When Ferrari unveiled the 599 GTB Fiorano at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, it carried with it a healthy amount of expectation. It was the successor to the 550 Maranello and 575M, a car that was celebrated as a modern interpretation of a front-engined V12 berlinetta, a formula that stretched back to icons like the 250 GT SWB and 275 GTB. Thankfully, Maranello had once again drafted in the maestros at Pininfarina, who gave the 599 a sharp new look over the 550, with creases and functional aerodynamics that made the car both muscular and technical. Over its lifespan, various iterations were produced, almost all given the F1 transmission, but 30 examples were produced with a manual gearbox, of which 20 went to the United States and 10 remained in Europe. Naturally, finding such a unicorn is no easy feat, and not a cheap one at that, with prices reaching $700,000 to $1,000,000 for one of the original 30 cars produced.
So, why is this example available from our friends at The Cultivated Collector so affordable? We’ve been asking the same thing while checking for loose change behind the sofa. Boasting an incredibly rare paint shade known as Vinaccia, paired with Cuoio leather cladding those iconic Daytona-style carbon fibre-backed seats, the car’s centre console houses a glorious gated 6-speed manual gearbox - a conversion that was performed in 2023 by European Auto Group, which adds an extraordinary level of engagement to Ferrari’s front-engined V12 flagship. Sure, it may not be one of the original Maranello-made 30, but it’s also a fraction of the price.
It's not just about the feeling of the gearstick in the hand, it’s not just the satisfaction you’d get from nailing a second-to-third change as that Enzo-derived V12 sings, its more than that. A manual gearbox in a grand tourer as perfect as the 599 makes any journey an unforgettable experience. A Sunday morning blast along the canyons to the local coffee spot turns into an enthralling and engaging moment of solace, while longer journeys, something that the 599 can do with ease, become true adventures. And to think, you can get all of this for under $180,000? Talk about the bargain of the decade!
