250 GT California Spider

Thanks Wayne!

I misread the post discussing it. I thought it said that it was in a parking garage LAST week, my bad. Last week I saw the bare block of the motor that had been living in this car recently. Francois S. is trying to track down the original motor but has not yet succeeded.

Regards,

Art S.

 

haha sweet! easier on the wallet then! i just love that picture-- perfect angle for the car and the color just pops!

 

I'll try to post some coherent thoughts on driving Cals in next day or so. I've put several thousand miles on a couple, several cross country trips. Very fun cars, both long and short. SWB still my fave. Proportions really well preserved in both LWB and SWB...testament to superb design. Rear fenders are sublime. Wish more tops were as easy to put up/down.
BTW, top frames should have SN on them too. Wayne will tell you where

 

Are there any variations on this 250 GT California Spider apart from the headlights?

 

LWB/SWB, open/closed headlight, alloy/steel, comp/street. Doorhandles, wheels, taillight variations Euro/US, gauge layouts. Probably a few other things that I forget offhand.

 

Che Bella Macchina......
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Back in the 80s, I was visiting a gentleman in Greenwich, CT and I was admiring his California Spider - actually I was mesmerized by the car.
A short wheelbase street/competition car with three of the biggest twin throat Webber carbs I've ever seen.

After he lifted the hood for me to admire the engine, he reached over, connected the battery and said "Go ahead, take it out for a ride". When I stared in disbelief he said "Go ahead - enjoy yourself!".

Guys, of all the cars I've had the pleasure to own or drive, this was absolutely the best. I cannot think of a word other than PERFECT to describe every aspect of the car - looks, handling, power, braking, sound - all perfect. I truly felt as if I was driving a brand new car that was custom built/tuned and tailored for me.

I drove it for around a 45 minutes and then returned it. I could have spent the next three weeks behind the wheel but after such a gratious gift, I wanted that masterpiece back in the owner's possesion before my nerves gave out! I normally refuse an offer to drive someone elses car but this went beyond all emotional limits - The short time that the car was "mine" was a gift from a gentleman who I will never forget.

Of you who have driven the California, no more explanation is needed.
Of you who have not, no explanation can express what it's like.

(I may have posted some verbage on this a while back but it still holds as one of the most rewarding automotive experiences of my life.)

Bob Zambelli