Vandenbrink announces production 599 GTO and new 630 GTO
click above image for new pics of the Vanderbrink 599 and 630 GTO
We're reported on the Vandenbrink 599 GTO before. Based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the 599 GTO is a coachbuilt bespoke beauty designed by Michiel van den Brink in the Netherlands. Response to van den Brink's original renderings of the car was so overwhelming, he eventually decided the car should be built. Though not officially blessed by Ferrari, the GTO does a great job of honoring its muse, the original 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
We already knew five copies of the 650-HP 599 GTO were set to be built and had, in fact, already be sold. Vandenbrink, however, revealed today that a new model called the 630 GTO would also be offered. The 630 GTO was developed with the help of well known exotic tuner EVO Competition and features an enlarged 6.3L engine producing 750 HP. The price for a fully optioned upgrade to the 630 GTO, not including the cost of the 599 GTB doner car, is €933,000. That is not a typo, and when converted to U.S. dollars equals $1,318,982. So what you have to ask yourself is whether or not the 630 GTO is over a million dollars more beautiful than a plain old Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
Check out the new gallery below that shows a more production ready 599 GTO in red and a 630 GTO in black. Though still renderings, they're extremely photorealistic.
[Source: Vandenbrink]
Gallery: 2008 Vandenbrink 599 GTO/630 GTO
PRESS RELEASE:
Vandenbrink Design unveils special coachbuilt GTO
Vandenbrink Design joins the revival of special coachbuilding by presenting their design of the GTO, a tribute to the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
The GTO was designed in 2006 by Michiel van den Brink, who founded the Vandenbrink Design company with business partner Robert Koumans in the Netherlands.
The worldwide acclaim the artist impressions received exceeded all expectations; TopGear even wrote "Ocular Nirvana: arguably the best-looking car in the world".
The overwhealming response put the bar high, but it encouraged Vandenbrink to accept the challenge by prepairing the design for production.
The new coachwork will be handcrafted following the classic tradition in aluminium by Dutchman Alwin Hietbrink, who is worldwide known by his excellent aluminium craftsmanship in restoration and rebuilding projects of classic Italian iconic sportscars such as the genuine Ferrari 250 GTO.
Optional interior/upholstery redesign will be performed by the Dutch craftsman Henk van Lith, also worldwide known by his specialization in the making of high quality Italian interiors.
The GTO is technically based on the superb Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano platform.
In cooperation with race engineering expert EDO Competition two versions are offered:
- the 599 GTO (5998 cc / 650 hp / 630 Nm) and
- the high performance 630 GTO (6300 cc / 750 hp / 680 Nm).
Through this unique approach the GTO offers a synthesis of automotive art, craftsmanship and state-of-the-art platform and performance engineering.
Only 5 GTO's will be built for customers, guaranteeing exceptional exclusivity.
Customer interest appeared solid; first coachworks have been reserved.
Production will start in 2008; delivery to the first owner will be in 2009.
Price of a full-options 630 GTO is 993.000,- euros (excl. base 599 GTB Fiorano, ex taxes).
Vandenbrink Design:
Vandenbrink Design BV is an automotive design company, located in The Netherlands.
It is a privately owned company, founded in 2006 by Michiel van den Brink and Robert Koumans.
The company focus is on special design and coachbuilding for highly exclusive sportscars.
More information can be found on the websites:
Vandenbrink Design BV: www.vandenbrinkdesign.com
Hietbrink Coachbuilding: www.hietbrink.com
HvL Exclusive Italian Interiors: www.carinteriors.nl
EDO Competition: www.edo-competition.com
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason 3:20PM (10/10/2007)
Was the goal to test human intelligence to see if anyone would pay a million dollars to make his/her beautiful 599 ugly? WTF seriously.
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mk 4:37PM (10/10/2007)
you consider the 599 GTB to be pretty, but this to be ugly???
Ok....
The GTB is awkward in stock trim, but can be nice if dressed up a bit with lowering springs, like novitec's example.
But this car is hawt. It is retro, not a fresh design, but it is very cool. I wish more designers would take cues from the post-war sports cars, current car design seems to have veered well away from that beautiful simplicity of line.
Like the man who had a P3/P4 replica built from an Enzo, if you have the money, it is all a matter of taste, and it is hard to go too far wrong with Ferrari, past or present.
Jason 4:53PM (10/10/2007)
in response to:
you consider the 599 GTB to be pretty, but this to be ugly???
The answer is, yes. I just put photos of both side by side on my PC, and I have to say the Vendenbrink shares that TVR-ness I dislike so much...it looks immature and overly busy.
Generally I'm not into post-war cars like you obviously are, so it's a taste thing. Regardless of liking it or not, it's a tragic use of a million dollars.
Craig 6:32PM (10/10/2007)
That is a stunning looking car.
Their deliberate use of 250 GTO cues isn't original, but it is very tastefully done.
"it looks immature and overly busy"
I thought it looked pretty simple. Especially if you compare it to something like the Lexus LF-A. That thing looks like it was drawn by a 5 year old in crayon.
And those hips, they remind me of a hot Italian chick. She is definitely a mature one too :)
BTW Autoblog: the price may not be a typo, but the spelling of 'doner' is.
fraser ralston 11:05AM (1/10/2009)
what everybody has to realise here is that, Vandenbrink is not making an attack aimed at the look of the 599 GTB nor is it an attack at ferrari. if anything this car is to be considered at tribute to quite possibly the most iconic ferrari ever created. the infamous 250 GTO.
Vandenbrink are merely paying homage to one of the most beautiful cars in history. the curves and lines of this vehicle have revisited a period when cars were designed with asthetics being as equally important as aerodynamics. many moder day cars can't compete in the beauty stake due to that fact their asthetic features are merely an afterthought to the aerodynamic performance. this car is simple and pure in shape, not busy or indeed immature. why does it need three nostrils, simple answer it doesn't. but then does a 2008 Dodge Challenger need the "Ram air scoops" on its bonnet, no of course it doesn't because they don't do anything functionally. what they do is give it asthetic character.
every car created will have its fans and its haters, thats life. i for one am a fan and hopefully one day may be in the finacial postion to own a beautiful creation like the Vandenbrink 599 GTB
LBuzzer 3:24PM (10/10/2007)
I don't know...
There's something about the proportions of the greenhouse to the rest of the car... and those wheels - needs some retro phone-dial jobbies!!
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F1Fan 3:32PM (10/10/2007)
Let's see, I just thought that rather then keep my 599 as striking as it is, I can kit car it out to look like a kit car version of the real thing, yeah that's it.
Djivy.be 3:55PM (10/10/2007)
The tuner responsible for the engine work is the established eDo competition GmbH, not eVo. And by the way: did you know van den Brink is as old as your average Autoblog-visitor, ie 30?
Best car ever to come out of Holland, that's for sure.
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shawn 6:06PM (10/10/2007)
wtf....this car looks like a piece of trash........the normal 599 is bad enough....why make it look even worse....im disgusted with ferrari
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allonblack 6:06PM (10/10/2007)
I would ask one question of Vandenbrink -
Are you high?
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Milos 6:00PM (10/10/2007)
i don't think it woths all that money, but it's nice looking car altogether even though headlamps remind me of tvr and those side vents should not be in chrome cause they look like vents on jaguar XK.
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Scott 4:00AM (10/12/2007)
Why does it need three nostrils?
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