A Symphony in Speed: Celebrating Ferrari's Diamond Jubilee in America
Right then, let's talk about the Ferrari F60 America. This isn't just any car—it's a dazzling, limited-edition spectacle designed to commemorate Ferrari's 60-year-long escapade in North America. Unveiled in 2014, this is the automotive equivalent of popping champagne on the Fourth of July. Ferrari wanted to remind us all of its deep-rooted love affair with American enthusiasts, and boy, did they deliver.
The F60 America takes inspiration from the iconic 1967 275 GTB/4 NART Spider. You know, the one created by Luigi Chinetti—the man who practically dragged Ferrari over to the New World by its scarlet tail. Chinetti wasn’t just a salesman; he was a Le Mans-winning legend who knew that Americans needed the thrill of Italian horsepower. Back in 1967, Chinetti's NART Spider roared across American roads, driven by the likes of Steve McQueen, who famously adored his Ferrari so much that he once tried to convince his wife to let him keep it as "family transportation." It's a blend of nostalgia and modernity, a salute to its illustrious past with the unmistakable Ferrari flair of today. The design, a joint effort with Pininfarina, features a rather dramatic 'diapason' theme along its sides, leading up to a front end that could only be described as classic Ferrari: big grille, lots of chrome, and intakes that practically inhale the road.
Now, let's pop the hood. Underneath that beautifully sculpted bonnet lies a beast—a 6.3-liter V12 that churns out 731 horsepower. It’s connected to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and it launches the F60 America to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds. Yes, it's absurdly fast. But honestly, would you expect anything less? It's the sort of power that makes your cheeks flap, and the wind scream with delight as you remind yourself that no roof means you're really in for it. It's the kind of thrill that Phil Hill, America's first F1 world champion, would have absolutely reveled in—Hill, who spent years wrestling V12 Ferraris around circuits like Monza and Spa, would have loved the roar and the open-top madness this car offers.
Step inside, and you'll see that Ferrari didn’t skimp on theatrics. The interior is split like a patriotic parfait—red leather for the driver, black for the passenger, as if to say, "This side's all about speed, mate, while you over there can just hold on." And let’s not forget the American flag subtly embroidered on the seat backrests. Oh yes, Ferrari wants you to know this one's special. The exterior continues that theme with classic NART livery—a nod to the racing heritage Ferrari cultivated on American soil, just in case anyone thought this was purely a vanity project. You can almost picture Dan Gurney behind the wheel, one of America's greatest, who famously drove Ferraris to victories in the 1960s, donning his helmet and ready to show the world what American grit paired with Italian engineering could do.
But here’s the kicker: they only made ten of these beauties. Ten! And each one of them cost $2.5 million. That’s right, all ten were snapped up before anyone else could even get a whiff of that brand-new Ferrari smell. Exclusivity? You bet. It's Ferrari’s way of saying, "We're building this for the ones who truly get it." Those die-hard collectors who probably have their own private tracks and won’t hesitate to remind you of it. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these ended up in Ralph Lauren's collection—after all, he’s known for his penchant for rare Ferraris, and this one certainly fits the bill.
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Ferrari F60 America 2015