One to Buy: 1 of 1 ex-Greg Whitten 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari
Having produced a line of super high end models during the 1950s and 60s, the apparent death of low volume coachbuilding and the difficult economic times that followed seemed to kill off demand for ultra expensive limited run Ferraris.
When Ferrari conceived the 288 GTO during the early 1980s, the plan was to build the 200 cars required for Group B homologation so that a racing version could take to the track. Somewhat unexpectedly, demand for the GTO proved so great that the planned production run quickly sold out and a substantial number of extra cars had to be built.
With this money spinning success and Group B circuit racing’s failure to get off the ground, Ferrari decided to use the 288 competition version (the GTO Evoluzione) as the basis for a successor model: the F40.
The F40 proved an even bigger commercial success and was replaced a few years later by the F50 which homologated a trick V12 engine that found its way into the 333 SP racing car.
The F50 was in turn followed by the Enzo and, in 2013, Maranello created their fifth generation super special: the LaFerrari.
Equipped with a 6.3-litre hybrid V12 that pumped out a formidable 949bhp, the LaFerrari utilised an all-carbonfibre construction and state-of-the-art technologies throughout.
The entire production run of 499 cars was sold out before the first customer had taken delivery.
Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s auction at the Arizona Biltmore on January 26th is this uniquely configured example originally ordered by noted Ferrari collector, Greg Whitten.
Whitten specified Blu Elettrico paint with Crema leather upholstery, magnesium grey wheels, a gloss black roof and black brake calipers.
Today, this LaFerrari (chassis 207435) has covered a little over 3000 miles and is expected to realise between $4m and $4.5m.
Reprinted below is RM Sotheby’s description for this one-of-one LaFerrari.
Chassis no. ZFF76ZFA2E0207435
A singularly unique example of Ferrari’s first hybrid hypercar
Finished in Blu Elettrico over Crema leather, the sole LaFerrari clad in this vivid, dynamic color combination
Delivered new to noted Ferrari collector Greg Whitten via Ferrari of Seattle, Washington
Ferrari Classiche "Yellow" Book recently issued
Just 3,186 miles indicated at time of cataloguing
From the competition-oriented 288 GTO of the mid-1980s to the 40th-anniversary F40 model, the F50, and the Enzo, Ferrari has a revered tradition of creating landmark, limited-production supercars to commemorate heritage while reinforcing its identity as a boutique builder of nothing less than the most extraordinary sports cars money can buy.
By the early 2010s, a new breed of hybrid-electric hypercars from other manufacturers was challenging its status—most notably the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder. Tapping the spirit of competition that had served it so well on the track for 65 years, Ferrari duly met this challenge with yet another limited-production supercar, one that would dwarf its predecessors in power, technology, and scope. Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show, the new model was simply called LaFerrari—literally “The Ferrari.” When the media and enthusiasts eventually dissected the performance numbers, design, and engineering, it was difficult to argue with the model’s boastful name.
The heart of LaFerrari is a mid-rear-mounted, 6.3-liter V-12 engine directly lifted from the developmental FXX model. With an absurd compression ratio of 13.5:1, the V-12 developed 789 horsepower, redlining at a whopping 9,250 rpm. The 516 pound-feet of torque arrive relatively high, just shy of 7,000 rpm. An electric motor derived from the company’s Formula 1 Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) was installed in the rear, adding 161 horsepower, greatly improving response and acceleration at lower rpms. Power was routed directly to the rear axle alone, while a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle managed gear changes.
In total, the two powertrains combined for a head-spinning 949 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque, propelling the slippery LaFerrari to 60 mph from a standstill in as little as 2.4 seconds. The quarter mile arrived in 9.7 seconds at 149.2 mph, besting both the Bugatti Veyron and the Porsche 918. “It’s closer to driving an LMP car than, say, a 458 Speciale,” Road & Track writer Larry Webster after testing the LaFerrari.
The carbon-fiber tub is cured alongside those of the Scuderia’s Formula 1 cars, and the entire architecture is based around the driver’s seating position, which is 2.4 inches lower than that of the Enzo, with leather and Alcantara seating surfaces mounted directly to the floor and rear firewall. Accordingly, the pedals are adjustable, and the seat custom-padded for each individual buyer.
Ferrari’s in-house designer Flavio Manzoni penned the coachwork, which is beautifully low-slung and sleek while eschewing the brutal and somewhat angular styling of the Enzo. Electronically deployed active aerodynamic elements, including “smart” front and rear undercarriage panels, and a rear spoiler continuously attenuate downforce from between 200 and 800 pounds to maintain the car’s traction and composure at any speed. Mammoth cross-drilled and vented Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes and proprietary Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires complete the technical profile, keeping the LaFerrari grounded through screaming switchbacks.
Concluding production in January 2016, manufacture of the LaFerrari was capped at 499 examples, lending the model the degree of exclusivity expected of a top-shelf Maranello hypercar. Officially retailing for over $1.3 million, all 499 cars were purchased by preferred clients before the first LaFerrari was even completed.
LAFERRARI BLU ELETTRICO
This incredible and uniquely specified LaFerrari was ordered new by none other than noted marque enthusiast and collector Greg Whitten via Ferrari of Seattle, Washington. Whitten’s status as a Ferrari collector is nearly unrivaled and his carefully curated collection boasts everything from important and historically significant examples of Maranello’s most famous racing and sports cars, to tailormade renditions of their most exclusive modern offerings.
His superb curatorial sensibilities were most famously (and publicly) recognized in August 2018, when Whitten bestowed RM Sotheby’s with the distinct honor of bringing his 1962 250 GTO, chassis 3413, to auction. A truly exceptional example of the model, 3413’s hammer price secured a record $48.4 million—still the highest price ever achieved for a Ferrari at auction.
Residing at the innermost circle of Ferrari’s VIP ecosystem, Whitten and few others are instantly allotted order slots for the marque’s hottest and most exclusive new models, their custom specifications eagerly awaited by the factory and originating dealer.
Whitten selected this dynamic and breathtaking shade of Blu Elettrico over a timeless Crema full leather interior—it is the sole LaFerrari produced in this color combination. Aside from its dazzling color scheme, this unique LaFerrari is further enriched by a set of magnesium gray wheels housing black painted brake calipers, a gloss black roof, and headrests embroidered with the famous Cavallino Rampante image.
Delivered new to Ferrari of Seattle in December 2014, maintenance was the exclusive concern of the originating dealer until the car was acquired by the consignor in September 2021. Now in Colorado, this LaFerrari has been looked after by the consignor’s collection management company over the past 700 miles of exhilarating use and notably received a non-transferable “LaFerrari Power” extended warranty via Ferrari of Denver. Showing just 3,186 miles at the time of cataloguing, the consignor reports that it is completely “on the button” and performs superbly. Ferrari Classiche has recently issued a "Yellow Book" for the car; as of cataloguing time this book is enroute from Maranello and will accompany the sale.
Ferrari’s first foray into hybrid technology, the LaFerrari has quickly solidified its position in the upper echelon of modern hypercars. With its striking design and breathtaking performance, it is destined to be celebrated as one of the all-time great Ferraris built for the road, with this stunning, uniquely specified Blu Elettrico example among the very best ever to become available.
