Estimate: US$2,250,000 - US$2,750,000£1,800,000 - £2,200,000
VIN. ZFF70RDT7B0188026 Assembly No. 104587
Assembly No. 104587
5,999cc 48-Valve DOHC V12 Engine
Electronic Fuel Injection
661bhp at 8,250rpm
6-Speed F1 Electrohydraulic Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Carbon Ceramic Disc Brakes
*A stunning one-off creation by Ferrari's Special Projects Department
*Virtually new, with just 121 miles at the time of cataloguing
*Based on the renowned 599 GTO supercar
*Beautifully finished in Rosso Fuoco over a bespoke grey Alcantara interior
*Includes recent service records and original fitted luggage
*Believed to be the sole Special Projects Ferrari offered for public sale
*One in a long and storied line of coachbuilt Ferraris
THE FERRARI SP30
From the earliest days of Ferrari, the Modenese firm openly catered to the individual wishes of its buyers. Ferrari was all too happy to tweak the mechanical specification for their more influential customers, but the task of building a bespoke Ferrari was primarily left to coachbuilders – Pininfarina, Ghia, Bertone, Zagato, Boano and many others creating a vast catalogue of memorable one-off designs (some memorable for the wrong reasons) for buyers. But as the renaissance of Italian coachbuilding in the 1960s was choked out by standardized volume production, unitary construction, and Ferrari's need to rationalize under FIAT control in the 1970s, the potential for a truly bespoke Ferrari faded with it.
Enter the Special Projects Department. In the late 1980s and into the 1990s, members of the Brunei Royal Family were on a veritable buying spree of exotic and ultra-luxury automobiles, with the finances to demand increasingly unique options and equipment. Like Rolls-Royce/Bentley, Ferrari ultimately established a secretive separate department specifically to cater to the Royal Family's wishes. Soon, wishes evolved from unusual colors and options to complete bespoke bodies – sometimes produced in batches, such as the 456, which was made in sedan, cabriolet, and shooting brake form. As demand from the Brunei family faded, Ferrari offered the opportunity to a select few special clients.
One of the first projects was the 612 Kappa, a subtly but extensively reworked 612 Scaglietti commissioned by noted collector Peter Kalikow. Sensing additional opportunity, Ferrari officially announced the "new" Special Projects Department – despite it being essentially in existence for many years. Other cars included the SP12 EC, a Boxer-inspired design produced for Eric Clapton, and the striking P540 Superfast Aperta. These cars were all produced for seasoned collectors intent on keeping these cars in their long-term private care.
The stunning machine offered here, dubbed SP30, is one of the more enigmatic of the Special Project cars. After some early press when launched in 2011, it essentially disappeared from the spotlight with very little coverage from press or marque insiders. The commission initially came from an Indian industrialist based in the United Arab Emirates, but not long after taking delivery, he fell afoul with local officials over a massive financial default, allowing the SP30's seizure. After liquidation, the car came to the USA and is now offered with a US title.
Based on a 599 GTO chassis and drivetrain (a highly desirable car in itself), the SP30 wears completely unique bodywork, with 458 Italia headlamps and 599 taillamps to ensure road homologation. Winglets and aero addenda call to mind the 599 XX, while the dramatically scalloped bonnet clearly influenced the designers of the later F12 TdF. The car also wears unique wheels and is finished off with a gorgeous coat of Rosso Fuoco paint with contrasting black carbon accents.
The SP treatment continues inside, where grey Alcantara covers the 599 GTO-sourced seats, dash, and door cards. Red carbon fiber trim and red accents complement the body, and the lack of carpets hint at the car's serious performance character. Of course, the SP30 has massive performance potential – with 661 bhp on tap from its magnificent V12 engine and a 208-mph top speed. A generous parcel shelf behind the seats can accommodate a pair of overnight bags, as can the boot, which houses fitted soft-sided luggage trimmed to match the cockpit. While it boasts supercar performance, this is, after all, a proper Ferrari GT car.
Records on file show that in 2022 it was serviced by Ferrari Lake Forest in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Work included an engine oil service, accessory belt replacement, and replacement and sealing of the oil/water pump assembly. Showing just 121 miles recorded at the time of cataloguing, it is in box-fresh condition, down to the plastic film on the navigation screen, and is ready for a new custodian to enjoy as they see fit.
The opportunity to acquire a Ferrari Special Projects car is exceptionally rare, and the stunning SP30 is a very special Ferrari, indeed.
