A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione sold for $25.3 million at the Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach 2025 sale as the most-expensive California Spider ever sold at public auction.
Most-Expensive 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione, chassis 2383 GT, sold for a model record $25,305,000 at the Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach 2025 sale. It was the most expensive car sold in the 2025 Monterey / Pebble Beach motoring week auctions (excluding the $26 million charity result for the 2025 Ferrari Daytona SP3). It was also the most expensive car ever sold by Gooding Christie’s.
The record 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione was only the 20th car to ever sell for over $20 million at public auction, the 13th most expensive car ever sold at auction, and the 13th California Spider to sell for over $10 million. It increased the Ferrari California Spider model record from the €16,288,000 ($18,649,760) paid for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, chassis 2935GT, at Artcurial’s Paris 2015 Rétromobile auction. This California Spider was part of the Baillon Collection – a magnificent barn-find collection that Artcurial sold for prices often far exceeding estimates.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione
The record-breaking 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione, chassis 2383 GT, is a very rare car. Of the 56 California Spider SWB cars, Ferrari built only three with lightweight aluminum coachwork, of which chassis 2383GT is one of only two completed to full competition specification.
Equipped by Carrozzeria Scaglietti with lightweight aluminum bodywork, covered headlamps, and a rare, removable aluminum hardtop, 2383 GT was fitted with a competition-style, quick-release external fuel filler.
2383 GT was delivered new to gentleman racer Ernst Lautenschlager of Stuttgart, Germany, who extensively campaigned his only Ferrari in German and Austrian hill climbs and circuit races. The California Spider remained in Germany and Switzerland with a handful of owners before coming to the US in 1968.
The vendor purchased this remarkable Competition California Spider in 1999, and subsequently commissioned Italian master Dino Cognolato with a meticulous restoration. The car was refinished in its current livery of sleek Grigio Fumo (Smoke Gray).
In the last 25 years, this California Spider has been a successful participant in virtually every top-tier event, from the Le Mans Classic to Salon Privé, the Concours of Elegance to Chantilly, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. However, it was never shown at Pebble Beach or Villa d’Este, nor offered publicly since the mid-1960s.
Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Auction Price History
Top Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Prices at Auction (2008-2026)
The five highest Ferrari 250 GT California Spider prices ever at auction were:
| R | Year | Car | Price (USD) | Auction House | Auction | Auction Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1961 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider Competizione | 25,305,000 | Gooding Christie’s | Pebble Beach | 2025/8 |
| 2 | 1961 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider | 18,649,760 | Artcurial | Paris | 2015/2 |
| 3 | 1959 | Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione | 18,150,000 | Gooding | Pebble Beach | 2016/8 |
| 4 | 1962 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider | 18,045,000 | Gooding | Amelia Island | 2023/3 |
| 5 | 1959 | Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione | 17,990,000 | RM Sotheby’s | New York | 2017/12 |
Note:
- See Ferrari 250 GT California Spider: Most Expensive Auction Prices for the complete price history and market trends since 2008.
- Last updated / verified: 19 March 2026.
- The next car to test the market: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, 2955GT, estimate $16,830,000 – $19,150,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2026.
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