The Ferrari 599 GTO carries the Gran Turismo Omologata name, the same three words previously used for the 250 GTO and the 288 GTO. Gran Turismo Omologata translates to ‘Grand Touring Homologated,’ a designation given to road-legal cars built to homologate a series of racing cars. In a similar vein, the 599 GTO is the roadgoing sibling of the Ferrari 599XX, created by translating the XX program’s lessons in aerodynamics, chassis calibration, braking, and powertrain to public roads.

Commissioned by a female client in Greece as recorded by the original service book, this 599 GTO began life as a fully bespoke Atelier order. The consultation, approval, and build cycle for an Atelier commission was more involved and time-consuming than a standard order at the time. The dedication plate itself is a wonderful detail. It is hand-engraved in the original client’s own handwriting with the words “To myself Maria,” and it is positioned on the lower dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. The car was delivered new via Genesis S.A., the official Ferrari dealer just north of Athens in July 2011. In a recent conversation with Genesis S.A., they confirmed that Maria decided to leave the car in storage at the showroom, and it was never driven by her.

The specification announces itself at first glance. Rubino Micalizzato is classified as an “Extracampionario,” special order multilayer Ferrari paint color that rewards close viewing. In soft light it reads as deep red to burgundy. In direct sun it opens up with brighter ruby highlights and a metallic undertone that reveals a gold to bronze sparkle within the flake. The roof is finished in Grigio Silverstone Opaco. It is believed that the carbon Scuderia shields, an expensive Ferrari Genuine after-sales accessory, were installed by the delivering dealer, and sit on the front wings matching the center caps in carbon so that every exterior detail is in harmony.

Inside, the car goes well beyond the standard palette. Blue Scuro Alcantara covers the entire cabin, including seats, steering wheel, dashboard, doors, and lower/upper trim, specified as an Extracampionario selection. The seat belts are Bordeaux rather than bright red, a great choice that ties the interior to the depth of the exterior. The rev counter is red. A factory-fitted roll bar speaks to the GTO’s intent. The result is truly spectacular to behold and boasts a level of specification that few, if any other examples, duplicate.

After four years remaining at Genesis S.A. in Greece, Maria sold the 599 GTO to a private collector in Germany in 2015 and was road registered there that same year. With that owner, it was used sparingly, explaining the very low mileage and the exceptional originality evident upon inspection.

Mechanically, the 599 GTO stands apart from the 599 GTB. The V-12 engine shares its F140 architecture with the Enzo yet benefits from the lessons of the XX program. Breathing was reworked, internal losses reduced, calibration refined, and maximum output quoted at 670 horsepower. The exhaust side is central to the car’s character. The 599 GTO uses 6 into 1 manifolds derived from the 599XX, flowing into a freer system that gives an unmistakable noise. Many consider it amongst the best-sounding modern Ferraris. The gearbox was tuned for shifts measured in around sixty milliseconds, a response that makes the car feel alive in the driver’s hands. The balance of aerodynamic revision and weight reduction completes the transformation so that the 599 GTO feels razor sharp while retaining a grand touring breadth.

The 599 GTO was limited to 599 examples worldwide. It is therefore rarer than the F12tdf with 799 built and rarer than the 812 Competizione coupe at 999 constructed. Adding to this example’s allure, Ferrari’s current Tailor Made program was not available for the 599 GTO and the only route to a fully bespoke configuration was via the Atelier program. Very few GTOs were processed at this level. Among those few, surely examples with lower mileage than this example, 1,552 km at the time of cataloguing, are exceptionally scarce. In today’s market, with high levels of factory customization being of utmost importance, few 599 GTOs will be as compelling to collectors as this example, especially when taking its low mileage into consideration. It still rides on its original factory-supplied Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, a detail that underlines the minimal use.

It is important to note that the car is accompanied by two keys, its original owner’s manuals with pouch, tool kit, tire inflator kit, radio code card, white maintenance gloves, and its Classiche certification binder confirming its sensational specification (which was delivered with the car when new). Further accompanying the car are two service tags from Maranello Service, the official Ferrari service center in Madrid, showing services in 2020 and 2023 at 1,348 km and 1,447 km respectively.

Having established itself as a modern-day classic from the moment it was announced, the 599 GTO combines incredible performance with welcome practicality, leaving for a car that revels in spirited driving yet one that can be easily driven on a regular basis or for longer journeys. This particular example’s specification reflects that dual-purpose personality. Offered with less than 1,600 km, this is a truly remarkable example that should not be overlooked, and one would be hard pressed to find a more impressive example anywhere worldwide.