why did ferrari name the 250 GT california spyder

I´ve heard that, despite Mr. Ferrari never visited the United States, Mr. "Pinin" Farina told him that California was the best place in the world to drive a Ferrari. And I suppose that "Spyder California" sounds groovy.

 

Probably due to the requests for an open topped sports racer from Ferraris Californian dealers

 

Demand came from the US and the US dealer .

 

Yeah, until the Commies, PC police, & safety Nazis took over

 

i heard that they are making a new ferrari..probably the next 575 replacement....it will be called the "california"...can anybody correct me bout this?...

i happen to love the name "california" than the 340 mexico..i'm not separating countries...im just pointing out that the 250 california happens to have the looks and name than the 340 mexico...
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Hey, just because I spent over $1K last year on registration, and other $120 on smog tests and ... OK you're right.

 

The 250 GT New Jersey Spyder
The 250 GT Pennsylvania Spyder

and on, and on and on, 47 more times...

They just doesn't work very well.

 

Maybe cities...

The 250 GT Boston Spyder -- comes with crunched front and rear valances and parking violation-boot styled hubcaps.

 

I believe it was all Chinneti's idea.

Dave

 

Chinetti had alot to do with this move...

 

250 GT Cleveland Spyder

Has a 351 ci engine in it

 

Woooohoooo I got it right, do I get a prize

 

Von Neumann also had a PFI with cut down drivers door that was quite popular, 0655, but that was also a drive behind the car. The PF I and II's did well profit wise, and I think the competition factor of a lightweight spyder was also part of it.
Prince Bernhard's 0488AM was also a predecessor, and design-wise, I always felt the Cal was spiritually closest to this car and the TdF.
Similar to 360 CS of today. Hard to be "seen" in a coupe though.

 

For some interesting info see:

http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/forza/number10/pg58.frame

 

I thought the "California" part of the name was a nick name, not an official Ferrari name. Guess I was wrong..........

 

As usual, Jim Sitz is correct. While located in Hollywood, John and Eleanor's biz was called Ferrari Representatives of California.

 

Yeah, I was thinking of Leopold, not Bernhard.
Sergio Pinifarina and I discussed the Cal about 20-30 years ago, back when we had 2. The door cut-outs of JvN's car as well as the proportions of 0488 came up, and he was excited I noticed the link. He wanted the more sporty doors and "youthful" look rather than the more elegant straight doors of 0488, which was a full cabriolet.
The LWB Cal is far more subtle, less voluptuous than the SWB, my personal fave.
Wayne, the Cal is far more than a TdF chop...look at rear plan view and view with top up and down, and you'd never say that. See one next to a TdF and other than the nose, which is shared with 0488 amongst countless others, the similarity stops.
I don't have the pics I need on this box@ office, I will look @ home. Front 3/4 views are similar, but look at fenderside vent placement, and transition to rear fender bulge, as well as grille detailing. I have few pics of later TdF's, as I thougth it was derivative of the Cal. Early 14-louvers are the real TdF IMHO
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Perhaps this picture of the 250 Cal Spyder prototype can help bridge the gap between TdF and Cal Spyder. The pronounced shoulders and delicate front end take their styling cues from the TdF.
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Close up of the rear shoulders.
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