CMC Ferrari 250 GT SWB, California Spyder, 1961 - 1/18

Model car details:

• Hand-assembled metal precision model made from 1634 parts
• Authentic and true-to-scale moulded bodywork
• Front / rear bumper in metal design. Mounted horns with hard rubber bumpers
• Hinged bonnet with self-locking retaining bar
• 12-cylinder V-engine with add-on units and complete cable routing / cabling
• Perfect spoke wheels with aluminium rims and stainless steel wire spokes drawn in by hand with individually mounted nipples
• Screw-on wheel centre locks with right-hand and left-hand thread
• Detailed metal side ventilation grilles on the front mudguards
• Seats, door side panelling and the rest of the interior covered in fine leather
• Original-style dashboard with all round instruments and controls
• Cockpit footwell and boot lined with carpet
• Hinged boot lid with leather strap fastening
• Spare wheel in the boot with leather strap fastening
• Exact replica of the floor assembly with detailed tubular steel frame
• Functional independent front suspension on metal wishbones
• Rear axle with longitudinal leaf springs and metal trailing arms

Growing prosperity and the mild climate made California the „dreamland“ of the Americans. Johnny von Neumann, a Ferrari dealer in California, realised that the jet set needed a special „toy“ that was completely different from the vehicles made by American manufacturers. His desire for a powerful Spyder found a sympathetic ear with Enzo Ferrari.
With the Ferrari 250 California SWB, Ferrari succeeded in creating a convertible that was unrivalled at the end of the 1950s and was regarded as the benchmark for all open-top roadsters. The ingenious duo, namely Sergio Pininfarina as coachbuilder and the no less famous Sergio Scaglietti as virtuoso sheet metal artist, contributed to this success.
The „Cal-Spyder“ was initially launched in early 1958 with a long wheelbase of 2,600 mm. In 1960, a new version followed as a so-called Short Wheel Base (SWB) with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm. This car was basically identical in construction to the 250 GT/SWB Berlinetta, which was launched at the end of 1959. Its famous 12-cylinder V-engine now brought a powerful 280 hp to the tarmac. Vehicles for road use were given a steel body; for racing, a lightweight aluminium body was provided together with a larger fuel tank and external tank filler neck with quick-release fastener.
The Ferrari 250 California “Cal-Spyder“ therefore very quickly became the status symbol of the truly ultimate and honest „dual-purpose car“. In other words, it was in its element both on the road and on the racetrack. As a result, it achieved an almost mystical status as a successful sports car, firstly because of the low production numbers and secondly as a rare and highly valuable automotive beauty in unadulterated quality.
Of the 105 cars built between 1958 and 1963, divided into around 50 LWBs and 55 SWBs, various representatives could be admired on the film screen. CMC has opted for the road version of the Ferrari 250 California Spyder with covered headlights and additional bumper horns. As a special feature, the limited edition model versions in blue, silver and black exterior paintwork are supplied with the factory hardtop, which was very rarely offered by Ferrari in the past, as a loose component.