After F50 production concluded in 1998, tifosi dreamt of what exotic machine Maranello would devise next—and what form it would take.

At the Paris Motor Show in September 2002, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo ended the wait for the marque’s next flagship model with the introduction of the forthcoming Ferrari Enzo. Though the model’s name required no explanation, he clarified that the Enzo would bear strong visual and mechanical connections to Formula One, with the Scuderia and Michael Schumacher then in the midst of their unprecedented reign of dominance which had begun in 1999.

True to di Montezemolo’s promise, the Enzo’s external design mimics the shape of an open-wheel race car, though as if wrapped in a skin extending over the fenders and cockpit. Aerodynamically perfected in Pininfarina’s wind tunnel, the body is comprised of panels woven from carbon fiber and Kevlar. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels anchored by 15-inch Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes, and unique scissor doors, respectively, complete the Enzo’s chassis and cabin, finishing a car that remains highly technological and endlessly fascinating.

Into this phenomenal marriage of chassis and body, a new purpose-built engine was placed behind the driver, continuing the manufacturer’s long-running configuration for sports prototypes and hypercars. The concurrent 90-degree V-8 was essentially extended by two cylinders on each side and altered in angle, creating the 65-degree Tipo F140B V-12 engine. It was then packed with racing components such as Nikasil-lined cylinder walls, titanium connecting rods, and a telescoping intake manifold designed to boost torque, ultimately developing 651 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque, earth-shattering numbers even by today’s standards. With power transmitted via a six-speed dual-clutch transaxle that is actuated with column-mounted paddle-shifters, the Enzo can catapult itself to 60 mph from standstill in just 3.3 seconds and onward to a top speed of 218 mph.

AN ENZO IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Fourth months following their introduction of the model to the world in Paris, Ferrari debuted the Enzo to US buyers with this car offered here, chassis 130270, at the 2003 Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach, Florida. The significance of this debut venue is worth noting, as it represents the most significant gathering of Ferrari customers (especially VIPs), at the most important marque-exclusive concours held within their most important market.

Finished in the striking color combination of Rosso Corsa over a cabin fully trimmed with Pelle Nero upholstery and finished with red gauge faces, this important Enzo is one of three examples (130270, 130688, 131026) ordered new by New York’s Caiola family—of which numerous members are within the marque’s inner circle of preeminent VIPs. Following its Cavallino debut, and several other interceding non-driving press duties, it was finally delivered to the Caiolas via Wide World of Cars in Spring Valley, New York on 20 August 2003. Unofficial tallies compiled by Ferrari researchers note that this Enzo is still among the first of those 118 US-market Enzo examples delivered between 2003 and 2005.

Despite its specification as a US-market car, a 2004 service invoice (on file) from the originating dealer shows the technicians discovered that Ferrari had equipped this Enzo with Euro-market ECUs, and these were duly replaced at no cost. The Caiola family enjoyed this Enzo for approximately 1,000 miles when in June 2006, they sold it to a Beverly Hills-based collector of late-model supercars.

In its second owner’s care, the car’s light alloy wheels were repainted in the attractive gloss Gunmetal finish which they still wear today. In May 2008, this owner registered this Enzo to their vacation house in Alberta, Canada, although historic imagery and service history shows that the car in fact spent most of its days at properties in Southern California and Arizona.

Just prior to entering the Dare to Dream Collection during January 2015, this Enzo was submitted to Ferrari of Vancouver for a $25,000 service regimen which saw a comprehensive Four-Year Service completed, as well as the fitment of a new windshield, oil pump, water pump, and refinishing of its front bumper. Over the past 2,000 miles of use by the consignor, this distinctive Enzo has been a stellar performer and always a star of their collection’s formidable sampling of Ferrari’s more recent “Greatest Hits.”

In July 2017, over $16,000 was spent refreshing the car’s chassis with new suspension components including ball joints, and sway bar links at all four corners. More recently, in February 2023 the car’s entire front end was coated in a protective film. It is accompanied now by a piece of fitted luggage, an additional set of wheels and tires in original condition (with tires date-coded 2002), manuals, warranty card, and owner’s service book with pouch, and tools.

As unique and captivating today as it was in 2002, the Ferrari Enzo continues to hold sway with collectors and supercar enthusiasts, unmistakably carrying the mantle of Maranello’s defining millennial hypercar while serving as the genetic link between the sensuous F50 and the hybrid-powered LaFerrari. Bearing all the hallmarks of the model’s superlative qualities, including advanced Formula One-inspired engineering, aerodynamically perfected coachwork design by Pininfarina, and truly visceral performance, the Dare to Dream Collection’s Enzo is ideal for any collectors seeking to complete their galleries of Ferrari’s legendary modern “Big Five” hypercars.