2003 Ferrari 575 GTC Stradale

The car on offer here is a 575 M Maranello from 2003 that has been modified to a GTC. As previously mentioned, the idea was not only to create a faithful replica of a GTC, but one that could be legally driven on public roads. The 575 features the same looks and engineering as the original Evoluzione version, but has that little extra advantage that you can drive it to the local supermarket, if that’s what you wish to do. The 575 GTC Stradale – the project name – received a variety of modifications that will all be detailed below and is possibly the purest Ferrari racer to ever receive license plates.

The outside of the original car has been heavily modified. The car received the following upgrades:

• Wider race car bodywork
• Lightweight polycarbonate windows
• An open exhaust system with side tailpipes
• Modified headlights
• Carbon spoilers at the front and rear
• Centre-locking OZ Superturismo magnesium wheels

It’s also worth to mention that the fuel filler has been modified to racing standards and a tow hook was added to the rear and front, as is required for track racing. This list could go on, but those are the most notable modifications and we think the pictures speak for themselves. The attention to detail of the build is truly remarkable. The original colour, classic Ferrari red, aka Rosso Corsa, presents well and gives the car an aggressive look. We are of the opinion that the various air intakes that have been added stand out particularly well with the red paint. The paint appears to be in very good condition with no major defects visible. The same can be said of the silver OZ wheels and the Michelin tyres fitted to them. The latter appear to be of recent production and should not need replacing for now. The carbon spoilers, particularly sensitive on bumpy roads are in very good condition and we could not make out major damages. For this to remain that way, we would advise the new owner to steer clear of underground parking lots…

The modifications do not stop outside; the whole interior has been modified with one thing in mind: racing! Open the doors, and you dive into a sea of carbon fiber. The door panels, originally trimmed with leather, are now made of carbon with a simple latch to open the door – lightweight construction at its best. The original seats, surely comfortable and sporty enough for a touring car, but way too heavy for a serious racer, have been replaced by Recaro racing seats with a four-point racing harness. The harness is fixed to the roll cage that has been mounted behind the passengers.

The black leather of the seats is slightly worn, but those are usual traces of wear that do not negatively impact the car’s appearance. The same shall be said of the middle console, dashboard and steering wheel. You see that it is not a brand-new car, but all traces of use are perfectly normal. Most importantly, this 575 does not appear to be suffering from detaching leather on the dashboard (usually due to exposure to sunlight) or sticky buttons, a most common issue on Italian cars from the early 2000s. While we cannot say whether this is because the interior received a light recommissioning or because of its rare use, it is pleasant news for any potential buyer. Given the minimalistic interior (who needs a radio when you have the soundtrack of a V12 with side pipes?), there is not much else to mention but the fact that only looking at the pictures risks making you want to go for a drive. You have been warned!

Open the massive hood (made of carbon fiber on our example), and you are greeted with the sumptuous V12 displacing 5.75 litres. The engine bay has been slightly modified with two open air filters and the addition of a carbon fibre panel at the front onto which the project name has been proudly engraved. The engine bay looks clean and tidy and we have nothing more to add.

The owner reports that an Intrax racing suspension is mounted to this example, giving the Stradale significantly sharper handling capabilities on road and track.

The 575 GTC Stradale on offer left the Maranello gates as a standard Rosso Corsa 575 over black leather interior in 2003. As most of these examples, it was fitted with the automatic F1 gearbox. The red Ferrari was sold new to Ms Susanne Hillmann from Stuhr in Germany via Tamsen GmbH and the data di consegna (despatch date) is specified as the 28th March 2003. The service manual mentions a cambelt replacement in 2007 by SA.MO Car SpA in Rome at 20.763kms, though it is unclear whether the car was at that time still owned by Ms Hillmann. In 2008, another service was done to the car, this time by LUEG sportive GmbH in Düsseldorf, Germany. The odometer read 23.757kms at that time. Another cambelt change was done in 2011 by Ferrari in Bayonne, France in February 2011 at 37.019kms. On 27th April 2011, the car was purchased by Mr Adrien Quoniam de Schompre from Neuilly, Paris. The French owner subsequently had the car serviced at renowned Ferrari specialist Charles Pozzi in Paris in 2013 when the mileage was 42.732kms. In March 2015, the car was sold to Belgium and eventually made its way to the headquarters of the Dutch engineering company Classic Yountgtimers Consultancy shortly after, where it received to the above mentioned modifications. The car comes with a complete original toolkit, all the books and an up-to-date service manual and its odometer reads 46.438kms at time of cataloguing.

The Ferrari 575 must be counted among the most beautiful and versatile Ferraris to be designed over the past 20 years. Their long bonnet, timeless design and beautifully engineered V12 engine make these Ferraris a fantastic driver’s car and are a must-have in any serious Ferrari collection. For those who want the little extra touch, or who have always dreamt of a track-ready 575, the Stradale on sale here might be the chance to not miss. Not only do you get a faithful replica of the original GTC, but as the cherry on the cake, the version offered is road legal and is probably the most outrageous way to go grocery shopping. And since we believe that life is too short to drive boring cars, we can only highly recommend the 575 on offer here.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located on our stand at Interclassics in Brussels, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.