THE ULTIMATE 250 GT DROP-TOP The Pininfarina-designed cabriolets built on Ferrari’s 250 GT platform in 1957 were nothing short of magnificent, with elegant dimensions and lines, luxurious interiors, and characteristically sporty mechanical performance.

But the introduction of the Scaglietti-designed California Spider in early 1958 resulted in an unusual dilemma for Ferrari—it was now producing two very similar-looking open-bodied cars.

While the 250 GT Cabriolet was far more luxurious and docile in character than the California Spider, being built with a roadgoing-specification engine on the concurrent grand-touring chassis rather than the spider’s racing chassis, in outward appearance the cabriolet and the spider bore a number of physical similarities.

This resemblance unintentionally blurred Ferrari’s model line, somewhat diluting the individual purpose and character of each car.

Seeking to further differentiate its coachwork from Scaglietti’s spider, Pininfarina designed an upda...