolly leather (code VM 3218), with matching carpets. The Nardi steering wheel was restored by the manufacturer, a new hood made and all the instruments, accessories and electrical equipment checked and restored as necessary. Regarding the engine, the original number appeared to have been removed, suggesting the engine had been replaced. The engine number have been re-stamped by Ferrari Classiche (who also affixed its stamp) during the car’s restoration ten years ago since a new engine block produced by Ferrari Classiche / Ferrari S.p.A. in 2012. The engine was then reinstalled with as many checked and rebuilt original parts as possible, with the exception of the pistons and liners, which were replaced by new items.

The final stage in the restoration was carried out by Toni Auto, where, after the wiring loom had been fitted and the final checks carried out, the engine was filled with its fluids and started up, its coming to life an emotional moment for the team responsible for its restoration.

The car has been certified by Ferrari Classiche and, in addition to various historical documents, comes with an illustrated book showing in detail its history and restoration.

Its immaculate condition lives up to the demands set by Staffan Wittmark, who is particularly sensitive to design and - through his professional activities - has an especially keen eye for aesthetics. In its elegant “Canna di Fucile” shade, this magnificent example pays tribute to one of the legendary models in Ferrari’s history. With more flowing lines than the 250 GT cabriolet, the spyder is also more exclusive, as only a hundred or so cars were built (for all versions). Its strong personality is underpinned by the fact that it was also built for competition, as the brochure of the time makes clear: “These GTs, which are available to any customers (...) are exactly the type of car we would like to see competing in endurance races.” A marriage of motorsport and prestige which has made Ferrari a marque like no other and this model a rare opportunity to acquire an impeccable example.