Since the introduction of the dominant and breathtakingly beautiful 250 GTO in 1962, Ferrari's most track-focused cars have borne the three letters G.T.O., which stand for "Gran Turismo Omologato". Spiritual successors in the homologation spirit like the Group B monster 288 GTO, which is considered Ferrari's supercar pioneer nowadays, continued this thoroughbred lineage in the following decades. More than two and a half decades after the last car bearing the GTO moniker had rolled off the assembly line, Ferrari finally revived it in the shape of the spectacular 599 GTO, which ushering in a new decade for the Prancing Horse.
The modern reinterpretation of this delicate recipe was unveiled at the 2010 Auto China in Beijing and drew droves of automotive journalists and enthusiastic visitors to the Prancing Horse's booth. Not as radical as the wide-bodied and weight-optimized 730 hp 599XX, which had debuted a year earlier in Geneva and was tailored to the needs of private clients seeking a 599 GTB-based track tool, it was a tasteful instant classic.
The 599 was the ultimate front-engined V12 berlinetta of its day, following in the footsteps of the timelessly elegant 550 and 575 Maranello. The "standard" 599 GTB, which was introduced in 2006, was already one of the most powerful grand tourers of the late 2000s, thanks to its naturally aspirated 6.0-liter twelve-cylinder producing 620 hp. The GTO shared most of its underpinnings with the 599XX but was far more discreet and therefore marked the return of the classic GTO philosophy. Its 670 horses were enough to propel the Pininfarina-styled coupé to more than 335 km/h, making it the fastest front-engined Ferrari to date. And it clocked a 1:24 lap time at Ferrari's Fiorano test track, beating both the legendary Enzo and its trident brother, the Maserati MC12, by almost a second.
With a German base price of more than 440.000 Euros, it was also one of the most expensive in the Maranello stable. Initially, Ferrari intended to produce only 599 GTOs, but in the end at least 912 cars were sold, despite the hefty price tag. The brand's clientele was begging for a road-legal version of the 599XX, so demand was quite high. The XX-derived technology was the main price driver. Both versions, for example, shared a complex automated six-speed Formula 1 gearbox. A slightly revised, aerodynamically optimized design with additional air intakes differentiated the GTO from the 599 GTB.
Parisian auction house Aguttes is offering a splendid example at their annual Spring Sale on the 15 march. The car was sold new by the renowned dealership Charles Pozzi back in 2010 and spent the last sixteen years in the hands of the same French owner. It’s estimated to fetch 750. to 850.000 euros. Draped in the exquisite Tailor Made triple-coat Rosso Formula 1 2007 paired with a deep black Alcantara interior, its most defining feature is the exceptionally rare rollover bar. This specific option was billed at nearly 20.000 Euros at the time and underscores the racing DNA of the vehicle. Unlike many of its siblings that have spent their lives climated-controlled garages, this GTO has been driven with the passion it deserves.
Having passed into the hands of its current owner, a devoted Ferrari enthusiast, just one month and 800 kilometers after its initial delivery, it has since covered just over 30.200 km. This documented mileage, combined with an extensive service history carried out exclusively at official Ferrari dealerships, makes it a rare driver’s GTO in peak mechanical health. The sale includes a complimentary service at Charles Pozzi in Levallois-Perret, ensuring that its next custodian can experience the raw power of the V12 without concern. Complete with its original service booklets, spare key, and dedicated dust cover, this 599 GTO represents a fleeting opportunity to acquire a legend that has been maintained and enjoyed exactly as Maranello intended.
