One to Buy: ex-Bob Grossman 5th at Le Mans 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California Competizione
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In response to calls for a Roadster version of the enormously successful 250 GT Berlinetta (often dubbed Tour de France), Ferrari introduced the 250 GT Spyder California of which Competizione examples began to emerge from the beginning of 1959.
Customers could choose to have their Spyder California enhanced with any of the new Competizione options. A long list of racing equipment offered by Ferrari included lightweight aluminium as opposed to steel body panels, hot engines with all manner of trick parts, an uprated gearbox, optimised suspension, enhanced brakes, a racing fuel tank and back-to-basics upholstery.
Around half the small number of Spyder Californias built in aluminium-bodied form did go racing in 1959. Most famously, Richie Ginther and Howard Hively finished ninth overall and won the GT class using Hively’s works supported car at the Sebring 12 Hours in March, while in June, Bob Grossman drove his NART-run California with Fernand Tavano to fifth overall and third in the GT class at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
On March 8th, the car used by Grossman and Tavano to claim that fifth place finish at Le Mans, chassis 1451 GT, will be going under the hammer at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Amelia Island sale.
After the 1959 Le Mans race, chassis 1451 GT was sent beck to Maranello for proper finishing. Later that summer, it departed to the United States where Bob Grossman continued to race the car successfully. He even took it to the end-of-season 1959 Bahamas Speed Week and bagged a couple of wins. More victoriies followed in 1960, after which Grossman upgraded to a new 250 GT SWB Berlinetta.
More recently, in 2011, Wayne Obry's Motion Products completed a ground-up restoration of chassis 1451 GT which retains its matching numbers status as evidenced by Ferrari Classiche certification.
