2007 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

It has been commissioned especially by Peter S. Kalikow, who is the President of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a renown Ferrari collector, owning such cars as a 250 GT Pininfarina, 330 America and 400 Superamerica Pininfarina, as well as modern-day examples such as the 575 M-based Superamerica. He reportedly wanted Pininfarina to create a car that would be only very subtly different to the ’standard’ 612 Scaglietti model, with changes that would not be easily recognisable except to more dedicated enthusiasts of the Maranello brand.

The clearest new design element inspired by the classic Ferraris is the scoop in the engine cover, which is lined with polished aluminum. Another notable change up front is the use of chrome in the headlights. A looking at the side of the car raises the question whether the wheelbase was shortened, which it wasn’t. The added vents behind the front wheels are responsible for the shorter appearance. They are not just for show, but also increase the downforce by allowing air to escape from the wheel-well. The rear end is also extensively modified with the taillights moved up to the edge to a similar location as the on the F430 and Enzo.

Entry to the car is through personalized door handles, which feature the owner’s initials. These were not specified, but were added as a present by Pininfarina. If this is not enough to identify the car’s initiator and executioner, there is a plaque in the door sill that explains the details even more clearly. The interior is pretty much stock, although a upholstery colour is used that has not been available since the mid-1990s. What is very special is the roof fitted, which mainly consists of two panes of glass. Similar to those used in large German saloons, the glass’ transparency can be changed from completely clear to pitch black.

Pininfarina turned Kalikow’s desires into metal in less than a year and he could officially take delivery of the 612 Kappa at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. Five minutes after receiving the keys, he was already asking around how far away he was from the German Autobahns. Kalikow did stick around long enough to explain that Ferrari agreed not to copy any of the unique cues of the Kappa for future models.

The most striking detailing change at the front of the car is a rising air scoop that is sharply ridged right up the centre of the bonnet very much in the manner of the recent Pininfarina designed 550 and 575 M Maranello range of front V12-engined sportscars. The front grille also receives a distinctive chrome edging treatment. At the side of the car the 612 Scaglietti’s very distinctive long ’scallop’ treatment now finishes behind the front wheels leading into a large new air outlet. This has been carefully designed to blend into the whole flowing ’scallop’, rendering this styling feature now to be a purposeful addition to the sportscar’s airflow requirements. Inside the car a number of smaller detailing changes have been made to ’personalise’ the car to the new owners tastes.