$7.5 Million Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
A very rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider with coachwork by Scaglietti, believed to be the only example originally finished in Nocciola with Tobacco interior, arriving at and leaving the 2026 Concorso Ferrari, organized by the Southwest Region of the Ferrari Club of America (FCA), on Colorado Boulevard in Old Town Pasadena. This car, chassis no. 2277 GT, is the 11th of 56 short-wheelbase (SWB) California Spiders built, around ten of which were equipped with open headlamps, and was displayed at the 41st Brussels Motor Show in January 1961. It was previous owned by singer and actor Antonio Ciaccia, best known as “Little Tony”, and is believed to be the car featured in the 1968 Italian comedy film “Sissignore” (“Dismissed on His Wedding Night”) directed by Ugo Tognazzi. This Ferrari Classiche-certified car, which retains its original body, chassis, and drivetrain, was sold in 2025 for $7,550,000 at the Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach auction during Monterey Car Week.
Contrary to popular belief, Ferraris apparently don't melt in rain. But I completely understand why owners prefer to keep their prized possessions dry. Unfortunately, the reality of participating in organized car shows is that you often have to register and pay ahead of time, not knowing what the weather will be like. And even here in "sunny" Southern California, the skies aren't always clear. I heard several Ferrari owners decided to bail out of this year's Concorso due to the drizzle. Thankfully, the owner of this car wasn't one of them. And that takes quite a bit of courage given it was just acquired less than a year ago for a cool 7.5 million bucks. Yes, at some point during the day he decided to put the top up. But before that, those leather seats received enough watering to fully soak his Versace pants if he were to take a seat. Oh, the problems of the rich.
It's not hard to see why this car traded hands for more money than some entire neighborhoods. It has the power and performance you'd expect from a Ferrari 250 along with the nimbler SWB chassis. It also has what many consider one of the most beautiful 250 body styles. That gold paint may seem out of place on a modern Ferrari, but on this car it looks absolutely incredible. And those raindrops only serve to add a new dimension to the car's beauty - one that you don't get to experience under bright lights at auto shows or auction stands. If I were the owner, I'd be crying a little on the inside. But boy am I glad he didn't let the rain stop him!
Would you show your $7.5 million Ferrari in the rain? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!