The Ferrari 599 succeeded its predecessor, the 575, in the summer of 2006 and brought the front-engined V12 Grand Tourer into the modern age.

Whereas the 550 and 575, even at their introduction, always felt like modern classics, the 599 was every inch a new-age Ferrari.

The all-aluminium chassis, F1 SuperFast gearbox, F1-Trac stability and traction control, magnetic semi-active dampers and carbon-ceramic brakes, all wrapped in aggressive, aero-optimised bodywork with minimal overhangs and maximum presence was a mission statement.

Top billing, though, went to the engine - a lightly modified version of the Enzo's 6-litre V12 with a mighty 611bhp at 7,600rpm, endowing Ferrari's new series-production flagship with truly sensational performance with 0-62 in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 205mph.

Of the 3,500 Ferrari 599 GTB F1 Fioranos produced globally, the United Kingdom’s share, as is the norm with right-hand drive Ferraris, amounted to under 10% of the total production.

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