Autoblog

UPDATE: Another view added to the gallery.

click above to enlarge

Vandenbrink Design seems to be on a roll recently, announcing production of both the 599 GT0 and 630 GTO, as well as a releasing a rendering that suggests what a Fiorano-based convertible GT could look like. Not having the blessing of Ferrari has yet to deter Michiel B. van den Brink from speaking his mind through his pen, but we doubt this latest piece of auto-art will put him in the good graces of the men from Maranello.

Vandenbrink is looking to the folks at FerrariChat for some inspiration and advice for a 612-based shooting brake (i.e. wagon) that the firm is currently considering. We're smitten with the idea of a Ferrari hatch that's got a bit more functionality to compliment its competent chassis and V12 power plant, but we're not entirely willing to give up the clean lines of the standard coupe. That said, Vandenbrink has done a sublime job of integrating the new back-end into the GT's powerful swage lines, and if anyone could pull it off, Michiel can.

Your thoughts, as always, are graciously accepted below.

[Source: FerrariChat]

Sometimes the past deserves to remain in the past, but once in a while the automotive industry reaches into its history to resurrect something worthwhile whose demise was regrettable and whose return is welcome. The return of coachbuilding is one example of an industry trend we're glad is making a comeback.

Coachbuilding was popular decades ago among the extremely wealthy for whom the ordinary offerings of the automotive industry weren't anywhere near exclusive enough, so they had special bodywork fitted to regular cars to make them their own. Contemporary coachbuilt motors follow the same formula: an existing car fitted with new bodywork, and often customized mechanicals, for the most discerning and obscenely wealthy clients. Results have varied, but variety, as the saying goes, is the spice of life. Here we've chosen our ten favorite examples.

click above image for our entire gallery showing the Vandenbrink 599 GTO

With three of the planned five copies already spoken for, Michiel van den Brink's GTO homage is going fast. And it's not just because of the Enzo-derived powerplant under its elegant bonnet. We just talked about this limited run of vehicles last week, but a new image surfaced that we thought we'd share. While still not an actual photo, when it comes to GTO-inspired art, we'll take anything we can get. No word yet on whether or not anybody popped for the full carbon fiber body instead of the handcrafted aluminum, but with a car designed to emulate an automotive icon like the GTO, aluminum seems somehow more appropriate. Designed by Vandenbrink Design, the cars are being built on the 599 GTB Fiorano platform by Hietbrink Coachbuilding in the Netherlands. Purists always scoff at vehicles that aren't officially sanctioned by the factory, but we'll side with Top Gear on this and admit that it's one of the most beautiful designs we've ever seen. As long as the workmanship is as good as the design, it's a winner to us, though we suspect the five lucky buyers don't need our validation or anything. The only important thing is that THEY like it, and we're pretty sure they will.

[Source: Vandenbrink Design via Autoblog.nl]

click above image to view 10 pics of the 2008 Vandenbrink 599 GTO

You may remember a post from a while back about about the Vandenbrink GTO, a coachbuilt Ferrari penned by the dutch design firm Vandenbrink Design and its steward, Michiel van den Brink. At the time, the car existed only in Photoshop, but showed a modern interpretation of the early-sixties Ferrari 250 GTO. We said then that Vandenbrink would consider producing the car if interest was there, and apparently some interested parties have stepped forward. Vandenbrink will be producing five 599 GTOs that will be built off of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. Three have already been sold, so if you have obscene amounts of cash on hand and nothing to buy, get a move on. Though Vandenbrink Design is responsible for the car's lines, Hietbrink Coachbuilding in the Netherlands is being tasked with actually building the cars. Hietbrink, the owner, is reportedly an artist with aluminum, and will be creating a real car body out of Vandenbrink's design. Though aluminum is the planned material, Hietbrink says he'll consider carbon fiber if you want your car to be even more exclusive than the other four.

Ferrari aficionados are debating whether or not the "GTO" should be affixed to Vandenbrink's design, as any car wearing that badge has some big shoes to fill. It needs to be better than the 599 GTB on which it's based in every way. Also, at the moment, the car is not officially recognized by Maranello as a Ferrari. So for now, we can only refer to it as the 2008 Vandenbrink 599 GTO.

[Source: Vandenbrink Design via Supercars.net]

Many dedicated Ferrari fans have been less than satisfied with the designs rolling out of Maranello. (Taking the 612 Scaglietti as an example, we couldn't blame them, especially when compared to the sumptuous GTs of the past.) Some complain from the sidelines, while others refuse: One customer had design house Pininfarina re-body an Enzo to emulate the classic 330 P4. Another had Zagato rebody a 575 M Maranello on the inspiration of the unique 250 GTZ. Now a small Dutch design firm is announcing plans to build the Vandenbrink GTO.

While little information is available at this point, any Ferrari fan would recognize the sumptuous lines as a modern interpretation of the iconic early-sixties Ferrari 250 GTO. The designer is currently evaluating both the 575M and the new 599 GTB as possible chassis donors. Vandenbrink says they have received enough interest from potential customers to put the GTO into limited production, either as a one-off custom for one lucky customer, or potentially as a very limited edition of five.

No timeframe has been set at this point, as Vandenbrink tells us, "It's never good to rush any design, especially not an exclusive one-off like this." We couldn't agree more, though we're looking forward to providing updates as this exciting project takes shape. Even at this early stage, one thing is already clear: The days of custom coachbuilt Ferraris are coming back, and coming back strong. Stay tuned.

(Follow the jump for more pics of the Vandenbrink GTO from various angles and in a number of color schemes)

[Source: Vandenbrink Design]