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Photo of a Ferrari California

Ferrari California

The original California: Ferrari's first front V8, with a hardtop that folded in 14 seconds.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 37 sources

Also called

  • CaliRoad-test shorthand for the 2013 California.2
  • Cali TShorthand used in a California T Handling Speciale driving review.3

At a glance

0300600
453–553 hpPower
0510
3.6–4 s0–100 km/h
0175350
310–315 km/hTop speed
0400800
485–755 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,730–1,870 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.35

Layout
Front-mid-engine, rear-wheel drive5
Gearbox
7-speed dual-clutch; early California also offered a 6-speed manual511
Built at
Maranello factory, Italy5
Units built
About 17,300 across all three variants1

The story

Built to lure luxury-convertible buyers, the California paired everyday usability with a folding hardtop. In its first three years, 70% of buyers were new to Ferrari; purists criticized its bulky tail, and a Maserati-origin rumor circulated.14

2008: Paris debut with four Ferrari firsts20082009: 3.9 seconds against the SL63 AMG20092010: Ferrari's first road-car stop-start20102012: California 30 sheds 30 kg20122014: T brings twin turbos and 553 hp · A test driver's claimed 1:28 at Fiorano20142016: Handling Speciale keeps the T's 553 hp · 70 liveries celebrate Ferrari's 70th20162018: Portofino takes over2018 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder: 1957–1963Ferrari 365 California: 1966–1967Ferrari California (F149): 2008–2014F149Ferrari California 30: 2012–2014Ferrari California T (F149M): 2014–2017 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones5131617
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1957–1963Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
1966–1967Ferrari 365 California
2008–2014Ferrari California (F149)
2012–2014Ferrari California 30
2014–2017Ferrari California T (F149M)
2008Paris debut with four Ferrari firsts
20093.9 seconds against the SL63 AMG
2010Ferrari's first road-car stop-start
2012California 30 sheds 30 kg
2014T brings twin turbos and 553 hp
2014A test driver's claimed 1:28 at Fiorano
2016Handling Speciale keeps the T's 553 hp
201670 liveries celebrate Ferrari's 70th
2018Portofino takes over
  1. 2008

    Paris debut with four Ferrari firsts

    The California arrived with Ferrari's first front V8, direct injection, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and retractable metal hardtop.5

  2. 2009

    3.9 seconds against the SL63 AMG

    In Car and Driver's comparison, the California reached 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, just ahead of the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG at 4.0.6

  3. 2010

    Ferrari's first road-car stop-start

    HELE added stop-start to the California, cutting restart time from 700 to 230 milliseconds and CO2 from 299 to 270 g/km.57

  4. 2012

    California 30 sheds 30 kg

    Geneva introduced the 483 hp update and Handling Speciale option: a 2012 model in Europe, but a 2013 model in North America.45

  5. 2014

    T brings twin turbos and 553 hp

    The 3.9 L California T brought 755 Nm, available in full only in seventh gear; claimed performance was 3.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 315 km/h.35

  6. 2014

    A test driver's claimed 1:28 at Fiorano

    Test driver Fabrizio Toschi put the California T's Fiorano capability at 1:28, then said lap time did not matter for this car.8

  7. 2016

    Handling Speciale keeps the T's 553 hp

    California T HS revised damping and traction control, made upshifts 30% faster and downshifts 40% quicker, and added a louder exhaust without more power.359

  8. 2016

    70 liveries celebrate Ferrari's 70th

    California T Tailor Made liveries debuted at Geneva for Ferrari's 2017 anniversary, with commemorative logos and plates naming their inspiration models.510

  9. 2018

    Portofino takes over

    The California family's 2008–2017 production run gave way to the Portofino, which succeeded it in 2018.5

Every generation

  • Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
    Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder1957–1963
  • Ferrari 365 California
    Ferrari 365 California1966–1967
  • Ferrari California
    F1492008–2014
  • Ferrari California 30
    Ferrari California 302012–2014
  • Ferrari California T
    F149M2014–2017

Power over the years

From 453 hp to 553 hp in 6 years.

0200400600 2008201020122014 hp 2008 · 453 hp · California 4.3 V82012 · 483 hp · California 30 (2013 US model year)2014 · 553 hp · California T 3.9 twin-turbo V8 553 hp California T 3.9 twin-turbo V8 453 hp California 4.3 V8
5
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2008453California 4.3 V8
2012483California 30 (2013 US model year)
2014553California T 3.9 twin-turbo V8

Versions

7 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    California

    2008–2012

    453 hp

  • Standard

    California 30

    2012–2014

    483 hp

  • Standard

    California T

    2014–2017

    553 hp

  • Special

    California HELE

    453 hp
  • California 30 Handling Speciale

    Performance

    California 30 Handling Speciale

    2012–2014

    483 hp
  • California T Handling Speciale

    Performance

    California T Handling Speciale

    2016–2017

    553 hp

  • Limited

    California T '70 anni' Tailor Made

    2016–2018

    70 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • A two-piece folding hardtop gives both phases coupe and convertible silhouettes.1214
  • Original California: a tall tail with round taillights set noticeably inboard of the rear fenders.6
  • Original nose: oval headlights and a retro hood scoop.111
  • California T: swept-back headlights, a more assertive grille and two hood vents.14

Year by year

  1. 2012; North America 2013–2014

    California 30 retains the earlier exterior; HS cars can optionally have a silver grille, side vents and hood-scoop mesh.45

  2. 2014 (2015 model year)

    California T gains swept-back lights, a sharper grille and twin hood vents; horizontal exhaust pairs and wider-set taillights visually slim the rear.5814

  3. 2016–2017

    The optional California T Handling Speciale package adds a matte gray grille and diffuser, black exhaust tips and a transmission-tunnel badge.515

Against its rivals

  • Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG (2009)

    California vs Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG (2009)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    California3.9 s
    Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG (2009)4 s
    6

Prices

Value today $70.0K–$125.0K1

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$200K$400K$600K 2010201520202025 Value today: $70,000–$125,000 2009 · $197,350 · US base, California2013 · $201,290 · US base, California 302013 · $208,517 · US 30 HS, incl. $7,227 option2015 · $202,723 · US base, California T2015 · $268,761 · US as tested, California T2016 · $210,843 · US T HS, incl. $8,120 option2017 · $206,473 · US base, California T 2009 · $197,350 · US base, 2009 model year; $22,810 below F430 Spider 2016 · $435,000 · California, manual, Artcurial2025 · $138,000 · 2017 California T Handling Speciale, 14k miles, BaT2025 · $93,000 · 2014 California, 13k miles, BaT2025 · $82,500 · 2013 California, 44k miles, BaT2026 · $138,000 · 2017 California T, 13k miles, over $60k options, BaT2026 · $83,500 · 2010 California, 10k miles, BaT2026 · $121,000 · 2014 California 30 HS, 18k miles, BaT2026 · $106,500 · 2015 California T, 21k miles, BaT2026 · $83,000 · 2012 California, original owner, 14k miles, BaT2026 · $115,000 · 2014 California 30 HS, 15k miles, BaT2026 · $85,000 · 2010 California, 24k miles, BaT $435.0K Artcurial, 2016
456111215252728293031323334353637
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2009Launch price$197,350US base, 2009 model year; $22,810 below F430 Spider
2009Price when new$197,350US base, California
2013Price when new$201,290US base, California 30
2013Price when new$208,517US 30 HS, incl. $7,227 option
2015Price when new$202,723US base, California T
2015Price when new$268,761US as tested, California T
2016Price when new$210,843US T HS, incl. $8,120 option
2017Price when new$206,473US base, California T
2016Auction sale$435,000California, manual, Artcurial
2025Auction sale$138,0002017 California T Handling Speciale, 14k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$93,0002014 California, 13k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$82,5002013 California, 44k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$138,0002017 California T, 13k miles, over $60k options, BaT
2026Auction sale$83,5002010 California, 10k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$121,0002014 California 30 HS, 18k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$106,5002015 California T, 21k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$83,0002012 California, original owner, 14k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$115,0002014 California 30 HS, 15k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$85,0002010 California, 24k miles, BaT
2026Value today$70,000–$125,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 7 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Runner-up in the 2010 Mille Miglia tribute”
    • “Cameron Diaz's yellow California scene”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 37 sources
  1. Grab and Go | Issue 233 | Forza | The Magazine About Ferrari forza-mag.com
  2. 2013 Ferrari California First Drive - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  3. Ferrari California T Handling Speciale review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
  4. 2013 Ferrari California First Drive – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  5. Ferrari California - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. 2009 Ferrari California vs. 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG caranddriver.com
  7. Ferrari California Stop&Start review | evo evo.co.uk
  8. 2015 Ferrari California T First Drive – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  9. Special Forces ferrari.cn
  10. Ferrari California T '70 anni' :: dacorsa.com dacorsa.com
  11. 2015 Ferrari California T Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  12. 2009 Ferrari California First Drive caranddriver.com
  13. Ferrari California: The Ultimate Guide supercars.net
  14. First Drive: 2015 Ferrari California T roadandtrack.com
  15. 2016 Ferrari California T Handling Speciale Review motortrend.com
  16. Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Ferrari 365 California - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  18. » Ken Okuyama blackbird-watchmanual.com
  19. Ferrari California: Schumacher loves it (no kidding)! autoweek.com
  20. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Update Includes Three New Vehicles - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  21. Results :: dacorsa.com dacorsa.com
  22. Ferrari is Okay With Cameron Diaz Having Sex With Their Car in 'The Councellor' gtspirit.com
  23. FERRARI CALIFORNIA T, FUTURISTIC CLASSICISM - Auto&Design autodesignmagazine.com
  24. Forza Horizon 5 Series 7 Update forza.net
  25. A Ferrari California With a Manual Transmission Just Sold for $435,000 roadandtrack.com
  26. Ferrari California Dual-Clutch Transmission Rebuild | Reseda europeanautoreseda.com
  27. 2017 Ferrari California T review: Saving lives and blowing tires autoweek.com
  28. 13k-Mile 2017 Ferrari California T for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $138,000 on July 7, 2026 (Lot #251,283) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 10k-Mile 2010 Ferrari California for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $83,500 on October 14, 2026 (Lot #268,448) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 2014 Ferrari California HS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $121,000 on October 20, 2026 (Lot #269,563) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 21k-Mile 2015 Ferrari California T for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $106,500 on September 23, 2026 (Lot #264,669) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. Original-Owner 2012 Ferrari California for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $83,000 on June 9, 2026 (Lot #246,732) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 15k-Mile 2014 Ferrari California 30 HS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $115,000 on March 26, 2026 (Lot #235,137) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 24k-Mile 2010 Ferrari California for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $85,000 on February 6, 2026 (Lot #229,149) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 14k-Mile 2017 Ferrari California T for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $138,000 on October 24, 2025 (Lot #216,431) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 13k-Mile 2014 Ferrari California for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $93,000 on September 2, 2025 (Lot #208,195) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 2013 Ferrari California for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $82,500 on August 18, 2025 (Lot #205,769) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • forza-mag.com
  • motortrend.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • ferrari.cn
  • dacorsa.com
  • supercars.net
  • roadandtrack.com
  • it.wikipedia.org
  • blackbird-watchmanual.com
  • autoweek.com
  • gran-turismo.com
  • gtspirit.com

Photo credits

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