Ever since Ferrari built the 365 GT from 1967-71, the company continued to explore larger 2+2 Gran Turismo designs in parallel with its signature high-performance two-seat Berlinettas.

Named for celebrated designer Sergio Scaglietti, the Ferrari 612 replaced the 1993-2003 456M in 2004 and represented a considerable leap forward, combining state of the art technology from both Formula 1 and the Enzo.

Ferrari replaced the 456’s sheet steel unibody with an aluminum spaceframe like the 360 Modena. Even though the 612 Scaglietti is bigger than the 456, it is 130 lbs lighter. The design features extruded spars joined by cast nodes and sheet stampings. Final construction was accomplished with self-piercing rivets or gas welding, instead of structural adhesives.

An F1 paddle-shifted sequential gearbox was offered and proved by far the most popular option, with gearshifts accomplished in 0.2 seconds. For traditionalists, a 6-speed manual unit was available, but of the 3025 examples of the 612 Scaglietti built in eight years, only 199 were ordered with the manual gearbox.

The proportions of the 612 are stretched from the 456M, with scalloped sides and extended hood. Aiming to improve the experience of any people who packed themselves into the back seat, the 612 has 2.8 inches more headroom in the rear and about a half-inch more knee room than the 456, along with 25 percent more luggage space.

The 612’s weight was split 46/54 front to rear, with the engine moved back; vastly improving handling from the 456’s 57/43 balance. The platform is also significantly stiffer and sits one inch lower to the ground. Bodies were built at the Scaglietti plant in Modena, then the powertrain was fitted at Maranello.

Power was provided by a development of the 5748-cc Type 133F 65-degree DOHC V-12 engine. It generates 532 bhp in the 612, enough for 0-60 mph in 4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 9.2 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds. Top speed is 199 mph and the 612 is reportedly six seconds quicker around the Fiorano test track than the 456M GT.

From 2007 the 612 was available with the latest SuperFast F1 dual-clutch semi-automatic gearbox with selectable gearshift settings and a manettino button (little lever), which enables drivers to set different performance options, depending on conditions. Another option was a photochromatic sunroof which could be set to different tints at the push of a button.

Ferrari introduced a One-To-One (OTO) personal program at the 2008 Geneva Car Show, enabling buyers to select everything from carbon-ceramic brakes in the GTC package to leather trim details. The OTO option began with the 612 but was extended to all models later.

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Berlinetta‘s base price (MSRP) was listed at $247,850 in 2004, increasing to $320,038 in 2011, its final year. There were a number of special editions over the years including, in 2006, the Cornes 30th anniversary edition (20 built for Japan); 40th anniversary GP Berne edition (9 built for Switzerland); Kappa (one only for U.S. collector Peter Kalikow); and 50th anniversary GG50 (one only for designer Giorgio Guigaro).

The year 2007 saw the 60th anniversary Sessanta (60 built for Italy) and also one police car for the UK. In addition there is also at least one shooting brake conversion, performed on a 2005 612 in 2018 by Vandenbrink in Holland.

While Ferrari Gran Turismo models depreciate far faster than 2-seater Spiders and Berlinettas, 2+2 maintenance costs remain the same. A pre-purchase inspection is mandatory. Beware of deferred maintenance and insist on complete service records or the check you write will merely be the first one.