Ferrari 575 MM (2001)

Having been launched back in 1996, the years that elapsed until 2002 allowed manufacturers like Aston Martin to close on Ferrari's 550. However, although it was still a superior car to Aston's all new Vanquish, Ferrari upped the stakes with their revamped 575M. A sharper, faster and lighter GT, set up wise, the 575 features an advanced electronic adaptive damper control system that instantly configures itself according to road conditions. Weight was reduced to 1730kg and special attention was paid to improving the brakes with bigger Brembo cross-drilled and ventilated discs. Redesigned lightweight wheels improved brake cooling along with supplementary ducts carved out from each corner of the front bumper. Otherwise, the 550's shape had been subtly tweaked here and there, but more wholesale changes were made to the cabin including an all new dash, instrument binnacle, door panels and seats.

575's boast an impressive 203mph top speed, 4mph up on the outgoing 550, which made them Ferrari's first front-engined production cars capable of exceeding 200mph - acceleration takes just 4.25 seconds to sprint to 60mph. Another benefit of the 575 is the superior build quality over a 550 coming as result of a number of successive F1 world championships. As a result this is reflected throughout the car and truly appreciated when looking at drastically reduced servicing costs in comparison to a 550. Not only did the 575M prove to be a worthy successor to the 550, but it also ended up being another excellent addition to the fabled family of grand touring cars. As these cars are capable of topping 200 mph, they are still very quick by modern standards and reliable enough to be driven on a daily basis, making them one of the best Ferraris of the Montezemolo era.

This spectacular 575 is the earlier of just two "Pre-Production" examples (the other one was sold by DK in 2014). It is believed that this is the first 575, the launch car, used on the Motorshow stand and in the press shots. The car's chassis number is 123761 and this is the earliest known recorded on any 575. Following the completion of its services as an official car it was totally rebuilt by the factory and then supplied as a "new" car to its first private owner directly by the factory and was finished in Rosso Corsa over a beige leather interior with Castoro carpets as well as the highly desirable and very rare Carbon Bucket Sports seats. The car was equipped with the F1 Gearbox making this the very first V12 Ferrari ever produced with this feature. The odometer shows a total of less than 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles) and fittingly this example is presented in truly outstanding condition and supplied with a recent major cambelt service. A significant and important 575, presented with its original factory supplied books and ready to be used and enjoyed immediately.