Ferrari SP51 is the latest one‑off from Maranello

The difference between the SP51 and the 812 GTS is that the SP51 doesn’t have a folding roof, or any roof to speak of. This means the redesigned bodywork has been aerodynamically honed to work exclusively without the roof. The looks are modern, with the silhouette of the now five-year-old 812 updated with certain surfacing and graphic influences from the newer cars in Ferrari’s range. Those front lights are very 296 GTB.

Elsewhere there are lots of flowing contrasting carbon elements among the Rosso Passionale three-layer paintwork. Speaking of the colour, it’s been developed specifically for this car. The livery featuring a white and blue stripe is inspired by the 1955 Ferrari 410 S Scaglietti Spider chassis 0592M, which Carroll Shelby raced to victory at Palm Springs in 1956.

The exterior colours including the central stripe carry on through the cabin which, other than the loud colour scheme, is almost unchanged from the 812 GTS. The same carbon-backed sports seats are present, featuring blue Kvadrat inserts with white cross stitching, to match the livery.

As me mentioned, though, you can’t buy this car. It was designed for a loyal Taiwan-based client described by Ferrari as a ‘leading collector’. Indeed, you don’t get on Ferrari’s list of SP requests without being one of Maranello’s nearest and dearest. Is this the best Ferrari Special Project so far, or do you prefer the Omologata?