The Refined Side of the 250 GT
Ferrari has a long history of producing exquisite vehicles in limited numbers, giving them the rarity and scarcity that can help drive up their value. This 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I is no exception, having been the 18th of only 40 examples produced and styled by Italian coachbuilder Pinin Farina.
Unlike the 250 GT California Spyder, which prioritized sportiness, the 250 GT Cabriolet Series I offered luxury and comfort in an open-top package. This grand tourer is more like today’s 12Cilindri Spider than, say, an 849 Testarossa Spider – ideal for those who prefer a refined driving experience over chasing lap times. It is currently listed by RM Sotheby’s for The Monterey Auction 2026.
The Original Specification Still Shows
The car in question, chassis 0809 GT, was originally destined for the U.S. market. Built in 1958, this particular example was showcased at the 1958 New York International Automobile Show by Luigi Chinetti Motors, the Prancing Horse brand’s New York City-based distributor. Period photographs from the show help demonstrate how faithfully it has been preserved over the years.
The first owner was a Pennsylvania-based surgeon who took delivery after the New York show. The Ferrari later passed to a North Carolina furniture manufacturer and then to Texas oilman John W. Mecom Jr., whose racing team competed in series including Formula 1 during the 1960s. The car eventually ended up with its current owners in 1985. Aside from a repaint in its original color decades ago, it remains overwhelmingly original, retaining its numbers-matching chassis, engine, gearbox, and rear axle.
Powering the vehicle is a 3.0-liter V12 fed by three Weber 36 DCL3 carburetors. The setup produces 240 horsepower and allows the car to reach a claimed top speed of 252 km/h (157 mph). The car is also equipped with the “sought-after features” of competition-style covered headlights and “bumperettes.”
A Fifth Owner Is Coming
Under its current ownership, chassis 0809 GT has made only two public appearances: at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in 2007 and at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it placed second in the Postwar Preservation class.
This 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I is set to cross the block at The Monterey Auction on August 14 with a presale estimate of $4 million to $5 million. For those not looking to spend that much, the broader Monterey Car Week – which runs through August 16 – also features displays of prestigious cars and several vehicle debuts, including the track-focused Lamborghini Revuelto SV.
