Tuesday 14th January 2014

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: Spotted

Clickety-clack, it's a rare manual version of Ferrari's last great V12 grand tourer

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Time has been kind to the 612 Scaglietti. If you thought it wore the expression of a simpleton up front and had a featureless rear end, as I did when I first saw it a decade ago, do reserve judgement until you see - and hear - a dark grey one slipping through town. In a subtle hue against an urban backdrop the 612 looks superb. It's restrained and understated in a way that nothing in the current line-up could even comprehend. Those four stubby exhausts also leave behind just enough hollow, inertia-free V12 bark to hint at the big mill up front without drawing too much attention.

It's a modern Ferrari cabin with a classic touch

Of course, some of that subtlety is lost in Rosso Corsa, but this car is distinguished by being the only proper manual in the PH classifieds; all the others swap cogs via the F1 paddle shift semi-automatic. There's nothing desperately wrong with that gearbox, particularly once the driver has learnt to smooth out the automated shifts, but there remains something timelessly cool about a manual, V12 Ferrari with four seats.

The 612 was Ferrari's second aluminium-bodied car after the 360, but given its size - the marque's biggest ever at the time - it still tipped the scales at close to 1,900kg. Still, that 5.7-litre engine was good for 540hp, enough to shuffle the 612 up to 62mph in 4.3 seconds and on to 200mph (with a gentle gradient). True to the badge on its rump it was genuinely exciting to drive on the right road, but this was a Ferrari built for the long haul. Refinement and comfort levels made this a consummate GT, and with decent rear legroom a few mates could even come along for the ride.

The cabin still looks remarkably fresh and modern for a 10-year-old design and that open gearbox gate is just delicious. Can't you just hear the polished lever clicking and clacking through it? Anybody who is more accustomed to the very latest infotainment systems will find the 612's to be from a forgotten era, although given the exhaust note you needn't bother with the stereo.

A big old bus but one that's maturing nicely

At £64,990 this car has shed two thirds of its original value in nine years, but with higher-mileage cars available for a little under £50,000 this one does still have some way to fall. Its predecessor, the similarly inconspicuous 456, seems to have levelled off at around £35,000, so perhaps the 612 will eventually reach a lower plateau around the £40,000 mark.

With just 17,000 miles on the clock it's averaged a scant 160 miles each month, so the new owner needn't be terribly concerned about over-using it. The flipside is that these cars can suffer from under-use, with potentially costly issues arising as a result of sitting idle for great lengths of time.

The man Harris owned a 612 a few years ago and he still talks about it with misty eyes. "More rear space than an Aston Rapide," he says via text message from Detroit. "Amazing stability at high speed, looks cool as f*** and you can have one with a stick. Loved mine, even though the interior fell apart and there appeared to be a hole in the fuel tank."

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Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Engine: 5,748cc, V12
Transmission: 6-speed manual, RWD
Power (hp): 540@7,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 434@5,250rpm
MPG: 13.6
CO2: 475g/km
Recorded mileage: 17,000
First registered: 2004
Price new: £183,057
Yours for: £64,990

See the original advert here.

 

 

 

[elephantstone]

Got up close to one of these last night at the GT Cafe meet in warrington. Bloody massive!

[365daytonafan]

Not sure Rosso Corsa is the best colour for a 612 (there was a manual one in Grigio Alloy for sale in the PH classifieds a few months back which was goregous), but otherwise lovely.

[JS100]

Surely one of the ugliest cars ever made?!

[Pistachio]

JS100 said:

Surely one of the ugliest cars ever made?!

Yep one of many Frank Stephenson ugly Ferrari's!!The 456 was great then this !!!
With the length of the car you think it would be perfect to do a beautiful car.

Edited by Pistachio on Tuesday 14th January 13:05

Edited by Pistachio on Tuesday 14th January 13:05

Edited by Pistachio on Tuesday 14th January 13:06

[Garlick]

I think the 612 can look very attractive, needs a dark metallic and these wheels though

[Phil Dicky]

Garlick said:

I think the 612 can look very attractive, needs a dark metallic and these wheels though

Amazing what a colour change and wheels can achieve.

[treetops]

Amazingly low mileages on these type of cars, am I right to be suspicious?

[5lab]

Phil Dicky said:

Garlick said:

I think the 612 can look very attractive, needs a dark metallic and these wheels though

Amazing what a colour change and wheels can achieve.

and not being able to see the front end..

[Davey S2]

treetops said:

Amazingly low mileages on these type of cars, am I right to be suspicious?

No.

Lots of people have used 4 seat Ferraris as everyday cars and some of them have a decent number of miles under their belts as a result but there are still plenty of garage queens around.

[bqf]

JS100 said:

Surely one of the ugliest cars ever made?!

[elephantstone]

It needs to be in a dark colour. The headlights look cheap overwise, same story with the 360 and the colour coded part of the headlights doesn't look nice at all. Only part of both cars that i dont like!

[Garlick]

5lab said:

and not being able to see the front end..

Honestly doesn't offend me.

[thatdude]

I wouldnt mind one of these. If only my bank account wouldnt mind either.

[carinaman]

Phil Dicky said:

Garlick said:

I think the 612 can look very attractive, needs a dark metallic and these wheels though

Amazing what a colour change and wheels can achieve.

Agreed, though it still looks a little underwheeled just as Fiat Coupes and Alfa 916 GTVs do. The 456 looks less underwheeled in the photo used in this thread.

[mr2j]

elephantstone said:

It needs to be in a dark colour. The headlights look cheap overwise, same story with the 360 and the colour coded part of the headlights doesn't look nice at all. Only part of both cars that i dont like!

I figured out that on forza you can paint the colour-coded bodywork in the light housing and make it look proper naff. Baby blue on pink, anyone?

[carinaman]

Phil Dicky said:

Garlick said:

I think the 612 can look very attractive, needs a dark metallic and these wheels though

Amazing what a colour change and wheels can achieve.

At least the red one doesn't have shields on it. That 456 has shields too. Yuck!

One of the reasons I like this is the Top Gear Car versus Public Transport race across Europe. Besides the lovely noise, I seem to remember Clarkson having trouble with the wipers lifting. I doubtless be humming Smoke on the Water for the rest of the day.

[Mr Tidy]

I quite liked the look of the 612 until I got to Pistachio's post with the 456 photo which is just so much better!

[Ferosferio]

I must be in the minority, I think it's rather nice. Granted, it's a bit colour sensitive and it can also look under-wheeled but it's not offensive in the slightest.

I think that this is one of the few Ferraris which will age very well. It's not a complicated mess like some of the more recent efforts from Ferrari, it's a no fuss design. Simple and understated enough with some classic design lines.

[ukmike2000]

Once you fire it up how could you not love it?

If I only had money to burn .....................

[Sampaio]

Having seen one in dark grey at night in the center of Paris I can confirm it looks much cooler than you'd think.