1958 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder Headlines Gooding Christie’s Inaugural Paris Sale
The California Dream: Ferrari’s 1958 250 GT Spyder Headlines Gooding Christie’s Paris
Some cars are machines. Others are icons. And then, there are those rare few that transcend both – becoming mythology on wheels. Among them stands the 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, a creation that embodies la dolce vita, competition heritage, and timeless allure all at once.
It is this very Spyder—chassis 0923 GT, one of only 23 coveted examples with covered headlights – that will headline Gooding Christie’s inaugural Paris sale at Rétromobile 2026, an event already buzzing with anticipation among the world’s most discerning collectors.
A Ferrari for the Golden Coast
Born in July 1958, this long-wheelbase California Spyder was destined for glamour. Sold new through Ferrari’s Hollywood ambassador, John von Neumann, it quickly became a symbol of West Coast sophistication. If Luigi Chinetti brought Ferrari to the East, von Neumann championed it to the sun-drenched boulevards of California—where this model was both muse and marvel.
Designed for spirited drives and concours lawns alike, the California Spyder soon became the car of movie stars, jet-setters, and tastemakers. Graceful yet powerful, elegant yet assertive, it defined what an Italian grand tourer should be.
A Storied Provenance
Over the decades, chassis 0923 GT found itself in some of the world’s most prestigious collections. From its showing at the 28th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1978 to appearances at Goodwood Revival, the Louis Vuitton Concours at Hurlingham, and Cartier Style et Luxe, it has never ceased to command admiration. Its journey is one of reverence, moving seamlessly between continents, owners, and eras, all while retaining its charisma intact.
Certified by Ferrari Classiche and extensively chronicled in George Carrick’s The Spyder California and Stanley Nowa’s Ferrari Spider California, this car is not only an object of desire but also of scholarly importance. It is, quite literally, a reference point in Ferrari’s pantheon.
The Parisian Stage
For Gooding Christie’s, debuting in Paris as the new official auction partner of Rétromobile, this Spyder is a statement of intent. “We are delighted to present such a sought-after, Classiche-certified example for our first Paris sale,” says David Gooding, President of Gooding Christie’s. “This California Spyder reflects our tradition of offering only the most significant cars to an international clientele.”
The sale, set against the storied backdrop of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, promises to be more than an auction—it is the beginning of a new chapter for one of the world’s most revered auction houses.
A Legacy on Four Wheels
The 1958 California Spyder is more than a car; it is a narrative woven from sunlight, speed, and elegance. It speaks to a time when motoring was romantic, when the journey mattered as much as the destination. To see it glide across a concours lawn—or hear its V12’s aria—remains to this day a moment of pure enchantment.
As the spotlight falls on Paris in January 2026, one thing is certain: this Ferrari is not just a headline lot. It is history, passion, and beauty incarnate. And for one fortunate collector, it will soon be destiny.
Rétromobile Paris — January 28 to February 1, 2026. More details at Gooding & Christie’s.
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