2009 Ferrari California

This splendid 2009 California is at our Oxfordshire HQ courtesy of a trade specialist who has now entrusted us with a number of the fine vehicles that have come his way.

As part of the gentle recommissioning required to get the car optimised for its return to the road, in April 2026 the vendor commissioned marque specialists Emblem Sportscars of Poole to carry out a full service and address all and any issues that needed attention.. 

But please note that we refer to a recent gearbox issue later in this text.

This is definitely one of the more aesthetically successful of Ferrari’s more recent front-engined offerings, and we think it looks great from every angle, with the roof up or down.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are consistent and even, and the car’s squat, curvaceous, purposeful stance leaves observers in no doubt that this is a car with some serious grunt under the bonnet.

The folding metal roof goes up and down in a mesmerizingly balletic display of choreographed engineering, seamlessly summoning and re-ordering various parts of itself from behind the rear ‘seats’ and who-knows elsewhere.

It does so promptly, accurately and without emitting any excessive creaks, squeaks or grunts.

The paintwork is broadly good but there are few indicators of the car’s 40,800 miles of use here and there.

Some road rash has accumulated in the scoops at the rear of the sills on both sides, and there’s also some paint missing in action on the metal grilles around the rear diffuser feature.

The inside bases of the wheel arches have a good peppering of stone chips in evidence and, to a lesser extent, there are a few stone chips on the ‘nose’ of the car, at the front of the bonnet, and on the headlamp cowls.

The wheels, which are rendered particularly eye-catching by the presence of some unmissable, bright yellow carbon ceramic callipers, are in very decent condition, bar a few minor nicks and scuffs here and there.

All four are wearing Pirelli P-Zero rubber which looks to have a decent amount of life left in it.

All lights, lenses, badging (including the Scuderia enamel shields) and other exterior fixtures and fittings appear to be in fine condition, but there are a couple of 'jewels' missing from the LED lights.

The interior is following the example set by its exterior counterpart in terms of quality, condition and preservation.

The black, diamond-quilted leather upholstery with yellow stitching has held up pretty well, although there are some signs of wear on the outer bolsters of the driver’s seat squab and backrest.

The black hide elsewhere is broadly beyond reproach.

The front seats are comfortable, supportive and, as far as we’re aware, fully functional.

The rear ‘seats’ are really only useful if you are a Panama hat, a bag of shopping or a well-trained Chihuahua.

The door cards are in fine fettle, as are the carpets, mats and the roof lining.

We think the way the car performs and sounds is rendered all the more authentic and tangible by the fact that it is, essentially, an analogue machine, doesn’t have some vast and vulgar touch-screen lap-top bolted to the dashboard, and isn’t in the habit of telling you what to do, how to behave, or when you should clean your teeth.

All of the controls on and around the dashboard, we and the vendor believe, are in good health and do what they’re supposed to do without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

One or two buttons have just started to show early signs of ‘Sticky Button Syndrome’, an affliction that affected a whole generation of cars from Maranello and Modena.

Here, it’s limited to a handful buttons on the heater, AC and lights control panels and is not particularly noticeable.

We’ve been in some Maseratis and Ferraris of a similar vintage where we’ve had to ask colleagues to prise our glued hands away from the centre console.

There are countless well-tried, affordable and proven ways of addressing ‘Sticky Button Syndrome’, and we’re sure you’ll be able to find one that works for you.

The boot, which of course contains elements of the folding roof’s dark mechanical sorcery, is surprisingly capacious and in very good condition. It contains some Ferrari tools, including an air compressor.

In order to better serve the car’s handling and balance requirements the engine sits a long way back in the engine bay and, consequently, a fair bit of it is hidden from view.

What we can see, however, makes for a fine sight.

Bright-red, crackle-finish cam covers, Ferrari branding, and everything looking clean, dry, tidy and in its right and proper place albeit for a bit of oil near the cam cover.

The undersides of the car are largely hidden behind protective trays and cowls, but everything looks reasonably sound, solid and possessed of plenty of structural integrity.  We note the rear brake pads are approaching their wear indicators, the suspension springs have some rust on them.

A recent (July 2026) inspection of the gearbox by DCT Scuderia concluded that the gearbox had some sort of internal failure. The investigation identified the clutch pressure was approximately 1.2 bar where about 15 bar is expected and there was clutch oil in the gearbox casing.  Whatever repair is required, this will need to be addressed by the winning bidder.  Of course, all bidders are invited (encouraged in fact) to come and inspect the car thoroughly before placing their bids.

The car currently starts and run and will allow you to select 1st and reverse gears. Please not the winning bidder of this California will need to arrange a professional transport company to relocate the car for them. 

The car comes with full sets of keys, plenty of receipts, bills and invoices for servicing and other work carried out, and a service book that reveals the following, largely main dealer, service history.

• 23.2.10 – 2,988 miles – JCT6000 (main dealer)
• 28.7.11 – 3,551 miles – Lancaster (main dealer)
• 19.9.12 – 7,501 miles – Lancaster (main dealer)
• 23.8.13 – 12,151 miles – Lancaster (main dealer)
• 15.8.14 – 16,278 miles – Lancaster (main dealer)
• 23.11.15 – 18,495 miles – Lancaster (main dealer)
• 17.11.16 – 21,981 miles – Graypaul (main dealer)
• 14.12.17 – 24,872 miles – Graypaul (main dealer)
• 18.12.18 – 31,426 miles – Graypaul (main dealer)
• 13.1.20 – 35,135 miles – Graypaul (main dealer)
• 26.2.21 – 37,577 miles – Shiltech (marque specialist)
• 14.10.22 – 38,996 miles – Shiltech (marque specialist)
• 28.4.26 – 40,812 miles – Emblem Sportscars (marque specialist)

The last service, which was carried out by Emblem of Poole, also saw plenty of recommissioning work, including (among many other things) new brake pipes and hoses fitted, front and back; both front shocks were stripped down and rebuilt, with the coils replaced; the O/S/R shock absorber bush was replaced; and new lower rose joints were fitted at the rear.

The car comes with a recent, clear HPI report and an MoT certificate – with no advisories whatsoever – that’s valid until 22nd April 2027.

This is a very capable car and one with a good amount of service history.

It has the added bonuses of low mileage and an MoT certificate without so much as a single advisory note.

With the folding metal roof and the added storage afforded by the space behind the front seats, it’s also a surprisingly practical choice of car for someone who wants proper thoroughbred Ferrari thrills and the ability to use it all year round.

We like it a lot.

Of course the gearbox needs repairing, so we are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £25,000 - £30,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.