The Ferrari GTO’s Third Coming
If you exclude Vandenbrink Design’s go-nowhere concept, this’d be the third coming of Ferrari’s venerable GTO nameplate.
Without resorting to Wikipedia for background info, the GTOs were race-homologated berlinetta coupes. The first, the 250 GTO, had a brief, but exceptional, run in the early 1960s. It is the most valuable automobile in the world, according to auction estimates. The moniker was revived twenty years later with the 288 GTO, which appeared like a 308 GTB with a mean bodykit.
Lo and behold, Ferrari is going back to the past and bringing back the original “Goat.” The new GTO is said to be a souped-up play off the 599 GTB. An Enzo-based 6.0 L V-12 will be re-tuned to deliver upwards of 700 hp. That’ll come to an estimated price tag between $600,000 and $700,000. 60 should be hit in 3.2 sec., and top speed is said to be north of 210 mph, if that helps.
Video: 200 mph Super ‘Cuda vs. Ferrari Enzo
Things We Would Spend Money on Rather Than an $11m Shelby Daytona: A Ferrari Collection
Keeping with our week-long series, today’s better alternative to an $11,000,000 Shelby Daytona is an entire Ferrari collection of old and new Maranello gems. The Ferrari marque has produced hundreds of different specials over its many decades, but here’s are some that standout in our mind for value and style:
Misfit Shelby Hopes to Find Buyer This Time Around
We reported a couple months back about a rare 1965 Shelby Daytona up for auction at Mecum. The seller had hoped to have his car become a record-holder with a final bid between $10,000,000 and $11,000,000. The final bid was nowhere near those figures. The seller and Mecum group claim there was a post-auction offer of as much as $7,500,000, but the seller was still unsatisfied.
Here we go again. The seller is pushing the Shelby coupe on the block once again, hoping this season’s Monterey auction will bring in a willing buyer up to the seller’s financial standards.
That’s going to be a hard sell. With a shaky economy, classic American car values in the dumps, and an astonishingly high sales expectation, we find it very unlikely this car will hit the eight-figure mark. The only cars we can count hitting eleven million have been Ferrari’s revered 250 Testa Rossas and GTOs. Still, this Daytona is in marvelous condition, is extremely rare, and has real history behind it.
Formula 1’s Insurrection is Back on
Looks like the Formula 1 war between the governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) will be back on after a peacetime discussion fell through.
The FIA previously agreed to give up the regulatory demands it planned to instate if FOTA dropped its bid to start a separate racing league. Things have since gone sour again. While reports are going back and forth, the breakup seems to be due to the FIA’s demand that any agreement be reached with unanimity among all the F1 teams–not just those with FOTA.
Looks like the only way this’ll be solved is with violence. Lots of it.
Pagani Brings Us…Another Zonda
Horacio Pagani’s namesake, though relatively unknown to the masses, has caught the imagination and desire of many an American auto enthusiast. The latest version of the Zonda, the Cinque, furthers the proven supercar formula with less weight and more propulsion.
To keep the millionaire clientele interested, Pagani’s put the Zonda Cinque in open-top form. Structural rigidity has been preserved with a strengthened titanium/carbon composite chassis. That added reinforcement is needed: the Mercedes 7.3 L V-12 delivers a whopping 678 hp. (Keep in mind those horses only have to push a car weighing under 2,700 lbs.)
Sixty’s hit in less than three and half seconds, and top speed is claimed at 217 mph. Like the Cinque coupe before it, the Roadster will be limited to five examples and retail at around €800,000.
Spyker C8 Aileron Gets Hardcore and Revealing
The Spyker name isn’t a household one in the United States, but the Dutch concern has been trying hard to break into the exclusive world of prestige marques. The Spyker name has a long history going back to the 1900s, and covered both motorcar production and aeronautical development at its peak.
What Happens When You Supercharge a Scuderia?
German tuner Novitec has released the latest custom Ferrari, the Scuderia Spider 16M. Cosmetic changes over the standard Ferrari F430 are minor–a carbon composite theme inside the cabin, blacked-out tail lamps, and 20″ wheels… The real shocker comes from within the powertrain compartment. Engineers have installed not one, but two superchargers. Power peaks at 696 hp at 8,400 rpm; torque comes in at 503 ft.-lbs. Those outstanding numbers come to a 44% rise in horsepower and a 47% hike in torque.
If only Novitec could to the same with Aprilia’s underpowered RS125 sport bike, I could live happily.
Video: Fifth Gear Goes Topless in California
Here’s another video review from the gang at Fifth Gear. We all wish the topless theme of the car in question, Ferrari’s California Spider, would have stretched to reviewer Vicky Henderson–oh well. The California is highlighted for its easy manner, discipline, comfort, and real performance. Yours truly had the benefit of seeing this car in its Euro preview form, and was blessed to experience its qualities up close. One little note: the California Spider is not the first hardtop convertible Ferrari. The first was (that comes to mind) the 575M Superamerica.
Max Mosley’s Reign of Terror Comes to an End
Max Mosley will not run for re-election as president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), European racing’s governing body. The longtime English federation manager, and notorious Nazi-dressing sex freak, will be stepping down after a rebellion by the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA).
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