Home » News » Ferrari » Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta based on 599 GTB Fiorano

After 14 months of development the Prancing Horse has revealed this one of a kind Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta which is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano model and was built for an American client.

This American client who is none other than Edward Walson, son of John Walson, the inventor of cable TV has contributed to the development of the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta and said he approached the Italian manufacturer in 2008 as he wanted a sports car based on the gold Ferrari which appeared in the 1968 short film Toby Dammit.

The Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta designed by Pininfarina and built in Maranello has received a strengthened chassis as the donor car was a coupe and meets all safety requirements and is road legal.

Ferrari press release :

The first shake-down has been held at Fiorano of a very special one-off, the P540 Superfast Aperta, built for an American client. The car, the second in a new Special Projects programme created by Ferrari to meet requests from the most discerning clients and collectors to create truly unique models, is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano and was inspired by a Carrozzeria Fantuzzi-designed Ferrari built specifically for the 1968 Fellini film, Toby Dammit, itself inspired by one of the tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

The P540 Superfast Aperta's proud new owner, Edward Walson, son of John Walson, the inventor of cable TV, approached Ferrari in 2008 to produce a modern reinterpretation of the gold-coloured car in

the film. "I had always dreamed of designing sports cars," Walson explains, "and when I saw this film the decision came of its own accord: one day I would have 'my' Ferrari."

In accordance with the Special Project's approach to producing such individual one-offs, the P540 Superfast Aperta respects all existing international safety and homologation requirements and is thus road legal. The car was designed by Pininfarina and built in Maranello, and the client was directly involved in each stage of its development. As the 599 GTB Fiorano donor car is a coupé, considerable effort went into strengthening the chassis by using finite element analysis in development and the increase in weight was kept down to just 20 kg by employing carbon-fibre extensively. From the initial sketches to the final, road-legal car took just 14 months.

As the client took delivery of the car at Fiorano his excitement was understandable: "This is the most special Christmas present of my life."

Technical specifications

    * Length 4731 mm
    * Width 1954 mm
    * Height 1300 mm
    * Wheelbase 2750 mm
    * Front track 1690 mm
    * Rear track 1620 mm
    * Engine
    * 65° V12
    * Displacement 5999 cc
    * Maximum power 456 kW (620 CV) at 7600 rpm
    * Maximum torque 608 Nm (62 kgm) at 5600 rpm
    * Transmission
    * F1 6-speed gearbox
    * Tyres
    * Front 245/35 20"
    * Rear 305/35 20"
    * Fuel consumption
    * Combined cycle 17.9 l/100 km
    * CO2 emissions
    * Combined cycle 415 g/km

Curiosity

This special car's colour was inspired by the film "Toby Dammit", one of the three episodes of the film "Histoires Extraordinaires" made in 1968 based on stories by Edgar Allan Poe.

"Toby Dammit", the third of the three episodes, directed by Federico Fellini, with Terence Stamp Salvo Randone and Milena Vukotic, based on the story "Never Bet The Devil Your Head".

The other two episodes, "Metzengerstein" and "William Wilson", were directed by Roger Vadim and Louis Malle.

Tools
Add this page to your online bookmark site:

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Fields marked with * are required
Name *:
Email *:
Comment *:
Code *:
  CAPTCHA
  • Email
  • YouTube
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • facebook
  • feedburner

Related Specs

  1. 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

    Engine: Aluminum Alloy V12, Power: 455.6 kw / 611 bhp @ 7600 rpm, Torque: 607.41 nm / 448 ft lbs @ 5600 rpm
  2. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Daytona Prototype

    Engine: One-Of Tipo 243 V12 w/Dry Sump Lubrication, Twin Spark IgnitionN/AN/A
  3. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Speciale

    Engine: Tipo 213 V12 w/Dry Sump Lubrication, Power: 223.7 kw / 300 bhp @ 7600 rpm, Torque: 255.0 nm / 188.1 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm
  4. 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione Spyder

    Engine: V12, Power: 264.7 kw / 355 bhp @ 7500 rpmN/A
  5. 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider

    Engine: Water-Cooled V12, Power: 263.2 kw / 353.0 bhp @ 7500 rpm, Torque: 432.51 nm / 319.0 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm

New Vehicles

Mitsubishi i-MiEV European spec
The European spec version Mitsubishi i-MiEV is scheduled to debut at this year's edition Paris Motor Show, and this new version will be part of 12 vehicles ...

Concept Cars

Nissan Ellure concept announced
The Japanese company has announced its vehicle lineup for the 2010 Los Angeles Motor Show which will include three world debuts. The 2010 L.A. Motor Show ...

Custom Cars

Vorsteiner Porsche 911 Turbo
The North American tuner has launched their latest aerodynamic upgrades for the Porsche 911 Turbo which are offered inside a kit called the V-RT. The ...

Green Autos

Infiniti M Hybrid and IPL G Coupe
Nissan has also announced the new Infiniti models that will premiere at the 2010 Los Angeles Motor Show in November. On November 18th, visitors will get ...

Future Cars

2012 Mazda6 info
More news coming from the British press, this time referring to the 2012 Mazda6 which will come with many new features if comparing to the current generation. ...

Market News

Volkswagen Touran UK price
The German automaker is announcing the 2011 Volkswagen Touran price for UK as the newly launched MPV is now available for order to customers in Britain. ...

Gadgets

EDAG Light Car - Concept for Geneva
Edag - the German design firm, has just prepared an all new concept packed with new technologies for the 79th Geneva Motor Show edition. It is called ...

Various News

Top Gear the Video Game
According to a recent news that surfaced the web, BBC is preparing to star Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on platforms like mobile phones, ...

Videos

Video: Skoda Fabia VRS review
Autocar has taken the small, yet pretty powerful Czech hatch, the Skoda Fabia VRS for a test drive, and as usual posted their review video online. Powered ...