For automotive enthusiasts of all stripes, the 21st century commenced with the promise of ever-increasing technological advances in service to a rising demand for supercar-grade performance. For Ferrari, that meant a successor to the remarkable F50, a Formula 1-inspired missile that held the distinction of being Ferrari’s most powerful road car ever. The result was the Ferrari Enzo; only 399 were built and only 70 made it to the U.S. market, including this soul-stirring 2003 example.

Ferrari’s racing fortunes were in the ascendent as development began on the Enzo in 1998, giving Maranello the perfect opportunity to again pour its F1 resources into this new ultimate sports/grand-touring machine. Answering Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo’s call, Pininfarina held an internal design competition that eventually produced the Enzo’s distinctive F1-style nose and eliminated a proposed rear wing in favor of a spacious and highly effective rear diffuser, the overall shape being rendered in carbon fiber and finalized in the wind tunnel.

The Enzo’s all-alloy 6.0L V-12 engine followed Ferrari F1 practice with electronic sequential-port fuel injection, a variable-length induction system, four overhead cams actuating four valves per cylinder and the first use of continuously variable exhaust timing. This first in a new generation of V-12 engines generated 660 HP at 7,800 RPM and 485 lb-ft of torque through a new paddle-shifted F1 automatic gearbox to a limited-slip differential. The Enzo’s electronically controlled all-independent suspension automatically controlled ride height in response to changes in downforce, and its stunningly efficient carbon ceramic disc brake system was an industry first.

Finished in custom-order Argento Nürburgring with Scuderia shields and riding on Bridgestone Potenza tires on silver center-lock alloy wheels, this 2003 Enzo’s butterfly doors open to reveal an unmistakably Ferrari interior lined in carbon fiber and fitted with Nero leather bucket seats with stitched Cavallino headrest emblems, a 10,000 RPM tachometer, air conditioning and an odometer reading of just 7,334 miles. While taking nothing away from its F40 and F50 predecessors, the Enzo has proven to be both an ultra-high performance sports car and a highly capable grand tourer in true Ferrari tradition.

This vehicle will be offered at MECUM Auctions annual Kissimmee Florida,  The World’s Largest Collector Car Auction®, along with almost 4,000 cars and thousands of Road Art items.  Taking place January 4-15, 2023.  View more cars and register to bid online at https://drive.mecum.com/kissimmee-2023.

 

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