2005 FERRARI 612 SCAGLIETTI - MANUAL GEARBOX

This Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is an exceptionally rare grand tourer, presented in a desirable factory colour scheme, and with low mileage. Under the bonnet is the 5.7-litre ‘Tipo F133’ V12 engine, producing 532bhp, coupled to the open-gate six-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows 31,500 miles from new.

Fewer than 300 examples of the 612 Scaglietti were imported to the UK, and less than 10% of customers opted for the open-gate transmission. It is believed to be one of just 23 manual gearbox cars sold in the UK, and as such it represents a remarkably rare variant of the high-performance grand tourer.

This car was first registered in June 2005, and there are eight previous registered keepers on the log book. It featured in the winter 2018 issue of Enzo magazine, where journalist John Barker pitched it against the 456 GT in a twin test feature article - and naturally where the 612 came out on top. The seller acquired the car in January 2020.

Its bodywork is in excellent condition, with no accident damage or dents, and with flush shut lines all around the car. The Nero Daytona paint finish is superb, with the seller reporting no blemishes or scratches. All of the body trims are in good order, and the car also features carbon-fibre Scuderia wing shields and wheel centres - though it is not known whether these were factory-fit items. The car rides on 19-inch split-rim alloy wheels, which are in great shape, complemented by red painted brake calipers.

The interior is upholstered in sumptuous beige leather, and the electrically adjustable and heated front seats have memory settings on both sides. The seat centres front and rear are embellished with the ‘Daytona’ style stripes, and the leather has minimal signs of wear. There are some light scratches and slight discolouration on the driver’s seat bolster, but otherwise the seats present superbly. A few small marks are also visible on the plastic trim beneath the infotainment head unit.

The car was fitted with the optional leather headlining from the factory, as well as rear parking sensors, and a yellow rev counter. The Becker head unit includes radio, CD changer, and satellite navigation functions, and there is also an aftermarket Parrot MKi9200 Bluetooth handsfree telephone system installed. The seller reports no electrical gremlins or switchgear faults, with everything working as it should.

The last scheduled maintenance was in January 2020 at 31,224 miles, carried out by specialist QV London. This consisted of a standard annual engine oil service, as well as a fresh MOT. The latter resulted in a clean pass with no advisories. Over the last seven years, covering some 6,000 miles on the road, the car has always passed at the first attempt with no defects or warnings noted.

Accompanying the car is the original tan leather wallet containing the official books, including the stamped guarantee and maintenance record. There are also two keys present.

Writing about the ‘proper’ manual 612 Scaglietti in the aforementioned issue of Enzo magazine, John Barker concluded: “The further you drive it, the more you appreciate what a complete joy it is to use. It's almost as if the manual gearbox engineers, seeing that this might be one of their last projects, decided to do a stellar job, to make a point, regardless of the fact that very few customers were likely to go manual and appreciate their efforts”.

This Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a stunning grand tourer, which boasts low mileage from new as well as a remarkably rare factory specification. If the idea of a naturally aspirated V12 mated to an open-gate manual transmission gets your pulse racing, then this is an opportunity not to be missed.

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.