2020 Ferrari Monza

The reasons for change are well known: improved safety standards that impact design, refined expertise of aerodynamics and the shapes that are more functional (if not less attractive), all against the backdrop of a bygone era of daring, heroic, and frequently blue-blooded racing drivers like Wolfgang von Trips, Peter Collins, and Alfonso de Portago. So, it is all the more remarkable that cars like this SP2 exist-a breathtaking design with otherworldly performance that harkens back to a bygone era so exactingly that no one would dare suggest it is anything other than perfect.

The Monza SP2, along with its sibling the Monza SP1, was unveiled by Ferrari in September 2018. The inaugural model in Ferrari's forthcoming "Icona" Series, Ferrari called them "iconic cars whose sophisticated design and engineering are inspired by legendary Ferrari sports cars of the past," specifically the 1950s. For the SP1 and SP2, the inspiration was quite clearly from the 1948 Ferrari 166MM "barchetta," the gorgeous 750 Monza and 860 Monza. Unsurprisingly, the cars were targeted at exclusive existing clients of Ferrari, with just 499 examples being produced across both SP1 and SP2 variants. Whereas the SP1 was a single-seat road car, the SP2 eliminates the tonneau cover to allow space for a second passenger, with the addition of a second headrest fairing.

Based on Maranello's most extreme tourer, the 812 Superfast, the Monza pairs a svelte carbon-fiber barchetta body with the 812's 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12-Ferrari's most powerful naturally aspirated engine at the time of its launch, delivering 810 CV and 719 Nm of torque for a claimed zero-to-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds. With no windshield to speak of-only Ferrari's ingenious "Virtual Windshield," which channels airflow through the hood and ejects it ahead of the driver-the Monza delivers an elemental, visceral experience that is closer in spirit to the Mille Miglia than to any modern road car.

This striking Monza SP2, chassis 261538, recalls the vivid contrasting colors seen on some of Ferrari's most memorable sports-racing liveries with its striking Tailor Made two-tone color scheme in Rosso California, accented by a Grigio Coburn nose section and driver's headrest fairing, as well as Argento Nürburgring detailing. The bodywork is punctuated throughout by an extensive carbon fiber package, encompassing the front spoiler, front air vents, engine covers, wheel arches, rear diffuser, under-door covers, exterior sill kicks, upper luggage compartment, and wheel center caps. Giallo Modena brake calipers create a vivid accent against the matte Argento Nürburgring forged wheels, while airbrushed Scuderia shields and the "Ferrari Monza SP2" logo on the headrest fairing, rendered in Rosso California, complete the nostalgic yet modern exterior specification.

Within the cockpit, vibrant Jeans Aunde Blu fabric and Pelle Elmo Blu leather trims the medium-size GT2 monocoque seats which are detailed by embroidered Cavallino Rampante on the headrests and tone-on-tone stitching throughout. The four-point safety harnesses and centrally positioned yellow rev counter enhance the driver-focused character of the cabin, while the much-needed Suspension Lifter, Front and Rear Parking Cameras, and Apple CarPlay add a touch of practicality to the carefully considered specification of this SP2. This sense of occasion carries through to the pair of carbon fiber helmets by Berluti, outfitting both driver and passenger in attire conceived in the same era-evoking spirit as the Monza itself.