Coburn's interest in fast cars began with his father's garage business and continued throughout his life, as he exported rare cars to Japan.
Coburn was credited with having introduced Steve McQueen to Ferraris, and in the early 1960s owned a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso and a Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California SWB.
His Spyder was the thirteenth of just fifty-six built.
Coburn imported the pre-owned car in 1964, shortly after completing The Great Escape.

Cal Spyder #2377 was repainted several times during Coburn's ownership; it has been black, silver and possibly burgundy.
He kept the car at his Beverly Hills-area home, where it was often serviced by Max Balchowsky, who also worked on the suspension and frame modifications on the Mustang GTs used in the filming of McQueen's Bullitt.
Coburn sold the Spyder in 1987 after twenty-four years of ownership.
The car was restored, had several owners and was sold in 2008 for $10,894,400 to English broadcaster Chris Evans, then setting a new world record for the highest price ever paid for an automobile at auction.

Over time he also owned a Ferrari Daytona, at least one Ferrari 308 and a 1967 Ferrari 412P sports racer.
From 1998 until his death, Coburn did the voiceovers for Chevrolet's Like a Rock commercials.
Coburn's interest in fast cars began with his father's garage business and continued throughout his life, as he exported rare cars to Japan. Coburn was credited with having introduced Steve McQueen to Ferraris, and in the early 1960s owned a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso and a Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California SWB. His Spyder was the thirteenth of just fifty-six built. Coburn imported the pre-owned car in 1964, shortly after completing The Great Escape. 
Cal Spyder #2377 was repainted several times during Coburn's ownership; it has been black, silver and possibly burgundy. He kept the car at his Beverly Hills-area home, where it was often serviced by Max Balchowsky, who also worked on the suspension and frame modifications on the Mustang GTs used in the filming of McQueen's Bullitt. Coburn sold the Spyder in 1987 after twenty-four years of ownership. The car was restored, had several owners and was sold in 2008 for $10,894,400 to English broadcaster Chris Evans, then setting a new world record for the highest price ever paid for an automobile at auction.
Over time he also owned a Ferrari Daytona, at least one Ferrari 308 and a 1967 Ferrari 412P sports racer. From 1998 until his death, Coburn did the voiceovers for Chevrolet's Like a Rock commercials.
James Coburn