TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS MORE A sublime Scaglietti makes a fine, rapid people carrier
Four-seat Ferraris frequently get something of a cold shoulder. Remember the 400 and 412? Despite glorious naturally aspirated V12s and the option of a manual transmission, the angular 2+2s never managed to attract as much attention as their two-seater counterparts.
It’s only in recent years that these GTs have started to appreciate in a more notable fashion, spurred on in part by rising Ferrari values and increasing rarity. Reportedly, to put things in perspective, the total number of 365 GT4 2+2s, 400s and 412s built comes in at around 3000. For comparison, in excess of 12,000 Ferrari 308s were built. This disparity between two- and four-seater production continues to this day – and although the more spacious, professional and family-targeted Ferraris aren’t as celebrated, they are not devoid of appeal. ‘I’ve seen increasing demand for 2+2s,’ says Mike Wheeler of Ferrari specialist Rardley Motors. ‘We have buyers that have young families and they want something they can go out in together – to Goodwood or similar. The market has expanded.’
Take the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, which arrived in 2004, for example; its 5.7-litre V12 put out a melodic 532bhp and 434lb-ft. Even though the car tipped the scales at nigh-on 1900kg, it could-dispatch the0-62mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds. Flat out, it’d hit 201mph.
Like Ferrari 2+2s of old, though, just 3025 of theseheavy-hitting612swerebuilt – and only some200 right-hand-drive ‘F1A’ semi-automatic variants and 20-odd manuals came to the UK. The two-seater F430, launched the same year, outnumbers it terrifically – in the UK alone, 1165 F430s are still on the road.
New, a 2004 612 Scaglietti F1 A would have cost around £180,000. These days, a low-mileage example will command around £65,000. Even though values have started to creep upwards in the past few years, There are still bargains to be had; a 38,000- mile 612, which had been maintained properly, recently sold for £48,400 at auction. Like the earlier 2+2 models, expect interest to begin to climb more rapidlyas these cars age. The big, naturally-aspirated V12 only goes to further add to the allure of these luxurious GTs.
The manual versions command a premium, predictably – often costing north of £100,000 – but the more affordable semi-automatic F1 variants shouldn’t be overlooked; most complaints about their single-clutch automated manual are often due to a lack of familiarity with the way the transmission works. It’s otherwise reliable, swift and ideal for open-road motoring.
‘As time goes on, there will be more people wanting an automatic than a manual, as the kids today are often learning on an automatic,’ says Wheeler. ‘Earlier this year, we had two buyers who wanted their kids to be able to drive the car so, it had to bean F1 as they’d learned on an automatic.’
‘A 38,000-MILE 612 RECENTLY SOLD FOR £48,400 AT AUCTION’
A gently appreciating, useable super-coupe
Buying a used Ferrari is never a casual decision, but fortunately there aren’t many 612 pitfalls. ‘By and large, they were bought by professionals, so the cars tend to be well specified and well looked after,’ says Wheeler.
Originality and evidence of proper maintenance are key. Later cars are generally more desirable and valuable. Make sure the cambelt is in date, too – it’s due every five years or 30,000miles; changing it will cost around £2200.
Expect to pay around £800 for an annual service on a 612.
