One to Buy: 123 miles from new 1 of 12 built 2006 Maserati MC12 Corse (SOLD)
In its first full season of competition (2005), Maserati’s MC12 secured both the FIA GT Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles.
Of the four FIA GT Championship races that fell to the MC12 in 2005, undoubtedly the most significant came at the season’s centrepiece event, the Spa 24 Hours, which took place from July 30th to 31st. On this occasion, the Vitaphone Racing entry of Eric van de Poele, Michel Bartels and Timo Scheider won by two laps from the JMB Racing sister car driven by Andrea Bertolini, Karl Wendlinger and Phillipp Peter.
It was the Vitaphone crew that also went on to take that year’s Teams’ title.
Following their satisfactory debut campaign and a no less impressive start to 2006, Maserati decided to offer an extraordinary MC12 track car based on the GT1 competition version.
Created in much the same vein as Ferrari’s Enzo-based FXX, the resultant MC12 Corse was built in a limited run and originally priced at $1.7m.
Like the FXX, the MC12 Corse offered customers the opportunity to run a front-line GT-style racing car at private track sessions. One prototype and twelve customer cars were built.
The key difference between the GT1 and Corse versions was that the latter did not need to comply with any specific regulations. Maserati were therefore able to remove the otherwise mandatory air restrictors and, with 756bhp on tap, the Corse became easily the most powerful MC12 ever built.
Going under the hammer at Bonhams’ Scottsdale auction at The Weston Kierland Resort & Spa on January 27th is chassis 003 of the twelve MC12 Corse customer cars. Configured in what is undoubtedly the best colour scheme for any MC12 (Blue Victory), chassis 003 is offered in as new condition having covered a mere 123 miles.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description for this incredible GT1-inspired Maserati super special:
VIN: ZAMDF44B000029626
One of only 12 built (Serial number 003)
Developed from the incredibly successful factory GT1 racer
Circa 123 'delivery' miles covered
Excellent cosmetic condition
Limited production track-only supercar
THE MASERATI MC12 CORSE
"In 2006, a limited-production series of vehicles was developed for private customers looking for the ultimate track experience. The MC12 Versione Corse, intended for non-competitive track use only, was derived from the MC12 GT1 racing car that won the 2005 FIA GT world endurance championship. It was neither road-legal, nor limited by the technical regulations for competing in international GT racing, and was the purest expression of a purpose-built track car with truly exhilarating performance. With 755 hp, the naturally aspirated V12 engine of the Versione Corse was more powerful than the units used in the Stradale road car and in the GT1 race car, since it was not limited by intake air restrictors mandatory for the latter. Weighing just a bit more than 2,500 pounds, acceleration from 0 to 124 mph (200km/h) took just 6.4 seconds. How many Maserati MC12 were made? A total of only 13 examples of MC12 Versione Corse were built: one prototype and 12 customer vehicles." – Maserati.
Maserati's MC12 was a limited edition 'homologation special' conceived with the sole purpose of providing the famous Italian manufacturer with a competitive car for international GT racing. Two batches of 25 cars each were built in 2004 and 2005 respectively, each batch with slightly differing specifications to meet FIA rule changes, for a total of only 50 cars. Styled by Maserati Centro Stile, the MC12 was based on the Ferrari Enzo, albeit larger overall, and used developments of the Enzo's normally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine and its associated six-speed automated manual gearbox. Maximum power output in Stradale specification was 621bhp. Performance figures of 0-100km/h (62mph) in 3.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 330km/h (205 mph) were claimed.
The MC12's monocoque chassis was constructed of carbon fibre and Nomex, with aluminium sub-frames front and rear. Suspension was by double wishbones with pushrod-operated coil spring dampers. Two suspension modes were available: 'sport' (road) or 'race' (track).
Its 'homologation special' status notwithstanding, the road going MC12 boasted a most luxurious interior combining carbon fibre, blue leather and silver 'Brightex', a synthetic material said to be 'too expensive for the fashion industry'. Nevertheless, Maserati were criticised at the time for not providing an audio system, or room to accommodate an after-market one, while other criticisms concerned the lack of a boot, rear window and spare tyre, but then the MC12 was never intended to be a serious Gran Turismo.
Rather, it did exactly what its maker intended, winning the FIA GT Manufacturers' Cup in 2005 by a comfortable margin over runners-up Ferrari, while the two teams running MC12s, Vitaphone Racing and JMB Racing, finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the Team Cup competition. Vitaphone would go on to win the Team Cup with the MC12 for the next four years, while MC12 drivers Michael Bartels and Andrea Bertolini would share 1st place in the Drivers' Championship in 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 2007 Maserati again secured the Manufacturers' Cup while Thomas Biagi won the Drivers' Championship. To say that the MC12 had been immensely successful would be somewhat of an understatement.
In mid-2006 Maserati unveiled the Corse, a $1.7 million track-only version of the FIA GT Championship-winning MC12 reserved for valued Maserati customers, who could use their new supercar on private track days. "This is a unique opportunity to own a car that is the reigning GT World Champion," declared Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. "The world-beating racing car was developed from the Maserati MC12 road car and the Corsa is derived directly from the GT1 racing car exclusively for track use. It will not be homologated for road use. Without doubt the MC12 Corsa is the ultimate track day car!". Despite this, it is known that of the MC12 Corse production, at least three cars have been converted for road use, offering an exciting potential avenue for the new owner of this example!
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Having covered a mere 123 miles, the MC12 Corse offered here, serial 003, has never even been driven by its current owner, and has spent its life in private collections. Finished in the Blue Victory paint colour celebrating Maserati's racing success. Of the 12 customer Corse models built, those three already mentioned have been converted to road use while a further three have been recorded as used by their owners on track. Of the remaining six cars, it is unlikely that many have covered as few miles, or are so original, as that offered here, which also comes complete with its crate of accessories. The plaque on the centre console reads "Maserati MC12 Commemorates the victory at its maiden long distance race, the 24 Hours of Spa, a first in racing history." – what better way to commemorate such a significant achievement than with a car such as this.
This car was inspected earlier this year by Ferrari Ontario, who replaced the fuel pump as well as other small tasks, and noted that it was in fine cosmetic condition (see invoice on file). Developed from one of the most successful GT racers of recent times, and rarer than its counterpart the Ferrari FXX, with only 12 MC12 Corses built (against nearly 30 FXXs), the Maserati MC12 Corse is unquestionably one of the most exclusive and collectible of modern Maseratis.
