A Supercar That Broke Its Own Mold
At Monterey Car Week 2025, Ferrari unveiled the final and most exclusive version of its Daytona SP3: a one-off Tailor Made creation dubbed the “599+1.” Designed specifically for this auction, the car debuted with an exposed carbon-fibre and Giallo Modena finish, highlighted by the first full-length Ferrari logo ever applied to one of its supercars. This car was never intended to exist in the official run of 599 SP3s, making it an entirely unique expression of design and exclusivity.
The Daytona SP3 had already achieved cult status among collectors. Limited to 599 units, powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine, and priced around $2.25 million, the car was offered only to select Ferrari clients before production began. The 599+1 took this exclusivity further, existing outside the series and offered just once. It was not merely a Tailor Made customization but a singular entity in Ferrari history.
When the gavel struck at RM Sotheby’s, the final bid reached an extraordinary $26 million. This figure shattered auction records and instantly made the 599+1 the most expensive new Ferrari ever sold. It was a sum that reflected not only the car’s engineering and design but also the desire of a collector determined to ensure no one else would ever own it.
Where Exclusivity Meets Generosity
The sale of the 599+1 carried more than financial weight. Ferrari directed every dollar of the $26 million hammer price to the Ferrari Foundation, which funds global educational initiatives and community programs. What began as the ultimate showcase of exclusivity became a philanthropic act, blending the worlds of ultra-luxury and social responsibility.
Ferrari itself donated the car for the auction, turning the moment into a convergence of heritage, charity, and prestige. The sale represented the final chance to own a brand-new Daytona SP3, magnifying the emotional intensity of the event. For the winning collector, the purchase was not just about acquiring a car but about securing a one-of-one piece of Ferrari’s narrative while also supporting a charitable cause.
This combination of rarity and generosity elevated the sale into more than a transaction. It became a public milestone, where a car that could have been a private indulgence became a symbol of both personal triumph and global impact. The collector’s prize was not just mechanical art but also a role in shaping Ferrari’s philanthropic legacy.
The Architecture of Desire
The 599+1 is more than a car; it is a meditation on the meaning of exclusivity. Built as part of Ferrari’s Icona series, the Daytona SP3 drew inspiration from legendary mid-century prototypes such as the P3 and P4. With its V12 power and targa design, the original model was already celebrated as one of Ferrari’s purest expressions of heritage. The 599+1 amplified that legacy, transforming it into something unrepeatable.
Financially, the result was staggering. While a standard Daytona SP3 might command $5 to $6 million on the secondary market, the 599+1 soared to $26 million. That tenfold increase underscored the value of singularity in the world of elite collecting. It was not simply about performance figures or materials, but about the symbolic weight of owning something truly unattainable.
In the end, Ferrari and the winning bidder created a moment that transcended auctions and automobiles. The 599+1 became an icon of desire, a story where obsession, philanthropy, and artistry intersected. It is destined to circulate in automotive legend, not as just another limited Ferrari, but as the one that could never be replicated and that carried with it a price tag worthy of its place in history.