2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1

Long before Ferrari began churning out mid-engined track rockets, they’d mastered the art of producing ballistic inter-continental GT machines of unequalled poise, pace and pedigree.

The 612 Scaglietti is undoubtedly one of the best among an already very impressive pantheon of front-engined cars from the Modena magicians.

We’re pretty sure Enzo would have approved.

It is in very decent all-round condition and benefits hugely from having had a number of expensive routine jobs carried our recently (so you don’t have to).

The cambelts were changed as part of a major £10,000 service 1,650 miles ago courtesy of marque specialists Shiltech of Loughborough.

Shiltech have been responsible for most of the car’s maintenance, repair and servicing during the vendor’s tenure of ownership, and the vendor has parted with considerable amounts of money in entrusting them to do a thorough job on each and every occasion.

Other recently completed jobs include the skimming of all four discs; refurbishment of the wheels (with new centre caps) and the fitting of new Pirelli P-Zero tyres all-round; new front springs; new handbrake cables; two new brake pipes; and new front wheel bearings.

You’ll also be relieved to hear that the dreaded ‘Shrinking Dashboard Leather Syndrome’ that so often blights these cars and their 456 predecessors has been dealt with once and for all, with the whole dashboard top recovered in original factory leather and finished with the correct, contrasting stitching.

The vendor, who has owned the car since 2019, tells us that the clutch is showing 40% wear, which means it should be good for another 20,000 miles of vigorous driving, or rather more if you’re a little gentler in your driving style.

The car starts on the button and performs as it should. 

In other words, it is a sublimely capable and effortlessly classy GT car and one that will never fail to make you feel decidedly special whenever you’re behind the wheel.

We noticed a squeak/rattle emanating from somewhere behind the dashboard.

We know not what it is or where it might be.

There’s no doubt about it, this is a very good-looking car.

The bodywork on this example is straight and true, and there are no dimples, dinks or dents of any note anywhere that we can see. 

The shut-lines and panels gaps are consistent and even throughout.

The Nero metallic paintwork is very decent overall, but black is the most unforgiving of colours and there are a few light swirly scratches and polishing marks in evidence here and there. 

No doubt the car would benefit from the attentions of an expert machine polisher and the application of some efficacious remedial products.

There is some road rash to be found on the offside sill and adjacent to the o/s/r wheel. 

We also noted some stone chips and scuffs at the bases of the wing mirrors; a few stone chips around the front bumper and the ’nose’ of the car; some paint chips to the rear edge of the driver’s door; a scratch above the n/s/f wheel; and a couple of spots of nascent blistering at the tops of the doors and ‘C’ pillars.

The refurbished wheels appear to be wholly unacquainted with kerbs or other roadside obstacles. They are shod in new Pirelli P-Zero rubber. 

The car’s badging, lights, lenses and other exterior fixtures and fittings all appear to be in very good condition.

The interior is in very decent condition even for the car’s low mileage, never mind its age.

The ‘Cuoio’ tan Daytona-style leather upholstery has barely anything more than a few light creases to show for its years of service, and the seats, front and back, are as firmly supportive as they are invitingly comfortable.

The rear seats, entirely unsurprisingly, look as if they’ve rarely been called to do much more than support the weight of a coat or a hat.

The door cards are decent, save for the odd light scuff here and there, as is the headlining.

Having been recovered and therefore cured of its tendency to shrink, the dashboard top is in fine fettle.

The other bugbear of this era of Ferrari is, however, present: namely, the ‘Sticky Button Syndrome’ that manifested itself in a decade or so of cars from Maranello and Modena

We’ve certainly seen worse outbreaks of this particular malaise - 

we’ve been in some Maseratis and Ferraris of a similar vintage where we’ve had to prise our glued hands away from the centre console - and we know that there are countless affordable and proven ways of addressing the problem.

We’re sure you’ll be able to find one that works for you.

The carpets and mats are decent, both in the cabin and in the boot, which contains a car cover and a full, unused tool-kit in its leather case.

As far as we’re aware, all dials, gauges, buttons, switches and knobs (sticky or otherwise) do what they’re supposed to do without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

The handbrake doesn't seem to depress properly, with the result that the dashboard warning light is inclined to stay on and emit the occasional ‘beep’.

The surround to the ashtray is broken off, the light switch has developed a slight rattle, and there are a few scratches and scuffs to the steering wheel leather. 

Those minor foibles aside, it’s all in pretty good nick. 

The engine bay is clean, dry and orderly, with everything seemingly in its right and proper place – both on and ancillary to Ferrari’s magnificent V12 masterpiece.

Some of the red crackle-finish paint on the cam covers has peeled away.

The undersides of the car look reassuringly sound and solid, as befits a car that the vendor has always kept warm and dry in a garage and never used in winter. 

Nothing we’ve seen has given us any cause to frown, shake our heads or tut.

The car comes with its full and original book pack, including a service book that’s generously peppered with stamps from main dealers and specialists.

Copies of bills and invoices from Shiltech cover work carried out during vendor’s ownership.

In addition to a V5C and a clear HPI report, the car boasts an MoT certificate - with no advisories whatsoever - that’s valid until 23rd June 2027.

Low mileage example?

Tick.

Loadsamoney spent recently on cambelts, maintenance, servicing, etc?

Tick.

Good service history?

Tick.

Dashboard leather sorted out?

Tick.

Comes with a very cool private number plate?

Tick.

Well, as you may by now have guessed, this splendid 612 Scaglietti F1 is ticking plenty of the right boxes for us.

Yes, there’s the odd cosmetic issue to consider here, and a sticky button or two to sort out there, but all the fundamentals seem sound to us.

We like it a lot.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £38,000 - £43,000. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.