’Omologata Ferrari one-off commissioned by wealthy European speculator
For many years, Italian supercar brand, Ferrari, has pandered to its mega-wealthy customer base, highlights Iain Robertson, by responding to some (but not all) of its demands and the latest one-off blends old and new cues that will have cost a fortune.
Let’s say that you are successful industrialist, or perhaps an oligarch, possessing a fascination for motorcars, especially fast ones. Were money no object, the whole idea of commissioning something remarkable through your most favoured marque, perhaps a present to yourself, might be that improbable dream from which most carmakers would simply shy away. After all, even the wealthiest of dreamers set budgets.
Yet, prestige brands often perceive projects such as this as the challenge that entertains, not only by burnishing a brand image but also by giving their artisans an occasional something approaching a creative free hand, rather than making them play the corporate game. Prior to Teutonic ownership and fortunately since, both Bentley and Rolls-Royce have entertained the prospect of creating truly wonderful motorcars. Just look at the imaginative talent that must have gone into the more modern Bentley limousine that HM The Queen uses on State occasions, or some of the historically important Rollers that constitute the fleet in Buckingham Palace Mews, all of which are notable one-offs.
Ferrari has a habit of playing the one-off game. English rock guitarist and millionaire, Eric Clapton, has been honoured by the Modena manufacturer on more than one occasion, with his requests. The same applies to serial Ferrari buyer and drummer for Pink Floyd, Nick Mason, or the Sultan of Brunei (prior to being forced to sell-off many of his wares to settle debts), some of whose requests were for virtual fleets of specially constructed Ferrari models that he might gift to close relatives. Regardless, if Ferrari is in the mood and the commission arrives at the right time, the magic happens and the results can be spectacular.
An unique Ferrari was spotted lapping the company’s Fiorano test track, only a week ago. Not unusual in itself, as Ferrari tests its ‘Prova’-plated prototype cars on a regular basis and they scarcely turn the heads of local residents. However, while the V12 engine note reverberating around the track may have emitted a familiar sound, the car, finished in Rosso Magma (red) and carrying what appeared to be a retrospective racing livery grabbed the attention of more than a few of those that caught a glimpse. Its lineage was abundantly clear. It could not be anything other than a direct descendent of Ferrari’s great GTO tradition that spans no less than seven decades of the ‘Prancing Horse’s’ history.
Known now as the Ferrari Omologata project, it was commissioned by a discerning European client and is the latest of Ferrari’s unerringly direct line of unique, hand-built one-off specials that embodies a vibrant evocation of the values that have always defined Ferrari in respect of its contribution to GT racing. As Ferrari now admits, it is a car that is as equally at ease on the road, as it might be clipping consistently the apices on a twisting circuit, in the capable and proven hands of an appreciative driver.
The project has taken a couple of years to complete from the initial presentation of sketches to Ferrari’s design department, including graphic images that covered a variety of inspirations, from racing heritage to sci-fi and even references to modern architecture. The concept was to create a futuristic design, combined with distinctive and historical elements that would be reinterpreted in a totally fresh manner, in order to provide potential for a timelessly elegant profile that would be guaranteed to make a lasting impression.
Ferrari’s design team claimed a new 812 Superfast, Ferrari’s current front-engined grand tourer, from the production line and sought to unlock every possible area of freedom from the underlying package, retaining only the windscreen and headlights of the donor vehicle (other fundamental aspects were also retained). Their customer satisfying objective was to exploit the proportions of the elegant sportscar to deliver a very sleek design that would be defined by smooth volumes and undulating reflections, uplifted by sharp graphics and sparingly distilled surface breaks, wherever they might be dictated by aerodynamic functionality. According to insiders at Modena, the trickiest aspect was striking the ideal balance between expressiveness and restraint: the remit for Omologata had to ooze street presence, while also maintaining a distinctively pure and formal language.
Naturally, using an existing platform meant that much of the essential electronic and mechanical hardware necessary in a modern road car could be retained, which would mean that Type Approval tests would not be required. However ‘junking’ everything else presented a minor nightmare. According to Flavio Manzoni, who led the design team: “This is the 10th front-engined V12 one-off that Ferrari has delivered since the 2009 P540 Superfast Aperta. Beyond the clear instructions coming from the client and down to every detail on the car, our designers effectively considered countless variables to make this a bespoke model through and through, one which could easily find its place in any Ferrari showroom.”
From the unique red paintwork to the electric blue seats, finished in a tasteful combination of leather and Jeans Aunde® fabric, complete with 4-point racing harnesses, and a full black interior, Omologata is painfully bespoke. There are neither rear quarter lights nor screen. The cabin atmosphere is purposeful and reminiscent of a bygone era. Metal elements on the dashboard and steering wheel are finished with the crackled paint effect associated with the great GT racers of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as with Ferrari’s engine cam-covers. A hammered paint effect so often used in cars such as the 250LM and 250GTO finds its way onto details such as the inner door handles. It is a work of art but, then, you only get what you pay for! Rest assured, the end result is beautiful, utterly beautiful…but you need not ask the price, because Ferrari will never tell you.
