Ferrari 599 SA Aperta & Ferrrari 599 GTO - The Sole Matching Pair [DK1330]

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. Production was limited to just 599 cars and was reserved for only Ferraris VIP clients and all allocations were oversubscribed and sold out immediately.  

Then came the 599 SA Aperta, utilising the 599 GTO's chassis and drivetrain upgrades as a basis over a standard 599, Ferrari employed a softer suspension setup for the Aperta. Although some visual options were available from the GTO, including bumpers, diffuser and bonnet, Ferrari's engineers also took time to adjust the suspension and exhaust on the SA Aperta. As such from the factory, the SA Aperta was a much tamer prospect. Whilst the SA Aperta was intended as a roadster, it very much comes equipped to deal with the British climate. As standard, the car came equipped with a fabric roof, easily attached to the car  This roof is easily removed and stored inside the spacious boot. This car also benefits from the rare and additional (and extremely expensive) carbon roof panel which can also be stowed in the boot.

This matching pair of cars are offered for sale today and have always remained as a pair since new. The GTO  was optioned from new in Extra-campionario triple-layer Rosso F1 2007, the same warm, multi-layer red paint to clothe the Ferrari Formula 1 cars of the namesake year, in which they celebrated their win of the Constructors World Championship. Over the years, Ferrari have developed several variations of their racing red to improve the visibility of the cars on television broadcastings. Two years later, the same customer ordered a 599 SA Aperta, one of quoted production run of just 80 cars and one of the rarest series production modern Ferraris. Both cars were stored with the supplying dealer, Meridien Modena, before being purchased by the second owner.

Owing to the second owner's connections in the automotive world, he managed to put into practice a unique idea. At this time, both cars were returned to Maranello and specifically Carrozzeria Zanasi. Based in Maranello, down the road from the factory, they are the factory’s sole authorised bodyshop and carry out bespoke liveries and complex paintwork for Ferrari – both for brand new tailor-made or special order cars and old. The relationship between Ferrari and Carrozzeria Zanasi was forged in 1964 when Enzo was looking for a separate company to work on restoring his cars. Since then, Zanasi has been responsible for wholly painting limited production cars such as the Enzo to Corse Clienti racecars through the XX program. 

With both the 599 GTO and the SA Aperta side by side and with delivery mileage still, works were carried out to match the specification of the cars completely. The GTO remained as delivered, the SA Aperta was fully upgraded to GTO specification including full exhaust, brakes, exposed carbon fibre GTO side skirts, GTO front bumper with GTO grilles, rear bumper and diffuser. The headlight buckets are finished in carbon fibre, upgraded from the standard light cluster the SA Aperta traditionally shares with the standard 599 GTB. The optional carbon fibre roof panel was painted, along with the windscreen surround and buttresses in Grigio Silverstone Opaco as per the 599 GTO.

The interior of both cars now identical. Both see charcoal Alcantara seats with Nero Tessuto inserts, contrasting Bianco stitching with Bianco embroidered Cavallinos. The Alcantara extends to the rest of the cabin, ensuring both offer a very special place to be. Both cars feature A-pillars, lower dashboard, central transmission tunnel and door inserts in Charcoal Alcantara. The visual carbon fibre on both cars, inside and out, is elegantly satin finished. The prominent central rev counters are both finished in Bianco. All original bodywork items removed and upgraded on the SA Aperta remain with the car should the next owner desire a return to standard specification.

As a result not only was the 599 SA “GTO” born (a car in a specification many argue should have been produced), but today represents a unique opportunity to acquire a matching set of the ultimate 599 experience, in both coupe and roadster forms. The GTO has covered 2,650 miles and the SA Aperta, just 180 miles from new. These stunning matching, UK supplied examples are available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.

Please refer to our main website for full details, more pictures, our terms of sale and accurate pricing as some websites may use out of date currency exchange rates: https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/1330/blue_chip_competition_cars/ferrari_599_sa_aperta_599_gto.html