Hardtop Possibly for 250GT SWB California Spyder | FerrariChat

Hardtop Possibly for 250GT SWB California Spyder

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Qship, Feb 2, 2014.

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  1. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #1 Qship, Feb 2, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 2, 2014
    Hello - I purchased a hardtop at a garage sale not knowing what vehicle it would fit. It had the look of Pininfarina late 50's early 60's top and the price was right.

    After research, the top closely resembles that of a 250 GT SWB California Spyder.

    I find it hard to believe this, but stranger things have happened.

    I am looking for advise on the best way to figure out what car this top fits, as no one has written "The Complete History of Pininfarina Hardtops".
     
  2. mechaniker

    mechaniker Formula Junior
    Owner

    May 30, 2004
    566
    Germany
    Post Pics!

    Than I/someone else could help.
     
  3. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
    Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 1, 2002
    18,043
    San Marino, CA
    Full Name:
    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    Post enough pics and we'll tell you exactly what it is.
     
  4. 335s

    335s Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2007
    870
    SF Bay Area
    Full Name:
    T. Monma
    exactly where was this garage sale,?
    The questions YOU should be asking are: WHO ARE THEY, AND HOW POSSIBLY WOULD HE COME INTO A HARDTOP OF WHICH 48-54 CARS WERE MADE IN TOTAL, AND, ONLY 6-8 CARS WERE DELIVERED WITH SUCH A RARELY OPTIONED ITEM?

    Provenance/ownership /custody chain will tell much more than pictures...
    I care for several Series 2 cabriolets, a series 1 cabriolet, and in the last 5 yerars: an alloy LWB and an SWB Cal Spy...my perspective is much less of pics, as I can MAKE one of these-

    How did last owner get it???
    ...even in cabriolets, these are rare...but can be made-I've seen it done so for a BMW s2 507...so it happens ALL the time...but NOT for the cost or valuation of a "real one"....and, most only fit the car for which it was made for!(hand built cars and alll...)
     
  5. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    Apr 6, 2004
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    CH
    Well years ago one lady took the hardtop off of the Cal Spyder she was driving and merely left the top by the side of the road...
     
  6. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
    10,034
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    Barbara Hershey - SWB Cal Spyder 2903GT.
     
  7. Vincent Vangool

    Vincent Vangool Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2007
    1,243
    Zanskar, Kargil district, Ladakh, India
    Full Name:
    Vincent Vangool
    Wonder if it's the missing hardtop? Would be neat to run into Hershey one day and get more details. It's a pretty interesting story though....

    Quoted from Barchetta.com

    ".. - Hardtop lost when then owner Barbara Hershey and then husband David Carridine dropped acid, they were tripping out in the rain while driving and pulled over and left the hardtop on the Pacific Coast Highway. When they came down, remembered they'd left it on the side of the road, they went back and, surprise, it was gone."
     
  8. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #8 Qship, Feb 3, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Pictures attached. The garage sale was near Pittsfield MA. I bought it from a company that cleans out houses and barns for a living. They held a garage sale and it was just leaning against a tree in the front yard. I was told it was for an MGA. It is metal not aluminum and the rear glass is glass. I was told if I remove the headliner, I might find manufacturing marks. I really don't want to do that.
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  9. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    Also in the first photo where the "B" pillar meets the body, the sharp angle changes are screw points for the rubber gasket. The actual shape is more gradual.
     
  10. mechaniker

    mechaniker Formula Junior
    Owner

    May 30, 2004
    566
    Germany
    It is a California Hardtop!

    Seems to be for a SWB.


    Strange are the hold down hooks. I only know it with the r/l rods.

    The headlining seems to be original.
     
  11. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
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    Cardiff, UK
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    Steven Robertson
    Do you have its dimensions?
     
  12. dantm

    dantm Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
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    YYZ, BOS, SFO
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    Dan B.
    It doesn't look to be from an MGA; those are more round/bubbly in the back area.
     
  13. Vincent Vangool

    Vincent Vangool Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2007
    1,243
    Zanskar, Kargil district, Ladakh, India
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    Vincent Vangool
    Sure looks to be. I guess the question to be answered now is what color was Hershey's California when she was tripping and left it behind. What a great find.
     
  14. MikeRSR

    MikeRSR Formula Junior

    Jun 22, 2009
    476
    Surrey, England
    #14 MikeRSR, Feb 3, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Using yours, one off the internet and a little basic photoshop, allowing for different lens angles they sure do look the same......
    Fantastic find, well done and best of luck with it!
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  15. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    Interpreting dimensions of curved surfaces may not be accurate, so I measured the connecting points, front and side. The front connection points at the windshield are roughly 47 inches apart, and the "B" pillar connection points are just under 51 inches apart.
     
  16. champtc

    champtc Formula Junior

    Apr 18, 2004
    732
    its Italian..use metric!!
     
  17. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    OK in Italian, ;)
    La dimensione 47 pollici è di 119 mm e i 51 pollici è di circa 130 mm
     
  18. ArtS

    ArtS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    Central NJ
  19. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
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    Jun 9, 2005
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    Orlando
    There may be a copy of the Declaration of Independence in the headliner...
     
  20. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    If their is, Tom Hanks will make a movie about it.
     
  21. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    I had an Alfa enthusiast friend, a restoration friend, and myself look at virtually every convertible possible, and this is the conclusion we all came too. I was told however by one person that these tops only were made of aluminum. On the other hand, I was told you can't say that because here it is.
     
  22. ArtS

    ArtS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2003
    8,984
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    #22 ArtS, Feb 3, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2014
    Qship,

    The other alternative is a Lancia, but I think the hard top for it is boxier (less sloped rear window). As to aluminum or other material, I'd be inclined to think there may be some variance but I'd say it looks like you have the real deal.

    The other possibility, is that its a custom one-off built at a later date for a specific car but I doubt it.

    I'd take it to someone who knows what they are doing and have them carefully remove the headliner to see what's underneath then put it back to how you found it. The process will almost certainly cost more than you paid for it but may be worth it.

    Regards,

    Art S.
     
  23. Terra

    Terra F1 Rookie
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    #23 Terra, Feb 3, 2014
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  24. Terra

    Terra F1 Rookie
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    #24 Terra, Feb 3, 2014
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  25. Terra

    Terra F1 Rookie
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    #25 Terra, Feb 3, 2014
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