One to Buy: 1 of 1 Nero Opaco 2004 Ferrari Enzo (SOLD)
Although Ferrari originally stated that only three exterior colours would be available for the limited production Enzo (Rosso Corsa, Giallo and Nero) a handful of customers were ultimately allowed to choose from the marque’s full range of shades.
A small number of examples were thus finished in comparatively unusual colours. However, one truly special VIP, arguably Ferrari’s most important customer for approaching two decades, was able to commission a genuine one-off in a livery that had never been seen before.
That client was the Brunei Royal Family for whom Ferrari and Pininfarina had previously created a host of spectacular Speciales during a period when custom coachwork was otherwise practically non-existent.
Chassis 136069 was completed on October 15th 2004, five months after Enzo production had officially come to an end. It was uniquely painted Nero Opaco and pre-dated the current trend for matte shades by many years. The rest of the specification included Nero leather with matching carpets, large racing seats and red-backed instrumentation.
The car initially spent several years at one of the royal residences in London, after which it was exported to Brunei. Today, chassis 136069 has covered just 5730km and is offered by RM Sotheby’s fresh from a €110,000 refresh at Carrozzeria Zanasi (the official paint shop for all of Ferrari’s Hypercars, Tailor-Made editions and Icona series cars).
136069, arguably the most significant Enzo of all, will be auctioned via RM Sotheby’s sealed bid process between December 5th and 7th.
Reprinted below is RM Sotheby’s description for this one-of-one Enzo:
A major discovery in the Ferrari hypercar world
An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what could be the most significant Ferrari hypercar that few knew existed; the only Ferrari Enzo to be delivered new from Maranello finished in Nero Opaco (Matte Black)
Utilizing influence only available to a member of the Brunei royal family, this example was the first Ferrari hypercar ever delivered by the Factory in Matte Black, a former crown jewel in the largest collection of one-off Ferraris the world has ever known
The final naturally aspirated V-12 Ferrari hypercar, a halo model built in homage to company founder Enzo Ferrari
Long hidden away from public eyes, the odometer reading is just 5,730 km at time of cataloguing
A masterpiece of modern design and a technological tour de force, this one-off Ferrari Enzo will constitute the ideal centrepiece of a leading collection of Maranello greats
Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified
With a published production of just 400 examples ever built, the Ferrari Enzo is a rare and coveted hypercar that would take pride of place in any collection. Astute collectors will notice that chassis 136069 is an order of magnitude more special.
The Enzo was introduced at a time in Ferrari’s history when the color palate for road cars was still quite limited, especially compared to current Ferrari offerings. The vast majority of the examples were painted either red, yellow or black, with a handful of other cars selected in different shades of blue, silver, grey or white. While some of these colors were rare, it took very special influence and customer standing in order to be allowed to select a true one-off color during this era and it was only fitting that such a car was specified by a member of the royal family of Brunei, with a rich history in ordering factory one-offs and bespoke automobiles. With Nero Opaco (Matte Black) being one of the most popular Tailor Made colors in today’s market, it is nearly unthinkable that almost two decades ahead of its time, this Enzo was the very first Ferrari hypercar delivered new by the Factory in this striking color.
Construction began on 8 June 2004, with the finished car leaving Maranello’s workshops on 15 October. The groundbreaking hypercar was uniquely specified with Nero Opaco paintwork over a matching Nero leather interior with Nero carpets. This incredible triple black specification was further personalized with large-sized seats and Rosso instruments. The one-off car was kept at the family’s London residence, where it made the occasional fleeting appearance rolling with menace around the streets of Hampstead, Mayfair and Knightsbridge, before later being brought over to the Asia-Pacific region.
Recently the car has been subject to a cosmetic restoration by Carrozzeria Zanasi, the official paint shop for all of Ferrari’s Hypercars, Tailor-Made editions and Icona series cars. With receipts totaling over 110,000 €, Zanasi went through the cosmetics of the car extensively, replacing any necessary items such as the typical “sticky” switches, front and rear headlights, rear bonnet glass and a full repaint to the car’s magnificent original Nero Opaco, among a number of smaller items.
Following a long line of V-12-engined flagship models that included the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, 250 GTO and F50, the Enzo undeniably had big shoes to fill. But it didn’t just live up to expectations when it was unveiled in 2002—it forever raised the bar for all hypercars that would follow. A technological marvel in period, the passage of time has only crystallised the model’s importance in Ferrari’s history, cementing its significance by being Maranello’s final naturally aspirated, non-hybrid V-12 hypercar.
Among the vintage car space, royal provenance is considered extremely desirable and is often a big value differentiator for those vehicles lucky enough to grace the various royal garages. Famous names from the 1950s and 60s such as King Leopold and Princess Lilian De Rethy in Belgium, among a number of others, helped put Ferrari on the map with the world’s most elite collectors. With color and mileage typically being the two most important differentiators in the modern car marketplace today, it only makes sense that low-mileage Enzos boasting one-off color schemes are the most sought after, however, this Enzo is in a category of its own. With the combination of royal provenance, low mileage and a stunning specification only available for this client, this is an unrepeatable opportunity to buy the best.
