2005 Ferrari 575 GTC Coupe

The Ferrari 575 GTC was purpose-built to participate in the FIA GT Championship and made its debut at the end of the 2003 season at the Estoril FIA GT race, with an impressive victory over a pair of Scuderia Italia Ferrari 550 in second and third. Although the success could not be matched in the next few races, which is not uncommon considering the 575 GTC was a completely new racer, one thing the 575 proved to be immediate was the reliability.

In Ferrari circles the letter 'C' represents competizione, and the 575 GTC is the competizione version of the Ferrari 575M Maranello. The car's ability to cope and perform through the demands of the track as translated into the most reliable road version ever built.

The displacement of the 65-degree V12 was increased to 5997cc with a maximum power output of close to 605 bhp, and the car boasts a sequential shift. The track has been widened, the brakes increased in size and, thanks to the use of composite materials, the body was lightened. The tubular steel chassis featured boxed sections and the all-round wishbone suspension features adjustable damping, adjustable anti-roll bar and adjustable anti-dive geometry.

The car has a split rear wing with a nolder. This setup is the fruit of extensive aerodynamic research in the wind tunnel, something that was also carried out for the adjustable front spoiler and the undertray with its rear extractor.

Lengthy wind tunnel testing transpired into developing the 575 GTC's aerodynamics and the car sports a flat underbody with a rear diffuser to FIA/ACO regulations, and an adjustable front spoiler together with a split rear wing with a Gurney flap. Braking is by courtesy of Brembo with 6-pot calipers at the front and 4-pot calipers at the rear.

The Ferrari Corse Clienti department made numerous changes to the original version with the collaboration of the technical GT head, Maurizio Nardon. The aerodynamics were completely revised with the addition of a new splitter and air intake on the modified bonnet. These changes improve internal air flow. The engine was totally redesigned and, together with the new cooling tank, results in greater power and better handling. The current torque curve guarantees improved power management and the work on the steering column means that the new car is easier to point into curves and performs more smoothly when in them.

This example, chassis number 20, was one of the few examples to be built by the most acclaimed Ferrari competition coachbuilder of all time, Michelotto. Since the day it rolled out of the Michelotto factory, chassis number 20 has been surrounded by a veil of mystery, as it was quickly and quietly placed in one of the world's most prestigious collections, never to be seen in public again. To this day the vehicle remains pickled and preserved as the only factory new Ferrari 575M GTC in the world.