The Ferrari 599 always eludes the radar when it comes to exotic car ownership. Most buyers prefer owning the better-refined F12 or its latest counterpart, the 812 Superfast. However, it’s worth mentioning that the 599 is an exceptionally capable supercar. But bear in mind that the 599 is a decade-old car with Ferrari launching the model in 2007.
Replacing the 575 Maranello, the 599 proved a great success for the Italian moniker. But when it comes to the 599, collectors much prefer buying its more track-focused version, the GTO. With a regular 599 being sold for anywhere between $90,000 and $200,000, the GTOs go between $650,000 to well over $700,000. As is the case with any limited-run Ferrari, the GTO has appreciated a fair bit.
Gooding & Company has a Classiche-certified 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO up for grabs. The supercar is painted in a shade called Grigio Ferro with contrasting elements, including a stripe finished in Nero DS, Ferrari-speak for black. Another highlight is that this GTO has just 1,550 miles on the odometer and is presented in a near-flawless condition. Bidding starts on August 19 at the 2022 Pebble Beach Auction. More details will follow soon.
What Makes The Ferrari 599 GTO Special?
Most limited-run Ferraris have appreciated, thanks to the strong brand heritage and market demand. Being exclusive with just 599 units ever made, the 599 GTO is worth buying as an investment over its GTB sibling. The 599 GTO is the third Ferrari to have the GTO moniker after the multi-million dollar 250 GTO and the brand’s first halo car, the 288 GTO. All these will definitely add to its value. Seeing as most GTOs end up as garage queens, it’s better to look for examples that are well looked after. Despite having slightly less power and a civilized ride versus something like the F12 TDF, the 599 GTO still has the Ferrari ethos, making it one of the best GTs out there.
What’s Under The Ferrari 599 GTO’s Hood?
Understand that the GTO was a heavily reworked version of the road-friendly 599 GTB. The regular 599 came with a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 producing 611 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. The 599 GTO makes do with the same engine with a bit more power. The engine now produced 661 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Available transmissions for the GTB were a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed sequential automatic that Ferrari called the F1 transmission. The 599 GTO only came with the sequential single-clutch automatic but with revised transmission codes from the track-only 599XX.
In terms of performance, the 599 is capable of reaching the 60 mph mark in 3.3 seconds, while the GTO takes 3.2 seconds. Top speed stood at 205 mph for the GTB and 208 mph for the 599 GTO. While the advantages seem minimal, it is the overall driving experience that made a difference. While the standard GTB is brilliant, the GTO took things a bit further. The 599 has a sumptuous exhaust note, but the GTO does one better with a heavenly-sounding 599XX-derived system.
Although Ferrari still makes naturally aspirated engines, there’s a noticeable difference in how an 812 Superfast sounds when compared to the 599 or the GTO, for that matter. The 599 GTO is more aggressive and raw, while the GTB is a proper grand tourer meant for cross-country travel. The suspension in the 599 GTO has been stiffened and sees an overall weight saving of 100 kilograms through the extensive use of carbon fiber.
What’s It Like Inside The Pininfarina-designed Ferrari 599 GTO?
Inside the 599, things are well-appointed. As with any Ferrari, quality is top-notch, and everything is built with extreme attention to detail. The steering wheel houses F1-inspired shift lights that were a first on a Ferrari or any road car, for that matter. Being a strict 2-seater, the 599 came with all the luxuries that were part of Ferraris back in 2007. As for the GTO, the interior is ripped clean of leather and favored Alcantara instead. Even the bits across the dashboard are fabric rather than leather to save weight. Also, the GTO has no floor mats and comes with less sound-deadening material for a raw experience. As with limited-run track-focused Ferraris, it even came with the option of a fire extinguisher.
The exterior of the 599 is elegant with a distinct styling that’s exclusive to Ferrari’s front-engined Berlinettas. Noticeable differences between the GTB and GTO include updated front and rear bumper design to facilitate better airflow for cooling and downforce. Also, the 599 GTO came with an integrated deck-lid spoiler for reduced lift. The rear diffuser in the GTO has been reworked to offer better aerodynamics than its Berlinetta sibling. The Pininfarina-styled GTO is one of Ferrari’s most sought-after models, and commands a decent premium despite its relatively dated interiors and lack of modern amenities.
Sources: Gooding & Company, Ferrari