Created for a Taiwan-based person, who is said to be one of the world’s “leading collectors” of Ferraris, the new Ferrari SP51 is a bespoke open-top roadster roadster based on the 812 GTS.
While the SP51 and 812 share a platform and drivetrain, and clearly come from the same stylistic mould, the SP51’s body is largely unique. About the only shared exterior components we can see are the wing mirrors, door handles, and tail-lights.
Although the GTS is a convertible hardtop, the SP51 is strictly an alfresco experience as there’s no roof at all.
With that mind, Ferrari says it spent a lot of time with its computational fluid dynamics simulations so the car would have the “ultimate in [cabin] comfort” while retaining the same “wind feel” of the 812 GTS.
The Maranello-based firm cleverly concealed the SP51’s rollover hoops under a carbon-fibre wing that straddles the car’s two flying buttresses.
Featuring a set of blue and white stripes that recall the 1955 Ferrari 410 S, the SP51 is finished in a specially formulated three-layer paint the automaker calls Rosso Passionale, and rides on a unique alloy wheel design with carbon-fibre wings on every spoke.
As with Ferrari’s other special one-off builds, the interior is largely carried over from the donor vehicle.
The SP51 does, however, feature faux suede trim in same shade of red as the exterior, while the white and blue used for the stripes have been carried over to the centre tunnel and the steering wheel stitching.
Other changes include blue textile inserts for the seats and dashboard, and plenty of glossy carbon-fibre trim. The SP51 badge and Ferrari prancing horse logo have also been embroidered in several places throughout the cabin, including the floormats, head rests, and centre tunnel arm rest.
Like the 812 Superfast and GTS, the SP51 has a naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 living under the long bonnet. Mounted longitudinally in a front midship position, the 12-pot develops 588kW of power and 718Nm of torque.
It drives the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
No performance claims have been made about the SP51, but the 812 GTS is able to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 340km/h.
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