If you ever doubted that “less canbe more”you probably don't remember the unveiling of the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Unlike the 599 coupe on which it was based, it didn't have a solid roof – but at £400,000, it did cost twice as much.
Launched at a time when limited-edition exotics were flying off the shelves (despite a global recession), all 80 were sold long before the proletariat even knew of the model's existence, since the chance to own one was offeredonly to Ferrari's 'special clients.'
And as this pristine example on offer from French dealer L'Art de L'Automobile demonstrates, a car that was originally twice the price can now command 10times more than a standard 599 GTB Fiorano.
Produced to honour the 80th anniversary of Carrozzeria Pininfarina – which has penned the lines of numerous Ferrari models since 1952 – the 'SA'referenced the initials of Sergio Pininfarina and his son Andrea (who died in 2008 as the result of a scooter accident at the young age of 51).
But it's not only the model's rarity that has pushed values towards hypercar territory, because the 599 SA Aperta (for 'open') is a whole lot more than just a GTB with the top lopped off.
For a start, it benefits from the 661bhp engine from the sublime, ultra-high-performance 599 GTO that began life in the Enzo supercar and was also used in the track-only 599XX.
Then there's the more steeplyraked windscreen and lower ride height, the remodelled sail panels, the GTO's vast Brembo brakes and its Manettino adjustable dampers. The SA Aperta also came with unique 20-inch wheels.
The result is an open car that looks even better than its coupe siblings and which, unusually, offers identical performance – that's a 0-60mph time of around 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 208mph, all accompanied by the extra-glorious V12 symphony resulting from the GTO-derived exhaust system.
Delivered in December 2011 but having covered a mere 1,740 miles from new, the L'Art de L'Automobile car is in pristine condition and comes not only with a basic, lightweight roof panel (a fiddly-to-fit job that was only ever intended for in-town or 'emergency' use) but alsoa carbon-fibre hard top –a rare option, since it added an eye-watering 10%to the car's original list price.
Other expensive extras on this example are the yellow brake calipers, carbon race seats and dashboard inserts, white-backed rev counter and special 'Nero Stellato' metallic paint. And, in keeping with the era in which it was built, an all-important iPod connection.
The SA Aperta might have been born during the last great recession – but it sure came up smelling of roses. And it’ll likely ride this one out with style, too. Check back in a decadeand find out...
