2004 Ferrari 575 GTC Competizione

I’m told that four friends from Switzerland bought the car for $144,000 over the estimated price. What were these guys thinking?

by Steve Ahlgrim

Following the success of privately-entered 550 Maranellos in international GT racing, including an historic class win in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2003, Ferrari developed its own in-house evolution of the successful 575M Maranello, the 575 GTC Competizione Berlinetta.

Produced specifically for the FIA GT and GrandAm championships, the 575 GTC Competizione incorporated numerous modifications, starting with an increase in the displacement of the quad-cam V12 engine from the production car’s 5,748 cc to 5,997 cc by means of a longer stroke. Different camshafts and alterations to the Marelli engine management system saw power increase to 605 hp with the FIA regulation 31.8-mm inlet restrictors fitted.

Transmitting this power to the road was a 6-speed sequential transaxle transmission and triple-plate carbon fiber clutch. Given a long enough straight and with the tallest of the optional final drive ratios installed, a theoretical top speed of 208 mph was...