Introduced in 2006 as a replacement for the 575M, the 599 GTB Fiorano was the most powerful production Ferrari of its day, using an evolution of the F140B engine used in the Enzo supercar. The F140C unit had 620bhp – enough to take the 599 from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds.
Brutally fast it may be, but the 599 is nevertheless still a proper Grand Tourer – comfortable, grown-up, refined and surprisingly practical. It has supercar performance coupled with GT practicality, which makes it an extremely likeable proposition in every respect.
This one was registered in 2007 and has been part of a private collection, seeing regular use as daily transport. Unlike many 599s, it’s seen some action, covering over 91,500 miles, though since 2018 it has been in dry storage, started and maintained regularly and kept in a dehumidified outbuilding as part of the vendor’s extensive car collection.
It’s equipped with the ‘F1 Superfast’ semi-automated transmission, allowing a shift time of 100 milliseconds between gears, and is sold in running order with no known mechanical issues.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C in name of the vendor
Three previous owners
Will require MOT
Service history misplaced
Previously supplied by renowned Ferrari specialist Joe Macari
THE INTERIOR
Light beige leather seats
Hand-stitched black detailing
Multifunction steering wheel with ride and performance settings
Dual screen display with road, performance and track options
It’s surprisingly spacious inside the 599 with room for even the largest or tallest of drivers to get comfortable. Once inside, it’s a real spectacle, from the F1-inspired steering wheel to the high-tech switchgear. The engine is started by a button on the steering wheel, the gears operated by flappy paddles, and there are separate display screens with multi-adjustable functions. It’s essentially a bit of a toy shop in there, but if you like your gadgets, you’ll love it.
The dash and seats are trimmed in pale beige leather with black stitching with some wear to the driver’s seat bolster, while some of the switches and buttons are slightly delaminated, but all work as intended, while the car’s various drive modes are controlled by a toggle switch on the steering wheel.
There’s a factory-installed Becker sat nav system and the original Ferrari tool kit is still present under the boot floor.
THE EXTERIOR
Nero Daytona metallic
Good overall condition with minor marks
20-inch diamond-forged alloys
No dents or accident damage
Finished in Ferrari Nero Daytona, a lovely metallic black with hints of gold, the 599 really looks the part. It’s in straight overall order but having seen quite a lot of use over its 16-year life, there are one or two areas that will benefit from some rectification.
For example, there’s some bubbling where the alloy rear buttresses meet the body on both sides, there’s a scuff that has gone through the paint below the passenger side headlamp There are also light stone chips on the bonnet and ahead of the rear air intakes, and on both mirrors. It still looks very smart overall, though, and the 20-inch diamond cut alloys are in good order.
THE MECHANICS
620bhp, 6.0-litre V12
Road, Sport and Race modes
Paddle-shift six-speed ‘F1’ gearbox
Exhilarating performance and amazing soundtrack
Recently benefitted from an oil and oil filter change, air filter change and a new mass air flow sensor
Press the F1-style starter button on the steering wheel and you’re met by a smooth, free-revving but equally sonorous exhaust note – there’s something intoxicating about a V12 Ferrari and the soundtrack this car offers is part of that immersive, spine-tingling experience.
The copious power is fed to the rear wheels via Ferrari’s six-speed semi-automatic ‘F1’ transmission, which operates with lightning precision, whilst carbon ceramic Brembo brakes keep the rampant horsepower in check, with amazingly direct steering and tenacious levels of grip.
According to the on-board diagnostic system the car is currently due a service, but it starts on the button and idles smoothly, with no known mechanical issues.
SUMMARY
The 599 GTB is a car that comfortably bridges the gap between supercar and GT. Comfortable enough to use regularly (as the previous owner of this one clearly has done) but ruinously fast if needed to be. It’s regarded by many as Italy’s Aston Martin – beautiful and soul-stirring, yet practical and comfortable.
This one isn’t perfect – there are a few flaws for the next owner to sort out to bring it back to A1 condition, or alternatively it’s perfect for the daily use it has been accustomed to in its previous life, as a smart and good-looking Ferrari GT that doesn’t need to be treated with cotton wool.
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