Ferrari used last September's Paris motor show to reveal the open-topped SA Aperta, but a unique one-off 599 convertible -- dubbed the Superamerica 45 -- is set to debut at this weekend's Villa d'Este Concours in Italy.
The voluptuous roadster was commissioned by New York-based collector and real-estate czar Peter Kalikow, and the car was reportedly created to commemorate the 45th anniversary of his first Ferrari purchase -- and hence the moniker.
What's unique about the Superamerica 45 is that -- whereas the recently revealed SA Aperta featured a lightweight soft-top -- it reprises the rotating one-piece roof section that previously featured on the 2005 575M Superamerica
But while the earlier car featured a roof made of electrochromic glass, the Superamerica gets a carbonfibre lid that incorporates a rear screen. The roof swivels through 180 degrees to reside in the boot, and this is said to be a much more practical solution than the SA Aperta's light-duty soft-top.
Other distinctive design elements include a pair flying buttresses, and Corvette ZR1-style double vents in the front guards. There's also bespoke side skirts and a rear diffuser flanked by an additional pair of vents to extract heat from the rear brakes.
The Superamerica 45 is further distinguished by a unique chrome front grille and aluminium A-pillars, wing mirrors and door handles. It rides on a set of turbine-design five-spoke alloys that feature blue highlights to match the car's bodywork.
As for the provenance of the blue paint scheme, it was allegedly created to match the hue of Kalikow's 1961 400 Superamerica cabriolet. Interior highlights include dark blue carbonfibre trim on the dashboard, and Cuoio (deep beige) leather.
According to UK's Autocar magazine, Ferrari describes the car as "a unique one-off model", but the complex roof set-up does seem rather extravagant for a one-off that's not destined for even low-volume production.
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