Supercar special editions

If you already have a garage of off-the-shelf exotica, your next purchase needs to be something really special.

FERRARI SUPERAMERICA 45

THE most committed (and cashed-up) Ferrari aficionados build up a relationship with the brand through long association, and buying lots of cars. Ferrari knows them by name and likes to think of them as family. One such is New York real estate supremo Peter Kalikow, who has an impressive car collection that includes vintage Ferraris.

When it comes to buying something new for a special occasion, Kalikow likes to commission Ferrari's special projects department. Then it's a case of tell them what you'd like, and they'll knock one up.

This year, to mark 45 years as a customer, Kalikow took delivery of the Superamerica 45, a one-off set of wheels based on the 599 GTB. It was unveiled last month, like so many of these cars, at the annual Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.

The bespoke Superamerica 45 design features a rotating carbon-fibre roof, including the rear glass, which flips into the boot to turn the coupe into a convertible. This idea appeared on a version of the 575 Maranello, the predecessor to the 599 GTB, and was also called Superamerica.

Kalikow was also inspired by a car in his collection: a 1961 400 Superamerica cabriolet, which was an equally exclusive vehicle a half century ago. The bodywork and wheels of the 45 are painted the same blue to match. The car's carbon fibre elements, including the roof, body kit and much of the cabin, are in a contrasting darker blue. The chromed grille, burnished aluminium A-pillars, wing mirrors and door handles are also unique.

Changes to the bodywork include rear buttresses integral with the rear wheel arches and air vents in the front wings, while the boot had to be redesigned to fit the roof.

Ferrari says nothing about what's under the bonnet of this car, but a standard 599 GTB is powered by a 456kW 6.0-litre V12.

Kalikow is no stranger to customised Ferraris, having previously ordered a special version of the 612 Scaglietti, the brand flagship that recently made way for the FF.

Ferrari doesn't reveal the price of these cars but its best-known special project recently was the P4/5 from 2006, a Pininfarina design based on the Enzo supercar. It was a one-off ordered by US financier James Glickenhaus that reportedly cost $4 million.

ASTON MARTIN V12 ZAGATO

ITALIAN specialist Zagato has been in the bespoke design and production business for more than 90 years and its long association with elite brands extends beyond its homeland to take in the racier badges from Britain.

Its most recent car is the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, which was built to mark the 50th anniversary of the first project between the two, the DB4GT Zagato of 1961. Only 20 of those cars were made and it has spawned many replicas. DB4GT originals have become very collectable and fetch millions of dollars.

The modern reinterpretation of the DB4GT starts life as the Vantage, Aston's junior sports car, in its most extreme form with a 380kW, 5.9-litre V12 under the bonnet. Like that car, it features a limited slip differential and carbon fibre propeller shaft, but it drives through an automated six-speed manual instead of a traditional manual.

Most noticeably, the bodywork is all bespoke and handcrafted out of aluminium using traditional techniques and body bucks. To make the double-bubble roof alone takes five pieces of aluminium, joined and shaped into one flowing form. The front wings need seven pieces each.

Like the DB4GT, the V12 Zagato will go racing, with an appearance planned for the last weekend in June at the Nurburgring 24-hour race in Germany. The V12 Zagato in race trim has reduced weight and retuned suspension as well as a 120-litre fuel tank, rollcage and huge rear wing.

At the car's debut at the Villa d'Este concours last month, it scooped the prize for best design. Company chief executive Ulrich Bez was encouraged: “Based on the reactions of our customers to this race car, we hope to offer a road-homologated V12 Zagato in a small, limited number as soon as possible.'' According to Aston insiders, there's at least one Australian in the queue to buy.

ALFA ROMEO TZ3

THE takeover of Chrysler by Fiat is already throwing up some oddities, including a whole line-up of Lancias that are little more than rebadged versions of American cars. And that's just the start.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo last year, former race partner Zagato designed the TZ3, named for the TZ race cars that campaigned in the 1960s. Built for German collector Martin Kapp, who owns TZ originals, the TZ3 first appeared as the Corsa at the Villa D'Este showpiece in Italy last year.

Designed for lightness, it's built on a carbon fibre monocoque with a hand-formed aluminium body. Under the bonnet is a 4.2-litre V8 driving the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox. With a kerb weight of just 850kg, it can reach 100km/h in 3.5 seconds.

As its name suggests, the Corsa was designed as a track car, and it's unique.

Production of the TZ3 Stradale, which followed this year, will run to nine examples and it shares many design features with the Corsa, including the aerodynamic tail shape that was pioneered by the 1960s TZ racers. But the Stradale is fundamentally different.

Its body is formed from carbon fibre and underneath sits the chassis from the most extreme form of Dodge Viper, Chrysler's blue-collar supercar.

Power comes from the Viper's monster 450kW 8.4-litre V10.

Unlike the Corsa, the Stradale is road legal and, in effect, the first American Alfa Romeo. Suitably enough, the first example went to collector Eric King in the US.

Meanwhile, Chrysler and Fiat are denying that future production versions of the Viper will share mechanicals with Alfa. Although worse things can happen, as Lancia can attest.

Read more about prestige motoring at The Australian.