Ferrari California

Blu Tour De France with Nero leather, Grigio Chiaro stitching, Nero carpets. Carbon fibre race seats, Rear bench option. 14,916 miles. Last Serviced November 2025 at Bell Sport & Classic.

When Ferrari debuted the California at the 2008 Paris Motor Show the automotive world did a double-take. This wasn’t a mid-engine V8 supercar or a V12 grand tourer, it was a front-engined V8 convertible grand tourer complete with a folding aluminium hardtop, dual-clutch gearbox (all firsts for the marque) and with a greater emphasis on everyday usability than most Ferraris before it. It was a bold and deliberate move to broaden Ferrari’s appeal. The California’s broad set of skills and usability attracted buyers from rivals like the Mercedes-Benz SL, Aston Martin DB9 Volante, or BMW 6 Series. In doing so, Ferrari effectively expanded its market without diluting its brand.

Today the California is regarded as genuinely accessible Ferrari with real character . Values have stabilised, and well-preserved, low-mileage examples are drawing attention from collectors who appreciate its unique blend of GT refinement and classic Ferrari sound and performance.

Behind the wheel, the California remains an engaging and surprisingly rewarding drive. The high revving 453 bhp naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8 is good for over 190 mph and delivers a rich, organic soundtrack that’s increasingly rare in modern performance cars. The dual-clutch gearbox shifts with urgency whether you’re hustling along a backroad or cruising in traffic and the chassis is beautifully balanced and lean enough to feel thrilling, yet compliant enough to make long journeys genuinely enjoyable.

When you drop the hardtop and let the engine sing, the California’s character comes alive: it feels like a car that was designed for real roads, sweeping vistas, and spirited drives rather than shaving hundredths from lap times. In this rare spec, it strikes a compelling balance between everyday usability and the sort of emotional engagement that makes driving a true Ferrari so addictive.

Examples like this in Blu Tour de France with the rare lightweight carbon sports seats and rear bench (not the 2+2 jump seats) are among the most desirable. The colour itself is regarded as one of Ferrari’s most evocative and collectible non-red colours - a deep, rich navy blue that carries genuine motorsport heritage and enhances the California’s long-bonnet proportions. Combine that with the more aggressive, lightweight seats and the practicality of a genuine three-seat rear bench (which is exceptionally rare on these cars), you end up with a California that feels special both visually and in the way it lives with you day-to-day.

Collectors and discerning owners increasingly prize combinations that depart from the “standard” spec, and this particular configuration ticks every box for exclusivity, functionality, and aesthetic balance.