Sure, Modena, the hometown of Enzo Ferrari, has an impressive museum, but the true home of the Italian automaker is in an industrialized area of Maranello.
Beyond supporting the marque's factory, this small town also has a massive museum dedicated to the brand within it and in this museum, one area stands out. Dedicated to the finest pieces of modern Ferrari design, this display would take the breath away from even the most prolific Prancing Horse connoisseur.
During our visit, taking pride of place were two LaFerraris: the original design concept precisely carved out of clay and the very first production-spec model created. Yet, even they seemed to fade into insignificance compared to the other models displayed.
Perhaps the highlight was a rare FXX K finished in Rosso Corsa. As with many of the models turning heads, it wasn't a running car but a completed design study, looking identical to the 32 track-only examples bound for customers, apart from for the blacked out windows. Anywhere else in the world, the LaFerrari makes other cars seem tame but here, the FXX K manages to make even the company's road-going hybrid seem almost unremarkable.
Some other extremely eye-catching cars displayed were three of the limited-run F12 models created by Ferrari's Special Projects programme, the F12 TRS, the SP America and the F60 America. Three units of the TRS, painted in red, silver and black, were created for one wealthy client and the car on display was the life-size mockup that was given the tick of approval by the customer. With the exception of the cardboard brake calipers, it is indistinguishable from the completed cars and oh-so-beautiful.
As just one unit of the SP America was created, the unit present was again a design mockup and even though it's based around the same car as the TRS, it looks radically different, adopting a more curvaceous and subtle design. Perhaps the highlight of the trio was the blue F60 America as it was indeed one of a mere 10 customer cars produced - and, in a sea of red, it stood out in the best way possible.
Another amazing model was the Ferrari Sergio, among six units produced to pay tribute to Sergio Pininfarina and worth well over $2 million. One of the most beautiful cars designed by the firm in recent memory, the Sergio is based around the 458 Spider but features a bespoke exterior that includes a particularly stunning engine cover.
As if things couldn't get more special, the design mockup for Eric Clapton's SP12 EC was also there, combining the classic appeal of the 512 BB with the howling powertrain of the 458. With the British musician handing over $4.5 million, it's certainly one of the costliest cars built by Ferrari.
Photos Carscoops.com/Brad Anderson
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