Without any great fanfare, Ferrari has apparently wound down production of its GTC4 models, both the turbocharged, V8 T and the V12 Lusso. It makes sense: the firm now works on five-year product cycles, and the GTC4 Lusso debuted at Geneva in 2016 meaning the MY2021 cars will now already be in build or else very close to it.
No, what's strange about the situation is that there is no direct replacement for Ferrari's four-wheel drive four-seater. And while arguably not iconic poster fodder, four-seat Ferraris have a rich history - the 456 in particular enjoying some of the classic limelight and even the 400-era models no longer in the doldrums. So the apparent demise of the genre - to be indirectly succeeded by a Ferrari SUV - is a sad occasion, not least because the GTC4 Lusso was such a phenomenal GT car.
Obviously everyone knows the 488 and F8 - and the 812 and Portofino get plenty of niche-based attention - but that just left the GTC4 to bring together all the best bits of all. No, really. It can be as relaxed and subdued as any other Ferrari, perhaps even more so in fact, while delivering the excitement (and 208mph potential) that comes with an 8,000rpm V12 and handling far better than anything this big and heavy has any right to. The familiar Ferrari traits are there - seamless integration of technology, super agility, incredible poise - just in a larger vehicle. It really is quite the achievement. Whether the same attributes can be transitioned to a Ferrari SUV remains to be seen, but it won't undo what made the GTC4 Lusso special. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Secondhand, the V12 model is available from £160,000 the GTC4 Lusso T V8, introduced a couple of years later, now starts at £150,000. Those values will continue to fall if its predecessor is anything to go by, the FF having now dipped into five figures. Expect that car to continue its decline a little longer, as the 612 did, until the market realises what an impeccable slice of tradition it represents and boosts the values again. You would assume the regular GTCs might do similar.
However, as you've probably guessed, today's Spotted isn't a regular GTC4 Lusso. It's one of Ferrari's 70th anniversary cars, announced back in 2017. Back then Maranello allocated 350 of its production run to be liveried in one of 70 historic colour schemes, meaning one each of California T (as it was then) 488 GTB, 488 Spider, f12 and GTC4 Lusso. Inspiration came from throughout history, with a California evoking Steve McQueen's 250 GTL, a 488 Spider paying homage to a Kyalami-winning 365 P2 and an F12 painted like the 250 GT SWB that Stirling Moss won the TT in.
Then there's this particular GTC4 Lusso, known as 'The Surtees'; the 33rd of Ferrari's 70 liveries, it pays tribute to the 1964 158 F1 car in which John Surtees won his 1964 title in. Which, as we all know, made him the first (and likely only) person to win world championships on two and four wheels. The 158 was notable, too, for being in Luigi Chinetti's NART colours, Enzo having pulled out after a dispute with the authorities. Hence this GTC4 Lusso is painted Bianco Italia with a Blu Mariner stripe and Azzurro wheels. The #7 is as was on Surtees' car. So it's not just a big Ferrari on blingy rims, if anyone asks.
The GTC4 Lusso is currently listed as POA; those 70th anniversary cars currently also listed on PH - this f12 and this 488 GTB- do carry a premium over their run of the mill equivalents, so be prepared to dig deep if you do covet a unique V12 Ferrari. And best learn the Surtees story off by heart, too. Perhaps most importantly, though, keep adding to the 4,000 miles already recorded; this era of four-seat Ferrari probably won't be remembered as the best looking ever, but the drive remains sensational - however it's painted.
SPECIFICATION | FERRARI GTC4LUSSO
Engine: 6,262cc V12
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 690@8,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 508@5,750rpm
MPG: 18.5 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 350g/km
Year registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 4,332
Price new: £240,430 (standard GTC4)
Yours for: POA
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