Would You Park Maserati’s Modern Supercar In Your Garage?

Photography Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The Enzo. What is there to say that you petrolisti don’t already know? The flagship Ferrari was so good, the marque had the guts to name it after its founding father, but I suppose it had good reason to do so. Like the Enzo’s monetary value, its performance figures have a lot of monumental numbers, like: zero to highway speeds in 3.7 seconds, a 218 mph top speed, and 650 horsepower from a DOHC 48 valve naturally aspirated V12 housed in a 3,000 pound package. For some, though, it just wouldn’t do.

Don’t forget, the Enzo’s Pininfarina-designed carbon fiber body is stuffed with Formula One technology, despite being designed to be a street car first and foremost. In fact, the Maranello masterpiece never raced for Ferrari. Of the lucky few eligible to purchase new/wealthy enough to buy second hand, most aren’t taking their super steed to the track, let alone racing wheel-to-wheel. That’s a bit like having a record breaking hot-blooded thoroughbred locked up in the stable, only to be ridden on Sundays to the country club.

Still, like I said, the Enzo isn’t for everyone. Its closest rival, the 2005 Maserati MC12 you see here, is kind of like the supercar the world didn’t know it needed. Let me explain.

After financially rebounding in the early to mid 2000s, Maserati wanted to offer a supercar that donned the chrome trident. Seeing as Ferrari and Maserati were both owned by Fiat, Maserati convinced the bean counters to use the Enzo as a base to build upon—a bold move. Trying to improve upon the world’s greatest super car is like trying to better the perfect cocktail… you’ll likely mess it up.

So, instead of tinkering with the Enzo’s perfect underpinnings and powertrain, the engineers at Maserati focused on aerodynamics. With Frank Stephenson assigned as the design lead (who you can also thank for McLaren’s current lineup), an all-new bespoke body was molded. The result was an even more hardcore low-drag supercar. The large body integrated a rear wing and elongated nose, equating  to downforce far greater than the Enzo’s. Despite its carbon construction and Le Mans car-like aero, a removable targa roof was added for added experience.

Maserati initially intended on baking an exclusive batch of just 25 cars but after overwhelming customer demand, an additional 25 MC12 were built for a total of just 50—making it one of the most exclusive supercars of the 2000s. Every MC12 road car was handmade and finished in the iconic blue and white color scheme seen here.

Like the Enzo, was it too rare to risk racing? Nope!

Maserati further developed three MC12 to create GT1-spec race cars for contest. These cars were entered in the FIA GT and GT1 World Championship and proved to be quite successful. All in all, the mighty Maserati MC12 earned six team championships, two Manufacturers Cup titles, six Driver’s Championships, four FIA GT Championships, one Italian GT Championship, and finally one GT1 class win.

This road going MC12 was purchased new from a Mr. Magnon to be added to the Riverside International Automotive Museum collection. Mr. Magnon consigned Classic Coach Repair Inc. of New Jersey to import the car into United States under the federal Show Or Display exemption rule. Although eligible with limited use, Mr. Magnon never registered the car for road use. Instead, this MC12 gained the majority of its 6,000 accumulated kilometers where it was meant to be driven: on track.

Most of the car’s outings were for Maserati Club or concours events hosted at the Pocono Raceway and Laguna Seca. The car was regularly driven between events around the museum’s industrial park in order to maintain good working order. According to accompanying files, the car received a new windshield in 2008, and a brand new powertrain.

These cars don’t trade hands often. With only 50 examples produced, here’s a rare chance to best the neighbourhood Enzo enthusiast.

History
– One of 50 MC12 produced
– Member of the Riverside International Automotive Museum

Specifications

~630 horsepower, 5,998-cc DOHC 65-degree V-12 engine, six-speed Cambriocorsa paddle-shift transmission, front and rear suspension with double wishbones, steel dampers, and coaxial coils and springs, and four-wheel Brembo cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes. Wheelbase: 110.2 in.

Vehicle information

Chassis no.: ZAMDF44B000016977

Valuation

Auction house: RM Sotheby’s
Estimate: Upon Request
Price realized: Auction on August 19 – 20