2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Finished in Nero Daytona metallic with a black hide interior, ‘LJ05 HXP’ is a 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti that sits on 19-inch split-rim alloy wheels with matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

Showing just 51,000 miles on the odometer and backed up by an impressive service history, it’s on the button and ready to fulfil the 612 Scaglietti dream you’ve hitherto put off.

Black is a helluva tough colour, ruthlessly highlighting the sort of minor marks and dinks most other colours minimise.

And while lesser shades can flatter to deceive, the good thing about buying a black car – apart from the fact that Nero Daytona a very cool colour – is that damage has nowhere to hide; if it looks good as you walk up, then it is good.

And this one is good with no ripples along the flanks, car-park damage on the extremities, dinks on those long doors, or dodgy shutlines: everything lines up well, shines nicely, and has shrugged off a couple of decades of what appears to have been careful use with impressive aplomb.

It’s fitted with the obligatory ‘Scuderia’ wing shields as well as some rather nice 19-inch, split-rim alloy wheels that are finished in anthracite and matching yellow centre caps. Their five double-spoke design also frames yellow Ferrari-branded calipers and the combination of these two main colours is understated and yet unpretentiously imposing.

As for the condition of the rims, they are free of scrapes and scuffs, which is another tick in the box marked ‘Careful Driver’.

Just as importantly, they’re fitted with a matching set of Pirelli P-Zero tyres, with 245/40ZR19 on the front, and 285/40ZR19 on the rear, so that’s the ‘Diligent Owner’ box ticked too.

They also have good tread left on them and the date-stamps are 2019 and 2020 respectively.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The lamp lenses, window glass, and badges are also all good, which means there really isn’t much for the new owner to do other than to continue to polish it and store it safely beneath the indoor car cover that’s included in the sale.

The interior is a little more flamboyant that the exterior, but only a little. Comprising largely of black leather, blue stitching and splashes of yellow on the prominent rev counter and steering wheel boss, add a dash of interest.

It also boasts subtly embossed ‘Cavallino’ headrests plus various alloy controls and matching silver trim. The result is as effortlessly stylish as the coachwork.

It’s been looked after too because the electrically-adjustable front seats, which are also heated, are in a fine condition with the very mildest of creases to the outer bolsters of the driver’s seat.

The rear seats are in an even better condition and the grey pleated headlining that sits above ‘em all is little short of magnificent.

The F1A gearlever is comedy small but the alloy flappy paddles that sit behind the gorgeously tactile leather-rimmed steering wheel are epic, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

The dashboard instruments comprise just a speedometer and a rev counter. Fear not though because the instrumentation also features a very 21st century digital panel to the left of the centrally-mounted rev counter that can be cycled through to display a bewitching variety of information.

Speaking of modern conveniences, the 612 is fitted with a Ferrari-branded Clarion media system that features Bluetooth connectivity and a reversing camera. Cleverly, it folds out from the dashboard and plays through a Bose speaker system.

As for the rest, the carpets are excellent, and the passenger has an impressive alloy footplate to brace themselves against.

The door cards are good too, and the infamous ‘sticky buttons’ are nowhere to be seen.

The boot contains a Becker Silverstone CD multichanger alongside the Ferrari tool kit in its tan leather case. It also plays host to an Accumate battery charger and the aforementioned indoor car cover.

As for flaws, the alloy sill plates are a little stained and some of the screws holing them on are rusty. So, ten minutes and half-a-beer should see its faults put right.

The 612’s servicing regimen is as thorough as you could hope for:

• 29.03.2005 – pre-delivery inspection by H.R. Owen Sports Cars
• 17.03.2006 and 3,016 miles – service by H.R. Owen Sports Cars
• 12.04.2007 and 7,400 miles – service by Genesis S.A.
• 29.05.2008 and 24,521 miles – service by Joe Macari Servicing Ltd
• 18.05.2010 and 28,603 miles – service by Graypaul
• 24.08.2011 and 33,775 miles – service by Graypaul
• 30.08.2013 and 35,372 miles – service by Graypaul
• 22.08.2014 and 38,526 miles – service by Graypaul
• 30.03.2015 and 40,537 miles – service by AE Performance Engineering including cambelts
• 15.03.2017 and 44,538 miles – service by JCT600
• 18.10.2018 and 45,742 miles – service by Bell Classics
• 31.01.2020 and 48,196 miles – service by Bell Sport & Classic including cambelts
• 31.05.2021 and 49,152 miles – service by Bell Sport & Classic
• 23.06.2022 and 50,253 miles – service by Bell Sport & Classic including having the power-steering rack and air-conditioning compressor both refurbished
• 15.08.2023 and 50,802 miles – service by Bell Sport & Classic
• 28.03.2024 and 51,135 miles – service by Bell Sport & Classic including air-conditioning regassed, a new balljoint and heatshield

As you can see online there are some big bills in the history file, including many for non-service work, which is reassuring.

As you can see the investment has paid off as the V12 engine fires into life with alacrity and shows good oil pressure. It also makes a suitably impressive aural impression at both ends, so both you and any passersby get to enjoy the magnificence that is a 612 Scaglietti.

The engine bay is as clean and well-sorted as you’d expect to find in a car with this one’s comprehensive (and expensive!) maintenance record.

There is a fault though, as the dashboard shows a rear bulb is out. It says you will need to go to your Ferrari dealer to have that put right but you’re going to stick it to The Man and sort that out yourself, aren’t you?

The underside looks very good, and despite being lower than a rattlesnake’s belly it bears only the very lightest of scuffs, having merely kissed the occasional speedbump in the most perfunctory away.

The Ferrari’s MoT certificate might only be valid until March 2025 but it, like the one before, was issued with no advisories so getting a new one shouldn’t be too much of a trial.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys, the leather Ferrari wallet containing the book pack, a European Certificate of Conformity, and a thick wad of invoices for the work it’s benefitted from over the years.

Investment potential aside, the most impressive thing about the model is its sheer usability; despite sharing its V12 engine with the Ferrari 599, it is an easy to drive yet wonderfully potent four-seater that would have no problems taking you and your family across Europe in a day.

And the model is, for now at least, still accessible; this one, even in this condition and complete with a folder full of bills, will probably only go for somewhere between £37,000 and £42,000, which is small beer given the firepower it offers the discerning enthusiast.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.