The recently merged Gooding Christie’s auction house is off to a strong start, announcing that it will offer 2383 GT, one of only two alloy-bodied, full-competition-spec Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyders, at its Pebble Beach sale on August 15-16, 2025 during California’s Monterey Car Week.
Significantly, the rare Competizione Ferrari is expected to fetch more than $20 million – potentially becoming the most valuable lot the former Gooding & Co has ever sold at Pebble Beach. The current record stands at $22m, set by a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ in 2018.
“This year’s sale features three spectacular, distinctive California Spyders – led by 2383 GT, which is among the most valuable cars we have ever presented for live auction,” said Gooding Christie’s president, David Gooding. “Its significance as one of only two alloy-bodied, competition SWB California Spyders cannot be emphasised enough.”
Chassis 2383 GT rolled out of Maranello in 1961 and was delivered new to gentleman racer Ernst Lautenschlager. The German campaigned the car in hillclimbs and circuit races across Austria and Germany, including the 1962 Solitude GT race in Stuttgart – his final outing – where he finished fourth in class.
The Ferrari then passed through a handful of owners in Germany and Switzerland, before being exported to the US in 1968, when it was acquired by renowned marque collector Lee Wilson of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Wilson’s ownership tenure saw 2853 GT displayed at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum and showcased at various FCA events.
Fast-forward to the mid-1980s, and the 250 GT SWB California Spyder passed into the ownership of American television producer and Ferrari collector Greg Garrison. He kept the car largely out of public view, except for its appearance at the 1994 FCA International Concours in Monterey.
The consignor acquired 2853 GT from Garrison in 1999, and commissioned a full restoration by renowned specialist Dino Cognolato. As part of the process, the aluminium Scaglietti bodywork was resprayed from its original Grigio Argento to Grigio Fumo.
Complementing the new finish are tan leather upholstery, covered headlights, a rare removable hard-top, and a motor sport-style quick-release fuel filler. Under the bonnet sits a competition-spec Ferrari tipo 168 Colombo V12 engine with a 9.5:1 compression ratio – the highest recorded for any SWB California Spyder – producing approximately 280bhp.
Fresh from restoration, 2383 GT returned to Stuttgart in 2001 with the consignor. There it was reunited with Ernst Lautenschlager, who watched it take part in the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge. Since then, the car has been showcased at major international events including the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Salon Privé, Le Mans Classic, Concours of Elegance and Le Mans Classic.
Before this year, 2383 GT has never previously appeared at any Monterey Car Week events, and it has not been offered for public sale since the mid-1960s. Gooding Christie’s says the car is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for discerning collectors.
Read our full Pebble Beach sale preview here.
