The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is, without question, among the most recognizable, admired, and collectible sports cars of all time. Developed at the behest of Ferrari’s West Coast representative John von Neumann and aimed at the all-important North American market, the California Spider was envisioned as an open-air counterpart to the dual-purpose 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta.

Between 1957 and 1962, Ferrari built just 106 California Spiders – 50 examples of the original long-wheelbase (LWB) model and 56 of the later short-wheelbase (SWB) variant. While each version of the California Spider has its own aesthetic and technical distinctions, all were built on the contemporary 250 GT chassis and feature stylish coachwork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti.

Although the California Spider was marketed as a true dual-purpose sports car, the reality was that only a few of these glamorous Ferraris ever left the factory in race-ready trim. Of the 50 LWB California Spiders built, about 10 were originally supplied with a combination of competition features, including tuned engines, ribbed-alloy gearboxes, limited-slip differentials, long-range fuel tanks, and lightweight all-alloy bodywork. Far fewer of the SWB California Spiders were similarly equipped.

Given the nature of Ferrari production, these exclusive race-prepared California Spiders were produced on a one-off basis through the model’s production run. As a result, no two examples are the same.

Despite their extremely limited production and lack of direct factory support, these factory hot-rodded California Spiders achieved impressive results in racing. Most were delivered to the US and were highly competitive in the SCCA’s B- and C-Production classes between 1959 and 1961, capturing class wins at major venues including Bridgehampton, Nassau, Watkins Glen, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

In Europe, where only a few LWB California Spiders were delivered, the model’s competition record is more limited. In fact, much of the California Spider’s racing record in Italy can be attributed to this unique car, chassis 1235 GT, which Ferrari built to special order for an amateur racing driver named Dott. Ottavio Randaccio.

The son of a decorated Italian WWI hero, Randaccio began his racing career in 1954 when he entered a Lancia Aurelia in the Mille Miglia. In 1955, he drove a 250 Mille Miglia at Monza and was so impressed that he bought his own Ferrari in 1956 – a 250 GT Tour de France, which he raced in a variety of Italian and Austrian events through 1958.

To replace his Tour de France, Randaccio ordered a new 250 GT LWB California Spider, which he had Ferrari build to his exact specifications. As documented in Ferrari’s build sheets, 1235 GT is no ordinary California Spider, but a car that was clearly intended for competition use and factory-equipped with the latest high-performance components.

At the heart of this California Spider is a tipo 128D engine, the latest version of the classic Colombo V-12, which served as the basis for the engine fitted to the 250 Testa Rossa. Randaccio’s engine, identified by internal no. 224D, was built with Hi-Lift tipo 130 camshafts, high-compression (9.3:1) Borgo pistons, and three Weber 36 DCL3 carburetors topped with a cold air box and open velocity stacks, denoted on the build records as trombette (trumpets). The original Ferrari dyno sheets for 1235 GT record a maximum output of 253 hp at 7,200 rpm, about 20 to 30 hp more than most LWB California Spiders.

The Ferrari build sheets also confirm that 1235 GT was fitted with a competitionspecification gearbox (with ribbed aluminum casting for better cooling), limited-slip differential, Abarth exhaust, and a massive 136-liter fuel tank for increased range.

Consistent with its exceptional mechanical specifications, the steel body that Carrozzeria Scagletti produced for 1235 GT was totally bespoke. Not only was it fashioned with the beautiful and now highly sought-after covered headlamps, it also was fitted with a competition-type, quick-release external fuel filler, a desirable feature shared with just a few other California Spiders. Fittingly, Randaccio had his Italian thoroughbred finished in the traditional tricolore (tricolor) livery – red with a white and green central stripe – and registered it in Milan as “MI 416875.”

During the summer of 1959, Randaccio campaigned 1235 GT in several Italian circuit races and hill climbs, capturing class wins in his first two outings. In September, he entered the California Spider in what was to be the final race of his career, the Coppa Inter-Europa di Monza, an important annual event for GT cars. Wearing no. 78, Randaccio placed 5th Overall, finishing behind three Ferrari Tour de France Berlinettas and Elio Zagato’s Fiat 8V. Back in Maranello, Ferrari recognized Randaccio’s fine performances with his California Spider by including a photo of 1235 GT in the official 1959 yearbook.

According to Automobile Club d’Italia registration records, Ottavio Randaccio sold his California Spider in October 1959. The car’s next owner, Giuseppina Piatti of Bergamo, Italy, repainted it metallic silver gray and fitted a hardtop and custom vertical bumperettes, giving 1235 GT a distinctive new appearance. A photograph of the California during Sig. Piatti’s ownership is featured in Graham Gauld’s book Modena Racing Memories, though it is misidentified as 1527 GT.

In May 1960, Piatti sold the California Spider to its third owner and, from there, the car was sold through a succession of Italian owners over the next 35 years. While most of these owners kept the Ferrari for brief spells, two are notable for their longer periods of ownership: Blocchi Togni S.p.A. of Milan owned 1235 GT from 1960 to 1967, and Nicola Gandini of Florence, Italy, retained the car from 1973 until 1993.

In 1995, Mark Ketcham acquired the California Spider from a dealer in Vicenza, Italy, and traded it among his clients over the next three years. Around 1999, well-known Ferrari specialists Charles Betz and Fred Peters acquired 1235 GT, adding it to their combined collection of outstanding GT and sports racing Ferraris. During their ownership, Mr. Betz and Mr. Peters displayed the California Spider at Concorso Italiano in Monterey and the FCA National Concours in Los Angeles.

Since 2004, this one-of-a-kind California Spider has been cherished in a private collection, the content of which can be described as carefully selected, best-of-category motorcars from every era. In the current owner’s care, 1235 GT has benefited from high-quality restoration work carried out in a no-expense-spared fashion by the leading Bay Area specialists. Early on in his ownership, the renowned Phil Reilly & Company of Corte Madera, California, performed a complete engine rebuild and fine-tuned the chassis. Over the past 17 years, the Ferrari has been put to good use on numerous local tours and organized rallies such as the Colorado Grand, which it ran as recently as 2017. It has always performed flawlessly.

Recently, the owner of 1235 GT decided to return this important Ferrari to its original livery. The cosmetic restoration was entrusted to Moal Coachbuilders in Oakland, California, among the most respected experts working in the craft. Over the past year, the Ferrari has received an exacting bare-metal repaint, new upholstery, and fine detailing, and it now presents in the classic Italian tricolore, just as it appeared new in 1959.

Not only is this California Spider unique in its appearance and specification, it is also a genuine, well-documented example, with its original chassis, body, and major components surviving intact. Importantly, copies of the original factory build sheets confirm that 1235 GT retains its matching-numbers engine (internal no. 224D), and gearbox (internal no. 122D).

The consignor’s efforts to research the history of 1235 GT has resulted in a voluminous file, which includes a Massini report, period photos, registration documents, and restoration records. The sale of the Ferrari also includes a rare accessory hardtop in unrestored condition. While it cannot be confirmed whether this top was supplied new for 1235 GT, it is known to have been a feature of this car since at least 1960, while in the hands of its second owner.

Gooding & Company has known and admired this exceptional California Spider for many years, having assisted the current owner with his acquisition in 2004. This is a California Spider which perfectly captures the romantic appeal of this iconic Ferrari model, an open two-seater equally at home on the streets of Milan or in the paddock at Monza.