Is the 250 GT California Spider the best convertible ever?

During the total restoration of two original SWB Covered headlight 250 GT California spiders over the last two years we have explored why, in our opinion, these are the best convertible Ferraris ever.

[@ReactionShot]

It's not a car, it's a work of art.

[@tylerbrosch532]

Amen to that

[@ghibli608]

Absolutely ! Well said !

[@KCJbomberFTW]

Buying a GTO

[@MechanicalSculptor]

Mmmmm …. Pretty sure it’s a car, I saw him driving it on a road. I’m also pretty sure it’s a piece of beautiful, timelessly elegant aesthetic design. So in conclusion, it’s both. It’s automotive art.

[@MrCharlou92]

One of the most beautiful car ever built in my opinion... I said "one of" because the Ferrai 330 P4 is also a truly masterpiece...

[@joesmith389]

True, and I’d have to add the L Miura in with that group.

[@isaachull1646]

@@joesmith389 and the tipo 33 alfa

[@richgall63]

Joe Smith not a convertible

[@gregorydahlen2103]

@@joesmith389 You two nailed it. The 330 P4, California Spyder and Miura. What a three car garage that would be!

[@GeneralLee1961.3]

Absolutely agree! But what about Jaguar XK-SS and XKE?

[@philc4520]

Beautiful. Perfection.

[@OwndByAlex]

Amazing video, well done guys!

[@RamosDominicano]

Beautifully done. Good job lads.

[@dannythompson6719]

Such a fantastic channel - love your short films and learning more about the fabulous Ferrari's. Keep up the great work!

[@cjbolton]

I love all of your videos James. And the work done by your team is something else.

[@piercelindenberg6842]

It’s beautiful. It’s also seen in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. That’s what I know it from.

[@Petrance]

imagine you found one of these abandoned in an old werehouse where noone ever entered for decades.

[@Westside7be]

I do. And then I also suddenly meet Alicia Vikander and we go for a blast on some Italian twisties. :D

[@GeneralLee1961.3]

A Christmas morning feeling!

[@5CU11Y]

Completely run down, dusty, crappy old garage, and it’s sitting in perfect condition 😱

[@vinylattic6901]

this or the berlinetta would be a dream to have, but not as a trophie, this work of art was made to rule the streets. ive talked to a guy at the last local carmeet, he owns and daily drives a 275gtb. hes comment on how it feels to use them like this was "its like beeing a gentle man from back in the day, it gives me this noble, joyfull feel, i had when ive driven with my dad on sundays, as a child"

[@garywarmanen3987]

Yes, it’s probably the most beautiful car ever derived by man.

[@matteosiefert846]

These ARE 4 wheeled perfection. I absolutely adore every line of the SWB's with covered headlights. If I could only own one car, this would be it.

[@Leto_II]

This is my favourite car in the world and has been since I was 4/5 and I love it so much I even have the chassis numbers of my favourite Californias, I will tho that these things are so special that even being near one is something else a je ne sais quoi about them. I’ve been lucky enough to see two real ones in my lifetime both were immaculate and they were driven. What a dream.

[@haitchkay]

The best looking car ever made. EVER

[@logwind]

that is a breathtakingly beautiful car.

[@CHRIS-ob4hk]

The only car that gives me goosebumps ❤️

[@neilurwin9670]

Brilliant Video All The Best Everyone n Ferrari's.

[@trentmcgee9186]

Wow! Well done. 😃👍

[@paulwhiteman3625]

That is a thing of beauty!

[@StarOfArtemis]

I would go so far as to say it's probably the best convertible ever built. Certainly one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

[@BOS9679]

Fantasy dream car list 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder… 1967 aston martin db5 & 1967 jaguar XKE

[@cobra1010]

Ferrari GT cars are just a complete dream!

[@albopastrami9269]

Stunning

[@AllTheBestCO]

Bellissimo

[@sotiriosbakaimis3313]

best & most elegant cabriolet of all times indeed

[@kingtriplebbb5347]

That's the kinda car you see Mr. Cary Grant driving 🎭🎩📽🎬

[@robinraphael]

Absolutely beautiful 😮😂 thank you very much

[@GM-fh5jp]

The SWB California Spyder and the 288GTO are a tie on my "Most Wanted Dream Car" list. Ferrari at their best.

[@shelbysolko7783]

You got to remember some of the 1950s convertible sports cars that rivaled the Ferrari 250 GT California. The Chevrolet Corvette, the Austin-Healey, and the BMW 507.

[@mxrz]

A garbage container with its top off, is as much a rival to the California, as those things you mentioned. There was only one worthy rival; the E-Type.

[@recalcitrant_recidivist9278]

Very possibly the most beautiful convertible; I think I personally prefer the LWB but that’s a very tough call.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

No Jag E Type Mk1 is cheaper and more beautiful!

[@jackdoe3889]

How does blue oil smoke (4:52) fit in with perfect restoration?

[@robinraphael]

When he downshifted I literally made the same noise 😂😂 probably the closest I will get to this vehicle

[@d.b.1176]

Probably the best looking convertible ever

[@carig121]

Back when car makers started by drawing the most beautiful lines possible for a car and then decided to put an engine and wheels on it.

[@MaartenOosterbaan]

Why the music at the end!!? That’s what the engine’s for!

[@edsmith4821]

It's the best looking convertible ever

[@edsmith4821]

I want one

[@SuperBullyone]

the perfect sports car.

[@joelchump]

This car was probably well known in car enthusiasts circles, but the world knew of its existence after Ferris Buellers Day Off came out and probably a large percentage of this views on this video are still from that. I like how no credit given to this cars popularity is because of this. 🤦🏻

[@kingtriplebbb5347]

Looks like 007 car in (Red)👍

[@garyhaber333]

Such a sexy car... Just as sexy as the E type Jag...🥰 I love European cars of the lpate 50s, and the 60s, They are truly rolling art.🥰😍

[@jnpinsky6747]

I understand that this car is a work of art, but unlike a Picasso or a Van Gogh this is an object that was meant to be used and enjoyed. The downside of collector cars becoming 8-figure investments is that they will spend the rest of their days in climate controlled private showrooms. Back in 1971 you could get one of these for $5,000 USD and I’m sure at that time people were getting the most out of them too.

[@straightbusta2609]

5000 USD??!! In today's money 5000 is a bit more too, ik but that's damn cheap

[@wncoulte]

That's about $50M observed in this video

[@Euph0rik9]

5:31 Thank you. For the time you ceased your babel and over-track, and allowed the sound of the vehicle we're all watching this video to hear, to finally be heard, for a proper 2 seconds. Kind. Far, too kind.

[@agustinrojasbobbio8351]

the best convertible ever built

[@kavichauhan5728]

yes

[@ephraimfink9010]

It’s a tie between this and the Daytona

[@andrefecteau]

Beuller?

[@lapartdesanges4784]

best car in the world

[@SteveHartz]

My lord.

[@arisgod2749]

Not doubting these guys do amazing work but on a car that is about 20 million wouldn't you want to have Ferrari classic do the restoration, especially since it adds to the value if they do it.

[@fe9ner256]

These guys are very good probs as good as ferrari themselves

[@Feintgames]

It's so special that not even Ferrari can make a better one.

[@jcrossan1351]

*OH YEAH*

[@tizioincognito1005]

Yes it is the best look ing car ever

[@charliewoods9927]

I’m I ever become a billionaire, I’m buying this car

[@gavinhalm3016]

Who is the person that gave this a thumbs down? :(

[@bradhefty6744]

probably one this guys haters growing up. Salty that he's driving that beauty

[@nathanpartridge3565]

Yugo driver.

[@johnforeman634]

I think if I could have any one car ever built, it would be this one. A 61, year of my birth. But for now, I’ll get into my low budget 92 348........and pretend

[@iankneer961]

Did Ferrari spend 500 hours prepping the cars for paint? It's unfortunate that they aren't restored to"as they were in the day" but ever increasingly improved to a standard well beyond the original cars,this history is lost and fantasy created

[@f-natic]

Nothing alive compares to a Ferrari 250 GT California. Absolutely nothing. And i'd give my left arm and leg for a 1984 911 SC/RS street version.

[@spencerstracke92]

It's his fault he didn't lock the garage.

[@LaurenMiddleton28]

My 2 wishes... A Time Machine... to buy this car in 1961 and store it Correctly.. all fluids taken out.. tires off.. remove the engine... 2nd wish... To walk on another planet... Especially a planet with a nitrogen.. oxygen combo..

[@l.s.contreras7120]

That wouldn't happen to few of them built

[@GeneralLee1961.3]

It’s not a car. It’s a Ferrari!!!

[@johnforeman634]

Haha. Your comment reminds me of when I bought my first Ferrari. An old Italian guy was looking at it and talking to me about it, then as he walked away he said to me “you know not to refer to it as a car, it’s a Ferrari”.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

According to Schlabubvvo sadly soon all gas cars will be illegal in EU and USA!!!!

[@R700Bren]

This is the best car I have ever bought but I never drive it. I just rub it with a diaper!

[@johnforeman634]

Haha. He loves it more than life itself!

[@darrtetzy]

I'd prefer the 275 GTS NART Spyder - rarer, more powerful and even prettier.

[@adrianhetmanski1832]

Once this is done to this classic, it is no longer original. Huge diff between orig. and off the chassis full resto. By same token u could just have craftsman build u a full on replica that is identical, including fake vin. All the tiny imperfections is what made the California special.

[@TheL046Kid]

ALL this work and a Fram oil filter....WTF....

[@richgall63]

The greatest convertible ever is a ‘68 Ferrari with the four letter acronym name, NART.

[@jnpinsky6747]

I assume you’re talking about the 275gts/4?

[@megadragon886]

NART was a racing team, they used many Ferraris in races

[@augnkn93043]

No. The best convertible ever is the 1.5 series jaguar e type or the mx5.

[@alexthai4957]

Apparently, a majority of those commenting haven't endured the headaches of owning an unreliable European antique. I have owned a couple and finally came to my senses last year and bought a model S plaid. No more headaches, only smiles! Good day.

[@emmebi2825]

No, Lancia Aurelia Spider is the best convertible ever.

[@megadragon886]

I think it is the best convertible, is a Ferrari

[@thekeysking]

MINECRAFT

[@TryNotToHate1]

He basically said nothing at all in nearly 6 minutes time. Except, Ferrari 250 convertible =good. Thanks. Compelling.

[@gabesolomon4887]

No, it isn't. Looks good, sucks to drive. These were the last cars from Ferrari's "we don't care about the road cars" era. Then Jaguar came out with the E-type, Porsche came out with the 911, and Lamborghini came out with the 350. Now suddenly Ferrari had to actually care about how their road cars drove, and things changed very, very quickly. Now the 275 N.A.R.T. Spider- that's your best convertible ever.

[@NoPrivateProperty]

solid axle, leaf springs, ugly low hanging exhaust, over rated and priced. e type jag better

[@lamboman68]

jen zydyk you have just described a jag e type

[@deluxeseventyone]

E type is ugly in comparison with it it's wheels mounted so far in-board, they never sat out far enough looks like pizza cutters and it's overly long nose. You can't compare it to such a thoroughbred as the Ferrari with 250 origins.

[@dinotom1]

Idiotic comment, the two are incomparable in quality and driveability

[@Atombender]

Crappy 4-speed gearbox, only 250-280 HP, cramped interiour, 14 inch wheels. It's all marketing bullshit. This car doesn't hold a candle to a 275 NART Spider, which is better in every single aspect.

[@dinotom1]

Alex K. Maybe but doubtful, except California body style overwhelms NART body style by a wide margin

[@chriskappert1365]

The best looking ever ? YES ! The all time best ? NO ! Thats the Mazda MX5 . Affordable AND the same wind in your hair at 80 miles an hour . And .......ohhhhh.......extremely reliable ! 😊