The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I, one of just 40 examples styled by Pinin Farina, is set to cross the block at The Monterey Auction 2026 with a presale estimate of $4 million to $5 million.
A More Refined Ferrari 250 GT
Ferrari has a long history of producing limited-production cars whose rarity can contribute to their value. This particular 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I is the 18th of only 40 examples produced and was styled by Italian coachbuilder Pinin Farina.
Unlike the 250 GT California Spyder, which emphasized sportiness, the 250 GT Cabriolet Series I was designed around luxury and comfort in an open-top package. Its character is closer to today’s 12Cilindri Spider than to an 849 Testarossa Spider, making it suited to buyers seeking a refined driving experience rather than outright lap-time performance.
Original Specification Remains Intact
Chassis 0809 GT was built in 1958 for the U.S. market and was displayed 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 New York show help document how faithfully the Ferrari has been preserved. Its first owner was a Pennsylvania-based surgeon who took delivery after the exhibition.
The car later passed to a North Carolina furniture manufacturer before being acquired by Texas oilman John W. Mecom Jr., whose racing team competed in series including Formula 1 during the 1960s. It eventually reached its current owners in 1985.
Aside from a repaint in its original color decades ago, the Ferrari remains overwhelmingly original. It retains its numbers-matching chassis, engine, gearbox and rear axle.
V12 Power and Period Details
The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I is powered by a 3.0-liter V12 equipped with three Weber 36 DCL3 carburetors. The combination produces 240 horsepower and gives the car a claimed top speed of 252 km/h (157 mph).
The car also features the “sought-after features” of competition-style covered headlights and “bumperettes,” adding to its period specification.
Limited Public Appearances
During its current ownership, chassis 0809 GT has appeared publicly only twice: at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in 2007 and at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
At Pebble Beach, the Ferrari placed second in the Postwar Preservation class.
Ferrari Heads to Monterey Auction
The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I will cross the block at The Monterey Auction on August 14. Its presale estimate is $4 million to $5 million.
Monterey Car Week runs through August 16 and also includes displays of prestigious cars and several vehicle debuts, including the track-focused Lamborghini Revuelto SV.
