There were murmurs of a convertible version of Ferrari’s 599 GTB doing the rounds at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours event, but apart from a private viewing little was heard about the car since…Now, Ferrari has disclosed the first regarding its biggest drop-top model: the 599 SA APERTA.
Normally going topless for an 80th birthday celebration would be frowned upon, but in the case of the SA APERTA it’s a fitting way to highlight 80 years of Ferrari’s long-time styling partner Pininfarina – the SA prefix pays tribute to the styling firm’s founders: Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina.
The SA APERTA is regarded as a “true roadster” in the very sense of the term, with a removable soft top that is only brought into play when the weather conditions are truly abominable. With regards to styling, the SA APERTA features a more rakishly-angled windscreen and integrated roll-bars flanked by aerodynamic fins.
In addition to lowered suspension, the SA APERTA sits on a comprehensively overhauled version of the 599 GTB’s chassis with extra bracing to ensure optimal structural rigidity.
As with many coupé-to-roadster conversions, the additional bracing does equate to additional weight. However, the SA APERTA shouldn’t be adversely affected thanks to the adoption of the same 493 kW 6,0-litre V12 doing service in the road-and-track special 599 GTO.
The SA APERTA will make its full public debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Only 80 examples will be built, as per the Pininfarina anniversary they celebrate, and all of them are already spoken for.
