To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 17 - 18
January 2019.
Estimate:
$425,000 - $475,000
- Two owners from new; never raced
- Eligible for Ferrari's new Club Competizioni GT
- Regularly maintained and ready to be raced
Please note that this lot is offered on a Bill of Sale only.
The Ferrari F430 shared its aluminum chassis with the 360 that
preceded it, but its Pininfarina-penned styling charted a new
course for Maranello. The F430 channeled Ferrari's past designs
with taillights from the Enzo, Testarossa-like side mirrors that
stretched out from its A-pillars, and ducts integrated into its
sides and front fascia akin to 1960s Formula 1 cars. Pininfarina's
Frank Stephenson is credited with the F430's striking design.
Though its styling was eye-catching, the F430's big newsmaker at
its debut at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show was under its glass engine
cover. The F430 marked the first use of Ferrari's new dual overhead
camshaft, 32-valve V-8 engine, codenamed F136 E. The 90-degree V-8
was co-developed with Maserati, but Maranello's version got its own
180-degree flat-plane crankshaft. Chain-driven camshafts replaced
rubber belts in the automaker's previous eight-cylinder. The new,
modern V-8 was the first clean-sheet design for Ferrari in about
half a century. The new engine sent its approximately 490 hp to the
rear wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or the
automaker's six-speed F1 gearbox.
It did not take long for Ferrari's Corse Clienti department to take
the wraps off a GT2 racing version of the F430. Developed with
longtime racing partner Michelotto Automobili, the F430 GTC was
eligible for American Le Mans Series racing, the Le Mans Series,
the FIA GT Championship, and even the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The F430 GTC made use of a downsized 4.0-liter version of the new
V-8 in order to comply with FIA rules. The F430 GTC's engine was
rated at 470 hp, but its impressive power-to-weight ratio meant it
was significantly faster than the 550-hp F430 GT3. A six-speed
sequential-shift transmission put power to the wheels in rapid
fashion.
The F430 GTC featured a big rear wing with an integrated Gurney
flap to enhance the design's already impressive downforce plus
carbon fiber body panels to reduce weight. Race cars rode on 18-in.
center-lock lightweight wheels wrapped in Michelin racing slicks
rather than the 19-in. wheels with Pirelli tires on street cars.
While the road-going F430 debuted adjustable dampers could be
tweaked via a knob on its steering wheel, the F430 GTC's suspension
retained garage-only adjustment. Noting the difference between the
street F430 and the F430 GTC during a test at Miller Motorsports
Park in Utah in 2012, Road & Track wrote that the two Ferraris "are
like shades of red: in a similar family, yes, but totally
different."
The F430 GTC got off to a strong start by winning the FIA GT2
Manufacturers' Cup and Drivers' title in 2006 and 2007, the ALMS
GT2 Manufacturers' Title in 2007, and it won the GT2 class at Le
Mans in 2008. Ultimately, the F430 GTC made Ferrari a dominant
force in GT racing, and this has continued with the 458 GT2 and 488
GTE.
About 53 are said to have been built, including chassis no. 2604
offered here. While most F430 GTCs were used in competition, this
car has only ever been tested by Michelotto prior to delivery and
never raced. Built on 9 January 2008, this F430 GTC was among the
final examples built; a Ferrari Certificate of Origin signed by
then-CEO Amedeo Felisa is included and verifies its chassis and
engine numbers. When it was ordered through Corse Clienti, its
first owner selected the optional data acquisition system,
quick-refuel setup for its water and engine oil systems, and full
lighting for 24-hour competition. A letter from Cristiano
Michelotto detailing these additional features accompanies the car,
along with photos of every stage of the build.
It may not have been raced, but this F430 GTC is ready for
competition as it has been maintained and routinely started
throughout its life, as confirmed by an inspection by GTO
Engineering. Unlike many GT cars which have been raced hard for
several seasons and occasionally damaged, this example is �as-new'
with no stories and ready to be used by its next owner.
Painted dark blue and white with silver detailing, this F430 GTC
has a clean, elegant look. Its extensive lighting kit is evident up
front, with two sets of auxiliary lamps integrated into its front
bumper supplementing its headlights. The F430 GTC is in
factory-original condition inside with its integrated roll cage,
two OMP racing seats with a matching OMP three-spoke steering
wheel, and a full array of competition switchgear.
Ferrari has made the F430 GTC eligible for Club Competizioni GT
racing in 2019, which will include five events for GT cars from the
1990s until today. Eligible cars range from the 348 GTC to the 488
GTC, including the F430 GTC. The races are set to be at the Mugello
Circuit, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Fuji Speedway, the
Vallelunga Circuit, and an as-of-yet unannounced Finali Mondiali
event.
Whether its next owner chooses to race it in Club Competizioni GT
or preserve it for posterity, this F430 GTC represents an
unrepeatable opportunity to buy an �as-new' Ferrari GT car.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.