Jay Leno has driven just about every kind of rare machinery imaginable, but even he seemed impressed by David Lee’s latest acquisition. In a new episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the comedian and collector gets behind the wheel of Lee’s authentic 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, one of the most desirable road-going Ferraris ever built.
The car is a genuine short-wheelbase California Spyder rather than the replica made famous by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Lee says it had been a dream car of his since seeing the movie as a teenager, and this example carries the kind of documentation and provenance that serious Ferrari collectors demand.
Ferrari Classiche certification accompanies the car, along with a Massini report tracing its history. Lee also says the car retains its numbers-matching 3.0-liter Colombo V12 and spent much of its life in California before eventually joining his collection.
What makes the episode especially entertaining is that neither Lee nor Leno treats the Ferrari as a static sculpture. They drop the top, take it out on the road, and spend much of the drive talking about why this particular 250 feels so different from other vintage Ferraris.
A 3.0-Liter V12 That Feels Bigger Than It Is
Under the hood sits Ferrari’s famous naturally aspirated 3.0-liter Colombo V12 fed by triple carburetors. Lee cites output at around 179 horsepower, which sounds modest today but feels considerably more substantial in such a small and light car.
Leno immediately comments on how much larger the engine feels from behind the wheel. The torque, sound, and low mass give the California Spyder a livelier character than its numbers might suggest.
Power is sent through a four-speed manual gearbox, and Leno praises the shifter for its smooth, natural action. He also notes that the car feels quick enough without needing to be driven flat-out, which is part of the appeal of a classic performance car with relatively little insulation between the driver and the machine.
Lee Says It Drives Better Than His Other Classic Ferraris
Lee owns several vintage Ferraris, but he repeatedly says the California Spyder is the best-driving classic road car in his collection. The short wheelbase gives it particularly sharp responses, and both men compare the way it changes direction to a go-kart.
Leno agrees that the steering feels direct and the car slips through lane changes with remarkable ease. That combination of compact dimensions, light weight, manual steering, and a responsive V12 gives the Ferrari a kind of immediacy that modern supercars often struggle to replicate.
The open-top body also adds to the experience. Lee points out that some of his other classic Ferrari coupes can become hot and enclosed, while the California Spyder feels far more relaxed with the roof down on a mild California day.
This Is One Of The Most Coveted Vintage Ferraris
The 250 GT SWB California Spyder was designed by Pininfarina and bodied by Scaglietti, with covered headlights and Borrani wire wheels giving the car its unmistakable appearance. Lee says only 37 examples were built in this exact short-wheelbase configuration.
That rarity helps explain why these cars have become some of the most valuable road-going Ferraris in existence. Their appeal comes from a combination of beauty, scarcity, usability, and direct ties to one of Ferrari’s most celebrated eras.
Leno also reflects on how differently these cars were viewed when they were new. He remembers a time when Ferraris like this could simply be used cars, long before their values rose into the stratosphere.
Leno Still Thinks Cars Like This Should Be Driven
Despite the Ferrari’s immense value, Lee says he plans to drive it regularly. Leno clearly approves, noting that part of the fun is taking rare cars onto public roads where people can actually see and hear them.
That attitude defines much of the episode. The 250 GT California Spyder may now be automotive royalty, but on a sunny road with the top down and its V12 singing, it still behaves like what it was built to be: a lightweight sports car.
What’s your favorite classic Ferrari? Let us know in the comments.