Tuesday 16th September 2014

Ferrari Enzo prototype: You Know You Want To

Looks like a wonky and dog eared 348, actually houses an Enzo V12

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Looking at the images of this car and the familiar-but-wonky proportions, we fully understand if your first instinct is to wonder why we're celebrating one of those MR2 based Ferrari kits that cause periodic amusement in the forums. "The front's pretty convincing," you're thinking, "but what on earth has happened at the back?"

That's quite a dash view!

But you're not. This is, truly, a one-off - the sort of car that we suspect that many senior Ferrari collectors would love to put into their air-conditioned warehouses. Or even - just possibly - to drive. Because this stretched 348 is fitted with the 6.0-litre V12 that later went on to do service in the Ferrari Enzo, being the only prototype from the development programme to have made it into the wild.

And it's definitely a proper mule, complete with some riveted-on bodywork and what looks like a two-part polycarbonate rear window and a properly scuffed-up interior. It was built in 2000, two years before the Enzo went on sale, and has been stretched by 250mm to accommodate the engine. Brakes, transmission and suspension components are from a 355 Challenge racer with the instruments and rear lights looking to have been donated by a 360. Power is quoted at 670hp - 20hp more than the production Enzo - and it's clear the car has been built to be driven hard.

Ah yes, not a 348 then

As Ferrari normally guards its test mules more closely than a teenager protects his internet browsing history, this could well be a genuinely once in a lifetime opportunity. The car previously sold in auction back in 2005, making a relatively modest 195,000 euros and has reportedly changed hands more recently for several multiples of that. The car is now being sold by a dealer in Germany, Modena Motorsport, with the car's rarity reflected in a certain coyness about the exact asking price.

So if you're interested, call them direct. Oh, and be a multi-millionaire.

 

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FERRARI ENZO PROTOTYPE
Price: Lots
Why you should: You want to own the ultimate Ferrari curio
Why you shouldn't: Build quality not quite up to production standards

See the original advert here.

[daytona365]

Wouldn't something like this be awfully fast ?

[Fire99]

Why would I rather have this than an Enzo? We are curious, us folk..

[Chris Stott]

Better looking than an Enzo.

[soad]

Fire99 said:

Why would I rather have this than an Enzo? We are curious, us folk..

Rarity and coolness factor. I suppose you could have one of each.

[PHmember]

daytona365 said:

Wouldn't something like this be awfully fast ?

What on earth makes you think that?

[Justayellowbadge]

Was never supposed to be out and about really.

Ferrari ripped out all the electronics and sold it purely as a display piece.

The buyer had to do a lot of work to get it running.

[mr2j]

I'll take the wheels!

[Baryonyx]

It looks ghastly, but no doubt someone will be willing to fork out for it.

[WCZ]

been for sale for ages, no one wants it at the asking price
I wouldn't go anywhere near it imo

[TheCarMadDad]

Chris Stott said:

Better looking than an Enzo.

Have you been on the pop?!

[ecs0set]

Don't understand I'm afraid. It's a mule with the Enzo engine. It's not even a prototype Enzo.

Can you imagine if Ferrari had finished this thing and simply put it on sale to the public? Only really insane Ferrari nuts would have bought it. If it's a limited edition however, wow the sky is the limit on price.

[Debaser]

Justayellowbadge said:

Was never supposed to be out and about really.

Ferrari ripped out all the electronics and sold it purely as a display piece.

The buyer had to do a lot of work to get it running.

I was wondering about that. Prototypes don't get sold to the public.

[dave_s13]

It doesn't look bad from side on



You'd have to be proper dedicated though....and filthy rich.

[TIGA84]

echoes of this:

[Busso GTA]

Fantastically grotesque , but so much want

[ManOpener]

Needs a big 355 Challenge style wing but I think it's a fantastic looking thing. The 348 is brilliantly proportioned IMO and the stretched rear does it no real disservice.

[Kawasicki]

cool!

[Steamer]

"any alterations or modifications sir?"

[Krikkit]

ManOpener said:

Needs a big 355 Challenge style wing but I think it's a fantastic looking thing. The 348 is brilliantly proportioned IMO and the stretched rear does it no real disservice.

Agree, I think it looks bloody marvellous. 670hp from that V12 probably makes it a good giggle as well.

[EJH]

Is it just me that finds it slightly disappointing that PH news seems to be running 8 days behind Jalopnik / Carscoops:

http://jalopnik.com/the-incredible-ferrari-enzo-pr...
http://www.carscoops.com/2014/09/2000-ferrari-prot...