As part of Ferrari’s promotional efforts for its then-relatively unknown Carrozzeria Scaglietti personalization program, a precursor to today’s Tailor Made, five exclusive 612 "Bicolore” show cars were commissioned for Pebble Beach, Los Angeles, Detroit, Cavallino, and New York. These bespoke models were created to showcase the extensive customization possibilities available to Ferrari’s most discerning clientele.

The example presented here, chassis 145131, known as the 612 “Bicolore Detroit,” was the third in this limited series and served as the centerpiece of Ferrari’s stand at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Dressed in a striking two-tone livery of Rubino Micalizzato over Nero Daytona, a palette later selected for Ferrari’s ultra-exclusive 612 Sessanta 60th anniversary models, the car’s bespoke interior featured Cioccolato and beige leather, deviated stitching, quilted accents, and contrasting piping. Uniquely configured by Ferrari’s design team, the Detroit Bicolore was heavily photographed by the factory and featured in contemporary brochures, catalogues, and showroom displays.

Its post-show journey took a dramatic turn after the original owner, a local Detroit businessman, became entangled in a high-profile federal investigation into Detroit municipal corruption. He titled the 612 under his girlfriend’s name, a prominent local news anchor, but was exposed as the true owner in a lawsuit stemming from a minor traffic incident in May 2007. The FBI seized the 612 in October 2007 and subsequently sold it at a US Government auction, during which its history and significance went unnoticed.

The consignor, a noted automotive historian, rediscovered the car’s importance in 2022 and acquired the 612, initiating an extensive reconditioning from 2023 to 2024. These included a major mechanical service, suspension overhaul, cosmetic refinements, refreshed interior trim, addressing sticky interior parts, and fresh paint protection film. Accompanying the sale are books, tools, fitted 612 Scaglietti suitcase in matching Cioccolato leather, and a 2006 Detroit Auto Show Ferrari press kit.

The 612 Bicolore Detroit stands as a singular expression of Ferrari’s early bespoke program, offering the rare opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire a factory show car with unique specifications, global pedigree, and captivating provenance.