The Australian International Motor Show, which opens its doors this week (11 October 2007), will boast four unique Ferraris that demonstrate the depth and breadth of Carrozzeria Scaglietti, the Ferrari personalisation programme.

“For nearly two years Ferrari has not built the same car twice, such is the ability to personalise every Ferrari,” explains Kevin Wall, General Manager for Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand. “So, in a very real sense each of the four cars on our stand at the Australian International Motor Show is unique. Indeed, with these four cars, they are amongst the most highly specified Ferraris ever seen in Australia, as we have used them to illustrate to prospective owners the many possibilities that are open to them when ordering their own Ferrari.”

Given Ferrari’s position as the supreme maker of super cars, the fact that every Ferrari is unique may not seem exceptional; however, historically it is a considerable change for Ferrari. Legend has it that Enzo Ferrari only built road cars as a means to fund his success in Grand Prix racing and that people lucky enough to be allowed to buy a Ferrari virtually had to take the cars as they emerged from the Maranello factory.

There were exceptions, cars that were tailored to specific designs by some of the great Italian coach builders, but this largely ended in the 1960s as Ferrari did not want the performance of its cars hampered by unsuitable bodywork.

Ferrari also made exceptions for notable owners. For example when Italian film director Roberto Rossellini wanted a car for his then-wife, Ingid Bergman, a special colour was produced to her personal tastes, a colour that lives on today as Grigio Ingrid in the modern palette of colours from which a Ferrari owner may make their choice, to celebrate another part of the Ferrari legend.

But for the new century there has been a substantial change at Ferrari. The Carrozzeria Scaglietti personalization programme employs a host of skilled craftsman aided by the latest technology that enabled every car produced by Ferrari since 2006 to be different. For example, handcrafted leather is an Italian automotive tradition, so it is no surprise that a team of crafts people produce these unique interiors at Maranello, but it may be more of a surprise to know that they are supported by a computer driven, laser guided high pressure water cutting machine that ensures that the finest leathers are cut perfectly every time. Equally, it should be no surprise that Ferrari provides equipment and features that enable its owners to fully explore the abilities of their cars in the safe confines of a race track.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Taking pride of place on the Ferrari stand will be the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the newest model from Maranello, resplendent in black with a red interior with black carpet. From the outside the most obvious additional features are the ball polished 20 inch ‘Challenge Alloy Wheels’, through which may be glimpsed the yellow brake calipers fitted to the massive carbon ceramic brake system. Completing the additional features on the exterior are Scuderia Ferrari shields moulded into the front guards, marking the links to the Formula One team.

The Rosso leather upholstery is fitted to the Recaro Seats, which may be a racing design, but are fully electrically adjustable. The style of the leather is the Daytona design that has featured in so many classic Ferraris and it is contrasted by a special style and thickness of stitching.
 

The leather also extends to the roof lining, rear bench and side panels. On that rear bench is a set of hand crafted luggage designed specifically for the 599. The dashboard has the optional Carbon Fibre trim and this is also used on the steering wheel which, like the Formula One cars, has a row of LEDs in its top rim to indicate engine speed and gear change points and through which can be seen the yellow instrumentation. The mirrors are photochromatic so that the driver will not be dazzled by another car receding in the rear view mirror and in the unlikely situation that the driver should tire of the sound of the glorious V12 engine, as complete Bose HiFi audio system is fitted.

Ferrari F430 Coupe

Rosso Corsa – or one of the four reds available to Ferrari owners – with a beige interior.  At the rear of the car, the standard bumper and splitter has been replaced by a carbon fibre unit as used in the 430 Challenge racing cars. Ball polished alloy wheels are fitted, through which are visible the red calipers and Scuderia Ferrari shields are fitted to the front guards. Inside the leather is extended to include the roof lining, rear parcel shelf, while the Daytona leather seats use a unique style of piping, rather than stitching. The dashboard features carbon fibre inserts and has a personalized dedication plate for the new owner. The audio system has been upgraded to the Bose HiFi system and includes an extra bass box. Instrumentation is in red, to compliment the exterior. 

Ferrari F430 Spider

In Rosso Corsa red with a black interior, this Ferrari has been specified with track days in mind. It has the Challenge style alloy rims similar to the 430 Challenge racing car, these clothe the carbon ceramic brake system with yellow calipers, while the driver is held in place by full racing seats and Scuderia Ferrari shields on the guards link this car clearly to the Formula One team. The black leather extends to the rear parcel shelf and has contrasting stitching in red, while a yellow rev counter and carbon fibre inserts complete the interior. A full iPod connection system will keep this Ferrari’s owner entertained en route to the race track.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

In a more subtle colour and trim scheme than the two seat sports cars, as befits the 612’s role as the luxury model in the Ferrari range, the car at the Australian International Motor Show has a Gregio Silverstone exterior with a Crema interior and black carpet. The seats, with their Daytona trim, use a special piping and a diamond pattern stitching is applied to the leather roof lining. The dashboard is in a special darkened aluminium trim, which compliments the yellow instrumentation. The yellow brake calipers may be seen through the 19 inch modular alloy wheels. While the cars on display at the Australian International Motor Show make extensive use of the Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme, they are just the beginning of what is possible, with possible combinations of trim and equipment running into the millions and a host of post-purchase Ferrari items also available.