Equipment
Sold through Garage Francorchamps to Fredy Damman, then in 1964 through the same dealer to James Coburn who kept it until 1987. Next owner was Andy Cohen. Apparently restored by for Cohen, shown at Pebble Beach in 1992 (3rd in class), then sold in 1993 to Bruce Lustman. Well known and frequently shown since then. Ferrari Classiche Certified. Saleroom notice: This car has a correct Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder engine although we cannot confirm it is engine 2377GT. Ferrari Classiche have restamped a new and correct internal number for this type of engine. The engine number pad is now stamped with the Classiche logo and the number 168 with internal number 753F below it. The original internal number was 638F and historians note that all 250 GT internal numbers in period were even.
Market commentary
One of 56 SWB 250 GT Spider Californias built, a not inconsiderable number of largely very similar (and very beautiful) cars. Under any circumstances this is a truly astounding amount of money. For one with a re stamped engine of unknown origin it boggles the mind, upsetting all rational valuation guidelines. Not even the wimpy dollar fully explains the buyers or the underbidders willingness to pay so much. Even with a more historic exchange rate of a buck and a half to the UK pound this is over seven million (old, healthy) US dollars. For a car with a replacement engine. You gotta like James Coburn, old In Like Flint himself, a whole heck of a lot to put a multi million dollar (pound or euro) premium on his California Spyder. The term irrational money seems appropriate in this case. Reported re sold in August 2010 for about $5 million.