Description
The Ferrari California Spyder Speciale Pininfarina was an extremely rare, bespoke variation of the celebrated 250 GT California Spyder, built to showcase Pininfarina’s ability to tailor Ferrari’s most glamorous open-top model to the unique tastes of elite clients. While the standard California Spyder — offered in both long-wheelbase (LWB) and later short-wheelbase (SWB) forms — was already an icon of 1960s motoring, the Speciale versions stood apart as true one-offs or ultra-limited commissions.
Mechanically, the Speciale retained the Colombo-designed 3.0-litre V12, producing around 280 horsepower in standard form, paired with Ferrari’s crisp four-speed manual gearbox. Performance remained a hallmark, with strong acceleration and top speeds exceeding 240 km/h, but the Speciale’s real distinction came from its custom design elements. Pininfarina crafted these cars with subtle but striking changes, which could include unique front-end treatments, reshaped fenders, special grilles, bespoke lighting arrangements, or even custom windscreens and interiors.
The California Spyder Speciale combined the sporting elegance of the regular model with enhanced luxury. Inside, the cabin often featured richer materials, bespoke colour schemes, and unique dashboard layouts. Each example was tailored to its owner, sometimes incorporating unusual features for a Ferrari roadster of the era, such as additional instrumentation, bespoke luggage compartments, or special trim finishes.
These Speciale commissions were typically reserved for Ferrari’s most valued customers — royalty, prominent industrialists, or personal friends of Enzo Ferrari. As a result, production was extremely limited, with each car essentially hand-built to its patron’s specification. The blend of rarity, coachbuilt individuality, and the California Spyder’s already legendary reputation has made the Speciale versions some of the most coveted Ferraris of all time.
Today, the Ferrari California Spyder Speciale Pininfarina stands as a symbol of the era when Ferrari and Pininfarina would combine their talents to create rolling works of art for a select few. When they appear at auction, these cars attract intense interest, not only for their beauty and performance but also for the exclusivity and personal history they carry.