Beschreibung
This is lot number 135 in the Bonhams Bonmont Auction on June 30th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• One of only 599 built
• One of less than 20 believed produced in shade of Silver
• Delivered new to France with European specification
• Under 10, 100 kilometres from new
• All books and tools
• Ferrari service history
• Swiss registration document
"The 599 GTO is one of the absolute finest track cars ever made. That it delivers some tactile qualities on the road – plus it's very habitable, make it a supreme all-rounder.
"What is also evident is the GTO pulls as hard in fifth as a 911 does in third." – Autocar.
Announced in April 2010, the 599 GTO was only the third Ferrari to carry the evocative 'Gran Turismo Omologato' designation, the others being the legendary 250 GTO and 288 GTO. The 599 GTO was a development of the original 599 GTB Fiorano that had been introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006. Its immediate predecessor - the 575 Maranello - had met with a mixed reception, disappointing those that had so admired the 550 Maranello, so Ferrari had some catching up to do in designing the 599.
Having favoured the mid-engined layout for its 12-cylinder road cars from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s, Ferrari surprised everyone by introducing the 550 Maranello. The latter's arrival in 1997 saw the Italian manufacturer return to its tradition of building front-engined V12 two-seater sports cars, resurrecting a line that had remained dormant since the demise of the 365 GTB/ 4 'Daytona' in 1974.
In designing the 599, Ferrari abandoned the tubular steel chassis of the 550/ 575, adopting a more advanced and lighter all-aluminium chassis of greatly increased stiffness. Styled by Pininfarina under the direction of Ferrari's Frank Stephenson, the 599 with its long bonnet, small cabin, raised haunches and aggressive stance seemed the very definition of the term 'sports car'. The body's aerodynamics were developed in the wind tunnel, where hours of testing ensured that the minimum of drag was combined with constant downforce regardless of set up, an important consideration in a 200mph road car. Styling details such as the front brake ducts and hot air outlets behind the front wheelarches recalled the great competizione Ferraris of the past while the tail incorporated Ferrari's characteristic twin circular lights.
The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and the 599's 48-valve, 6. 0-litre V12 was a reworked version of that found in the Enzo supercar. As installed in the 599, this state-of-the-art unit produced a staggering 612bhp at 7, 600rpm with maximum torque of 448lb/ ft at 5, 600 revs. Weighing a claimed 1, 690kg, the 599 has a power-to-weight ratio of 362bhp per tonne, far eclipsing the 291bhp/ tonne of its 575 Maranello predecessor. Developed as part of Ferrari's Formula 1 programme, the paddle shift gearbox had become a feature of its range-topping sports cars and was available in its latest form for the 599, capable of changing gear in a mere 100 milliseconds. A conventional six-speed gearbox was available also.
Although active suspension had long been banned form Formula 1, its development for road cars had continued and the 599 came equipped with SCM magnetorheological 'semi-active' dampers. The latter's damping fluid changes in viscosity almost instantaneously when a magnetic field is applied, thereby altering the suspension characteristics. Damper controls were placed on the Formula 1-style steering wheel together with those for traction control and stability, as was the starter button. The 599's fortunate driver would find him/ herself looking at a central analogue rev counter flanked by a similar speedometer and an electronic display screen for all other functions. Ferrari thoughtfully provided plentiful storage space within the sumptuous leather-trimmed interior.
In line with Ferrari's current practice, a succession of limited edition variants followed. A road-going version of the track-only 599 XX, the 599 GTO came with 671bhp on tap and weighed almost 100kg less than the standard 599 GTB, a combination that delivered a 0-100km/ h time of less than 3. 3 seconds and a top speed in excess of 335km/ h (208mph). The 599 GTO was the fastest road-going Ferrari at the time of its introduction, proving capable of lapping the Italian firm's Fiorano test track almost a second quicker than the mid-engined Enzo.
The increase in engine output - some 59 horsepower more than the 599 GTB - had been achieved in part by reducing the engine's internal friction, plus an increase in compression ratio and redesigned intake and exhaust arrangements. Despite this, the GTO was still able to meet Euro 5 emissions standards and, unlike the 599 XX, could be looked after by any Ferrari dealer.
The transmission too had come in for revision, shifting more quickly than that of the GTB, while second-generation magnetorheological dampers and the latest traction control system all made for quicker lap times, as did the reduction in weight. Contributing to the latter was a hydro-formed exhaust manifold, thinner windows, an aluminium boot lid, and forged alloy wheels; while inside the cabin, carpeting was replaced by rubber mats and carbon fibre seats installed. Carbon ceramic disc brakes were employed all round, gripped for the first time by carbon pads. GTO production was limited to only 599 cars, which were reserved exclusively for Ferrari's most favoured customers. It is important to mention that 599 GTO ownership has become the gateway to owing a new Ferrari supercar; if you want one of the latest Ferraris then owning a 599 GTO is the way to get one.
Representing a rare opportunity to acquire a little used example of this coveted limited edition Ferrari, chassis number '178310' was delivered new in France via Modena Motors of Sausheim on 4th January 2011 to its first French owner. It is believed to be the only example finished in Grigio Titanio (Titanium Grey), and has a Nero Opaco (Matt Black) interior. The Ferrari was then registered in the UK (as 'X999 GTO'), and now in Switzerland, passing to our vendor in 2021 who already owned a 599 GTO supplied in RHD as a new car by the factory.
It is presented in great condition, having covered under 10, 100 kilometres since it left the Maranello factory. The last service was carried out by Ferrari für Basel Aargau und Soloththurn, Switzerland on 14th March 2023 at 9, 640 kilometres. The original dealer-stamped service booklet also records the following previous services:
20. 01. 2012 at 3, 028 kilometres
7. 4. 2014 at 7, 026 kilometres
8. 10. 2015 at 8, 393 kilometres
26. 6. 2017 at 8, 517 kilometres
15. 10. 2018 at 9, 084 kilometres
26. 4. 2021 at 9, 162 kilometres
The car also comes with the following: Ferrari Classiche 'Red Book'; Massini Report; All instruction manuals in their original GTO pouch; Tool kit; Tracker documentation; Two keys; Current Swiss registration document.
Ferrari pulled off a rare trick with the 599 GTO, creating a truly versatile car that is as exciting on the racetrack as it is civilised on the road. There can be little doubt that this modern icon will be a collectible future classic, and few would disagree with Autocar's conclusion: "This is a genuine landmark car for Ferrari... a bona fide addition to the GTO family, make no mistake."
