Rarity has always commanded a premium in the world of high-end automotive collecting, and the car in question in this discussion is no exception. While the age of naturally aspirated V12s comes to a close, a combination that is even harder to come by is a front-engine V12 paired to a manual transmission. When it comes to Ferrari in particular, this is a tradition that goes back decades, split between two-seat sports cars and four-seat GTs. Only a handful of modern-day Ferrari models can indeed deliver the thrill of piloting 12 cylinders with a three-pedal setup. As the last analog V12 grand tourers, these cars are emerging as the ultimate collectibles, with the charge being led by the 599 GTB Fiorano, as the last V12 Ferrari manual.
Ferrari’s Final V12 Gated Chapter
When the 599 GTB made its debut in 2006, it became the Italian marque’s flagship two-seater Grand Tourer and successor to the celebrated 550 and 575M Maranello, models from the Montezemolo era. Under that sculpted Pininfarina bodywork lies a 6.0-liter V12 based on the one used in the Enzo. Whereas it delivered 651 horsepower in the halo supercar, the output was detuned to a slightly lower 610 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque in the 599. The dash to 60mph was done in 3.7 seconds, and the top speed was 205 mph, big numbers for the time, but still impressive today.
And yet, it was the gearbox, or more precisely, the scarcity of a particular kind, that truly set the 599 apart. By the mid-2000s, Ferrari had mostly transitioned to the F1-style automated manual as standard equipment, promoting its lightning-fast shifts and ease of use. As a consequence, of the 4,000 Ferrari 599s made, only between 32 and 37 examples of the 599 were equipped with the six-speed gated manual, worldwide. This is something that has been confirmed by RM Sotheby’s, citing 30 were built, of which 20 made it stateside, while the remaining went to other markets.
Ferrari 599 Manual: A Fourfold Premium for a Third Pedal
Fast forward to more recent times, and that rarity has directly translated to more value. According to the Hagerty Valuation tool, a stock 599 GTB with the F1 transmission trades for anywhere between $180,000 and $200,000. Compare that to a 599 GTB equipped with the manual, and you’re looking at anywhere between $700,000 and $900,000, which is almost 599 GTO territory. A 2007 599 GTB Fiorano sold at Amelia Island in 2023 for $830,000. This is an almost three-to-four-fold premium, just for the gated box.
Besides the condition and originality, documentation is critical in this rarified market. If you’re looking for one of these models, you should be wary of aftermarket conversions. While it is technically possible to retrofit an F1-equipped 599 with a manual, and can be had for under $200k, such cars lack the collector cachet and investment-grade desirability of a factory-equipped manual. Even minor deviations from the original specifications can have a significant impact on valuations. If you are lucky enough to find an original 599 manual for sale like the one we have listed here, things like a Ferrari Classiche certificate further guarantee the authenticity of the vehicle. Beyond the 599, here are some more models that follow the cherished front-engined V12 Ferrari manual GT formula.
Ferrari 575M Maranello
Production Years: 2002–2006
Manual Production: ~246-400 units
Average Market Value (Past 5 Years): $256,494
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Production Years: 2004–2011
Manual Production: ~60-199 units
Average Market Value (Past 5 Years): $247,419
Source: Classic.com
Analog Icons Are Having a Renaissance
The soaring values of these Ferraris are no surprise and reflect a broader market trend: a growing backlash against the digitization of modern performance cars. While they’re immensely capable out of the box, the current crop of supercars lack the mechanical drama that you once got from these exotic cars, and for some, nothing can replace the evocative noise of a high-pitched V12, and the ability to row through the cogs themselves.
That nostalgia is now fueling a renaissance in the form of a growing culture for resto-modding. Boutique manufacturers like Touring Superleggera, the famed Italian carrozzeria, are keeping the spirit of the traditional V12 mold alive. The coach builder showed off the stunning Veloce V12 at last year’s Monterey Car Week, a limited-run car squarely aimed at the collectors yearning for an analog experience.
With just 30 units slated for production, the Veloce 12 features a bespoke aluminium body that builds upon the timeless lines of the already stunning 550. While this is a modern recreation, Touring has crucially retained the mechanical purity, thanks to the 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 paired with the gated manual, which inadvertently is an homage to grand touring Ferraris from the 1960s and ‘70s.
As Ferrari and the rest of the automotive industry move towards hybridization and electrification, the demand for gated V12 manuals will only continue to grow. These cars represent an irreplaceable moment in history when performance, beauty, and purity co-existed at the highest possible level, so we expect values to continue to grow over time.
Image Sources: RM Sotheby’s, Broad Arrow Auctions
FAQ
1. What was the last Ferrari V12 manual?
A. The 599 GTB Fiorano is the last V12 Ferrari manual.
2. How many Ferrari 599 manuals were made?
A. It is estimated that between 30 and 37 units of the 599 manual were built, with 20 coming to the United States.
3. Can you still buy a manual Ferrari?
A. No, you can no longer buy a brand-new Ferrari with a manual. All modern Ferrari’s feature an automatic transmission.
4. Is the Ferrari 599 a good investment?
A. Being a limited-run V12 Ferrari, the 599 can be a great investment. Factors like mileage, condition, and originality will impact its long-term value. Only around 30 units of the 599’s shipped with a manual, making them more collectible than automatics.
5. Is a Ferrari 599 manual conversion possible?
A. Yes, it is possible to retrofit a 6-speed manual transmission in a Ferrari 599.