2012 Ferrari California 30

Introduced at the Paris Salon in 2008, the Ferrari California had been conceived as a ‘Grand Tourer’ rather than an out-and-out sports car, and was intended to appeal to those who might otherwise opt for a Bentley, an Aston Martin or an SL-Class Mercedes-Benz. It was quite a radical move for the marque pioneering Maranello’s first front-mounted V8 engine, two-piece folding metal roof, dual clutch 7-speed transmission, direct fuel injection and multi-link rear suspension. Styled by Pininfarina and subject to over 1,000 hours of wind tunnel testing, the new car utilised aluminium for both its chassis and bodywork construction. Related to that in the F430, its 4,297cc 'quad cam', 32-valve V8 developed some 453bhp and 358lb/ft of torque and was allied to the aforementioned dual clutch 7-speed transmission as standard. Despite being one of the least expensive models in the range, the California boasted carbon-ceramic disc brakes and the traction control system from the marque's flagship 599 and, a ‘grand tourer’ it might have been, but 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and 193mph were firmly in ‘junior supercar’ territory. Less demanding to drive than its siblings and therefore more approachable during everyday, 'real world' motoring, the notional 2+2-seater more than fulfilled its brief of attracting a whole new generation of customers to the Ferrari fold.

The first real development of the California appeared in 2012 with the arrival of the 'California 30', with 30bhp more and weighing 30kg less. The GDI V8 now delivered 490bhp with maximum torque of 505Nm @ 5,000rpm thanks to new exhaust manifolds and engine mapping and, a bit of a diet at the Scaglietti Centre of Excellence, resulted in an overall reduction of 30kg in the car’s weight without impinging in any way on its structural rigidity and performance.

On offer from its fourth registered keeper, this impressively specified right-hand drive California 30 was supplied new by Dick Lovett Ferrari in Swindon and first registered on 30th October 2012.  It has covered just 19,980 miles from new and is supported by a comprehensive Ferrari Main dealer service history showing seven stamps in the Service Record with the most recent being at Dick Lovett Ferrari on 7th November 2022 @ 19,809 miles at a cost of £1,060.42.

It's delightfully presented in Azzuro California 524, a special order colour chosen from the Ferrari Historical Colour Collection, with a stunning interior in Crema hide (3997) and Nero carpets. Bright yellow calipers peep out from behind  20'' Diamond-finish Sport wheels and the ticked option list includes carbon fibre driver zone and LEDS, central tunnel in leather, armrest on tunnel in leather, A-pillars in leather, yellow rev counter, electric seats, 'Scuderia Ferrari' wing shields. Magneride dual-mode suspension, Int/Ext Electrochromic mirrors, Navtrak anti-theft system, parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, standard stitching and tyre-pressure measurement. 

The California offers you the best of both worlds, with decent real-world performance, luxury, and a fantastic V8 soundtrack whilst also providing great levels of practicality and usability with its four-seat layout and folding hardtop. This is a lovely example with a fabulous spec and finished in special order California Blue, making it one of the best-looking Californias on the market today.