If any car was ever going to sell itself, it would be a V12 drop-top Ferrari, so it’s surprising that they decided to make just 80 examples of the 599 SA Aperta worldwide. We suspect that Greenpeace may have gotten involved, because with a car this tempting, if they made any more it would probably triple the world’s fossil fuel consumption. Certainly, if you gave anyone in the CD office the keys you would need the world’s most effective crowbar to pry us out.
Built as an 80th birthday present to Pininfarina, the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta was announced at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show, continuing on from the 575 Superamerica and 550 Barchetta. Equipped with the ballistic powertrain of the 599 GTO, the SA Aperta was given a windshield with a stepper rake and two aerodynamic fins behind the roll bars to echo the standard 599’s flying buttresses. However, Ferrari also wanted to ensure as pleasurable a V12 listening experience as possible, so they gave the SA Aperta slightly more softly sprung suspension and a less heart attack-inducing exhaust note to improve it’s GT credentials.
Currently for sale with Simon Furlonger, who have known this car from new, this 599 SA Aperta gleams in its special order Blu Scuro 3 Strati paint, especially in combination with the Grigio roof panels and wing mirrors. Increasing this car’s rarity even further is its accompanying carbon fibre hard top roof, making it one of just two with that option box ticked. Having covered just over 4,000 miles since leaving the factory in 2011, this incredibly rare Ferrari is crying for an Italian road trip this summer. If you’re looking to shake off those lockdown blues sandwiched between two Prancing Horse badges, then there’s really no better way to do it.
