Every year, Pebble Beach brings unforgettable moments, but 2025 raised the bar with a Ferrari like no other. The star was the Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione, which achieved an astonishing $25.3 million. This made it the most valuable Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione ever sold and the most expensive car ever offered by Gooding Christie’s.
Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione Sets the Pace
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione was built with racing in mind. With its short wheelbase chassis, lightweight bodywork, and performance upgrades, it stood apart from standard California Spiders. Collectors view it as the pinnacle of open-top Ferrari design. At Pebble Beach, chassis 2383 GT captured the room’s attention and cemented its place in history.
Record-Breaking Ferrari Results at Pebble Beach
Ferrari dominated the spotlight. Alongside the headline-making Competizione, two more California Spiders impressed: a 1961 SWB version in Nocciola over Tobacco sold for $7.55 million, while the 1957 LWB California Spider Prototipo, the very first of its kind, brought $7.26 million. A 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione set a world record for the model at $8.15 million, and a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS became the first Dino to break the million-dollar mark at $1.02 million.
Power, Performance, and Heritage
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione blended racing ability with elegance. Equipped with a 3.0-liter V12 producing around 280 horsepower, it offered thrilling performance for its era. Its lightweight construction, paired with a competition-tuned chassis, made it formidable on both road and track. Collectors value not just its speed but also its role in Ferrari’s motorsport heritage.
Beyond Ferrari: Icons Across the Spectrum
The Pebble Beach sale was not just about Ferrari. A 1990 Ferrari F40 sold for $3.8 million, while a 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport brought $2.76 million. Porsche icons, such as the Coca-Cola liveried 911 RSR-17, hit $2.26 million. Prewar highlights included an 1898 Panhard-Levassor setting a new world record at $1.38 million and a 1929 Bentley Speed Six Drophead Coupe at $2.15 million.
A Weekend of Milestones
In total, Gooding Christie’s realized more than $128 million in sales with 27 cars topping the million-dollar mark. The average price per lot rose to $847,262, reflecting strong demand for blue-chip classics and rare performance icons. This year’s results outpaced last year’s by 19%, underscoring Pebble Beach’s position as the heart of the collector car world.
Looking Forward
The success at Pebble Beach demonstrates the resilience of the high-end collector market. Gooding Christie’s will now prepare for the Stan Lucas Collection sale in Long Beach and its return to Paris for Rétromobile in January 2026. But for now, the record-breaking Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione stands as the crown jewel of 2025.
Summary
The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider Competizione not only broke records at Pebble Beach but also reaffirmed Ferrari’s dominance in the collector market. With total sales exceeding $128 million, the weekend highlighted the continued global passion for automotive history.
Disclaimer: Vehicle prices and results mentioned are based on reported Pebble Beach 2025 sales and may not reflect future valuations.
