When Ferrari first unveiled the much anticipated F12tdf in October 2015, the base price was believed to be in the region of $450,000. Just 8 months later, the first F12tdf became available for private sale in the US and fetched a staggering $1,550,000. Even factoring in the cost of the optional extras, this represents a 200% price increase in less than a year. So what can explain this incredible explosion in value?
“all 799 vehicles were reserved before they had even left the factory”
Scarcity
One of the big reasons for the enormous price tag is scarcity. Only 799 of these exquisite, handcrafted vehicles glided out of Ferrari’s production facility in Maranello, Italy. In order to buy one, you needed to have very good connections with Ferrari’s top brass, because they were sold by invitation only. Nevertheless, all 799 vehicles were reserved before they had even left the factory, leaving many wealthy collectors and Ferrari enthusiasts disappointed.
Breathtaking driving experience
The Ferrari F12tdf is designed to be an invigorating challenge for even the most experienced professional drivers. Compared to the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta on which it is based, the carbon body of the F12tdf has shed a whopping 110kg of weight, and the 6.3 litre, V12 engine delivers a jaw-dropping 780bhp to the rear wheels. This all adds up to produce acceleration from 0-100km in just 2.9 seconds. For a street-legal vehicle that you could theoretically drive down the road to do your weekly shop, this is outrageous power!
Top Gear’s Chris Harris: “not so much a car, as a Class A substance”
But what really sets the F12tdf apart is that it is breathtakingly exhilarating to drive: the performance is precise, spiky and aggressive, which has proved to be a heart-pounding driving experience for seasoned professional drivers and motoring journalists alike. It is easy to see why Chris Harris of Top Gear describes the F12tdf as “not so much a car, as a Class A substance”.
One very careful owner
While on paper, the Ferrari F12tdf is every car enthusiast’s wet dream, in order for the vehicle to be such an incredibly valuable asset, it needs to be meticulously stored and maintained rather than thrashed around the race track. This is reflected by the fact that the “used” F12tdf which was sold in the US for more than $1.5m had a mere 160km on the clock.
History – the nostalgia effect
Investment specialists attest that in order for a great car to be a great investment, it needs to have a compelling story. The F12tdf name pays homage to the Tour de France automobile race held between 1899 and 1986, which was regularly won by the Ferrari 250 between 1956 and 1964. The long bonnet, front grill and sumptuous lines of the F12tdf pay subtle homage to those era-defining Ferraris of the past. On a technical level, the front-mounted, naturally aspirated, V12 engine further echoes the legendary Ferrari 250. Everything about the F12tdf reminds you that this is a magnificent, thrilling vehicle resting on a long history of prestige and success.
Fernando Verboonen is the Co-founder & CEO Curio Invest. He has been in the Web3 space for nearly a decade and has a wealth of knowledge about the ecosystem.
