That would be the first I have ever heard of the 440 being an orignal Californian mold. If you look at a Californian hull they are all the same, even with their younger siblings (Navigators), pretty different than that of the 440 shape.
The 42/440/445 hull is definitely one of the best designs that Carver produced, in fact I am always casually searching for the right freshwater 445 with 450C Cummins. They have everything I love about my 370, stretched out!