One of the world’s rarest and most sought after Ferraris is on sale for a stunning £14.5 million.
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider by Scaglietti is one of just 56 made.
It is described as one of the most beautiful and pedigreed Ferraris ever built.
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It was owned for 30 years by American actor Kenneth Mars.
The model was dominant in racing during the 1950s and 1960s including a class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring and a fifth-place overall finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In 1960, an updated version was built on the company’s new 2,400-millimetre short wheelbase, offering improved handling and styling.
The revised California Spider featured a wider track, Koni telescopic shock absorbers, four-wheel disc brakes, and the latest evolution of the short-block V-12 engine.
Chassis number 2955 GT is the 26th example built.
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Configured with covered headlamps, orange signal lamps in a low position on the front wings, and no bumper brackets, the Ferrari was finished in Bianco Saratoga paint over an interior of Nero vaumol leather by Connolly.
Its first owner, André Budi-Medawar, a Lebanese enthusiast kept the car in Rome.
Over the next two years, the short-wheelbase enjoyed service at the Garage Vincenzo Malagò & Co in Rome, as well as technical inspections at the Ferrari factory.
In 1965 the Ferrari was sold to Bernard Stayman of Dayton, Ohio.
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In 1969 he sold the Spider to Kenneth Mars of Granada Hills, California, as reported by Whats The Jam.
The character actor’s most famous roles were in Peter Bogdonavich’s What’s Up Doc? opposite Barbara Streisand and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.
He owned it for over 30 years and repainted the coachwork in Rosso.
In 2000, Mr Mars sold the Ferrari to the brokers Rick Cole and Marty Yacoobian, and they in turn sold the car to auctioneer Craig Jackson.
The 250 GT was then purchased from Jackson in March 2000 by a Frankfurt-based collector.
It was then sold in July 2019 to the current owner, an international businessman who maintains a strong collection of important motorcars in Europe.
Its listing states: “Certified by Ferrari Classiche to be a matching-numbers example, chassis number 2955 GT is primed for additional high-level exhibition at major concours d’elegance and marquee events, or it may be enjoyed for its splendid driving qualities, as originally envisioned by John von Neumann.
“Noteworthy for being a show car at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, this short-wheelbase California Spider would make a crowning addition to even the most accomplished collections.”
It is being sold by RM Sotheby’s on 25 April in Monaco.
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