Ferrari 599 GTO (2011)

The name, “GTO” (Gran Turismo Omologata) instantly calls to mind two Ferraris that have entered the collective imagination as symbols of performance. After the 1962 250 GTO, which swept the boards in GT racing categories in the 1960s and is now a highly prized collector's car, came the iconic 1984 288 GTO, which pretty much invented the entire modern supercar genre. The 599 GTO is the most recent GTO. Ferrari has only given this name to 3 cars and each GTO was based on a circuit car - the 599 GTO was based on the 599 GTB Fiorano chassis but is essentially the road-going version of the 599XX track car.

The 599 GTO weighs 100 kg less than the standard GTB by a severe diet in a similar manner to other recent Ferrari lightweight models such as the 430 Scuderia. The 599 GTO is visually aggressive thanks to styling elements derived from the 599XX - but it's not all for show. Thanks to concepts transferred from the track car to the road-going version, the GTO generates downforce of 144 kg at 200 km/h. The entire car has received design revisions over the standard GTB including the front, the sides, the flat underbody and the cooling flows. In the latter instance, the GTO can count on improved ducting to the brake discs and pads, and the adoption of wheel doughnuts – a disc positioned outside the brake disc that ensures that hot air exiting the wheel arch stays as close to the body of the car as possible to reduce drag; again a feature borrowed straight from the FXX.

When produced in 2011 Ferrari announced that the 599 GTO was their fastest road car ever, able to lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute 24 seconds, one second faster than the Ferrari Enzo. Its engine produces a staggering 661 bhp at 8250 rpm, with 460 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm. The 599 GTO can sprint to 62 mph in under 3.35 seconds whilst easily reaching a top speed of over 208 mph.

This particular example was ordered new by a prominent U.K. based collector who took great care and attention in selecting the options and specifications for his new 599 GTO. Nearly £48,000 of options were fitted to this car, many of which were special order. Finished in Rosso F1 2007, the roof is painted Nero Setoso, a colour which was painstakingly selected to best complete the black A-pillar surround and the glass. The wheels are a unique finish to the car and were achieved by firing silver over black-painted wheels. In addition to this, the car is outfitted with aluminium-coloured brake callipers, carbon fibre headlight buckets, wheels centres, and external carbon sills, front and rear parking sensors, and the heat insulated windscreen. The interior is trimmed in Nero Alcantara and red stitching, along with matching red four-point harnesses, a roll bar, the Bose hifi system, carbon fibre rear shelf, a fire extinguisher, inner door sill in carbon, iPod connector, satellite navigation and Bluetooth, the telemetry package, and a further £22,000 of special order options. Finally, a set of fitted luggage was ordered to match, and each of the four pieces of luggage remain in their protective bags.

Delivered to its first owner in June of 2011, he owned the 599 GTO for the following six years, driving it roughly 4,900 miles during his ownership. As one would expect given the car’s fastidious and detailed specification, it was serviced annually by Meridien Modena every year of his ownership. In 2017, the GTO was sold to a friend of the original owner who covered about 200 miles over three years, before the car was sold to its current custodian in May of last year via DK Engineering.

Still with its third owner from new, the car has covered less than 5,100 miles from new and was last serviced by DK Engineering in May of last year, just before being delivered to the current owner, and has accrued minimal mileage since. This is truly a beautiful 599 GTO in all regards, and its thoughtful specification shines through in every aspect. It would stand proud in any collection of Ferraris.