One to Buy: 2008 Ferrari 599 GTZ Nibbio Spider
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Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006, the 599 GTB Fiorano was Ferrari’s second generation front V12-engined two seater from the modern era and replaced the long-running 550 / 575 which had been around in one shape or another since 1996.
Unlike any previous Ferrari Gran Turismo, the 599 was based around an aluminium monocoque instead of a traditional tubular steel chassis. It was powered by a six-litre 612bhp dry-sumped motor and buyers could choose from one of two six-speed gearboxes: an F1-style semi-automatic (fitted as standard) or a traditional manual shifter (optional).
Of the myriad upgrades available, arguably the most desirable was the Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione package (HGTE) which came with stiffer springs, recalibrated shocks, a thicker rear anti-roll bar, lower ride height, 20-inch wheels shod with grippier tyres, revised drivetrain software, a sports exhaust and additional carbonfibre.
Amazingly, of the 3500 599 GTB Fioranos built, only a reputed 30 were equipped with a manual gearbox and just a handful of these came with the HGTE pack.
In 2017, one of these was dispatched to Zagato for conversion into a GTZ Nibbio Spyder. That car, chassis 159626, is today on offer at the Girardo & Co. showroom in Oxfordshire.
One of just six Nibbio Spiders made and the only one built on the basis of a manual gearbox 599, chassis 159626 was completed in July 2019 after an exhaustive 18 month conversion process that involved a ground up rebuild.
Uniquely configured in Blu Zagato No.1 with aubergine upholstery, the car has covered minimal mileage since leaving Zagato’s Milan workshop and is offered in superb condition throughout.
