The Ferrari Monza SP1 is the single-seat version of Ferrari’s windscreen-free Icona speedster, built from 2019 to 2022 alongside the two-seat SP2. It uses a front-mounted 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 from Ferrari’s F140 engine family, tuned to 810 cv and paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. More than a rebodied 812 Superfast, the SP1 is a deliberately impractical collector car: no roof, no conventional windscreen, one seat, extreme carbon-fiber bodywork, and a driving position designed around theater as much as speed. It matters because it opened Ferrari’s modern Icona series, linking post-war barchetta racing history with current carbon construction, electronics, and V12 performance. For owners and buyers, the appeal is obvious, but so are the risks: provenance, originality, factory accessories, low-mileage service history, and carbon-body condition are central to value.
Table of Contents
- Why the Monza SP1 Matters
- F140 GC V12 and Core Specifications
- Production, Options, and Authenticity Details
- Barchetta Design and Engineering Character
- How the Monza SP1 Drives
- Maintenance, Reliability, and Ownership Risks
- Market Values and Buyer Checks
Why the Monza SP1 Matters
The Monza SP1 is important because it was not designed to fill a normal model slot. Ferrari created it as the first expression of the Icona idea: limited-production cars that reinterpret famous Ferrari themes with modern engineering.
In the SP1’s case, the inspiration is the open sports-racer era of the late 1940s and 1950s. Ferrari’s 166 MM, 750 Monza, and related competition barchettas were small, roofless, urgent machines built for drivers who accepted exposure as part of speed. The Monza SP1 takes that spirit and exaggerates it for the modern collector world. It is not a track special like a 488 Pista, not a grand tourer like an 812 Superfast, and not a hypercar like LaFerrari. It is a sensory object: a road-going speedster that trades everyday use for presence, sound, and rarity.
The “SP1” name is simple. “SP” identifies the special-project character, while “1” refers to the single-seat layout. The SP2 adds a passenger seat, but the SP1 is the purer and stranger car. Its asymmetrical cockpit, covered passenger-side bodywork, and driver-focused tonneau give it the feel of a modern single-seat racer with number plates.
Production was highly restricted. Ferrari built 499 Monza SP cars in total across SP1 and SP2, not 499 of each. Allocation went to selected clients and collectors, which means many cars entered serious Ferrari collections immediately. Mileage is usually very low, and many examples appear with factory-supplied accessories, display items, special paint, and personalized interior details.
The SP1 also sits at an interesting point in Ferrari history. It arrived before the 812 Competizione and Daytona SP3, at a time when the naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 was already becoming more precious. Its 6.5-liter engine was one of the strongest non-hybrid V12s Ferrari had offered in a road car, and the lack of a roof or windscreen made the engine’s sound a central part of the experience.
For collectors, the Monza SP1 matters for four main reasons:
- It is the first Ferrari Icona model.
- It is rarer and more unusual than most modern limited-series Ferraris.
- It uses a high-output naturally aspirated V12 with no hybrid system.
- It has a single-seat body configuration unlike ordinary Ferrari road cars.
For enthusiasts, the SP1 matters because it shows what Ferrari can build when practicality is almost irrelevant. It is not the fastest Ferrari in every measurable way, but it is one of the most theatrical modern Ferraris to drive, display, and preserve.
F140 GC V12 and Core Specifications
The Monza SP1’s main mechanical story is its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12. The engine is derived from the 812 Superfast unit, but Ferrari revised the intake and calibration to raise output to 810 cv.
Engine and drivetrain
The F140 family is Ferrari’s long-running 65-degree V12 line. In the Monza SP1, the engine is commonly identified as F140 GC. It keeps the classic front-mid-engine Ferrari V12 layout, with the engine mounted behind the front axle line and power sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | F140 GC 65-degree naturally aspirated V12 |
| Displacement | 6,496 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 94 mm x 78 mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.6:1 |
| Maximum power | 810 cv / 596 kW at 8,500 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 719 Nm / 530 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm |
| Maximum engine speed | 8,900 rpm |
| Fuel system | Direct injection |
| Transmission | F1 seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
The power figure needs one small explanation. Ferrari quotes 810 cv, which is metric horsepower. In brake horsepower terms, the number is usually listed around 798 to 799 bhp. Many market listings round it back to 810 hp, but the official figure is best understood as 810 cv or 596 kW.
Dimensions, weight, tires, and brakes
The SP1 is compact by modern hypercar standards but still wide. Its low height and long clamshell nose create the dramatic proportions, while the single-seat cockpit makes the car feel even more extreme than its dimensions suggest.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,657 mm |
| Width | 1,996 mm |
| Height | 1,155 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm |
| Front track | 1,688 mm |
| Rear track | 1,678 mm |
| Dry weight | Approximately 1,500 kg |
| Front tires | 275/30 ZR21 |
| Rear tires | 315/30 ZR21 |
| Front brakes | 398 x 38 mm carbon-ceramic discs |
| Rear brakes | 360 x 32 mm carbon-ceramic discs |
The chassis is closely related to the 812 Superfast architecture, but the body is unique. Carbon-fiber bodywork helps offset some of the extra structure needed for such a special open car. The braking system is sized for repeated high-speed use, but condition matters more than mileage on collectible examples. Carbon-ceramic discs can look fine at a glance while still requiring specialist inspection.
Official performance
The SP1’s performance is supercar-fast, but its defining feature is not just acceleration. The drama comes from feeling that acceleration in an open cockpit with the V12 exposed to the air.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 2.9 seconds |
| 0–200 km/h | 7.9 seconds |
| Top speed | More than 300 km/h |
| Specific output | About 125 cv per liter |
These numbers put the Monza SP1 close to the fastest front-engine Ferraris of its era. The real difference is that the driver experiences them with far less separation from wind, sound, heat, and road surface.
Production, Options, and Authenticity Details
The Monza SP1 and SP2 were built as a combined limited run, so correct identification and complete documentation are essential. A desirable SP1 is not just a low-mileage car; it is a car with its original specification, accessories, Ferrari records, service history, and ownership chain intact.
SP1 versus SP2
The main variant split is simple:
- Monza SP1: one seat, asymmetric body cover, strongest collector novelty.
- Monza SP2: two seats, central divider, more usable for shared drives.
Both use the same core engine, gearbox, chassis concept, and performance figures. The SP2 is a little more practical because a passenger can ride along, but the SP1 is the purer statement. That purity can work both ways in the market. Some collectors prefer the single-seat drama. Others prefer the SP2 because it can be enjoyed with another person.
There was no regular “base” Monza, no Spider version beyond the barchetta body style, and no later track package in the way Ferrari offers packages on some production models. The major differences are specification, color, personalization, mileage, country of delivery, and documentation.
Factory personalization
The Monza SP1 was offered to clients who often used Ferrari’s personalization programs. That means two cars can differ greatly even if the mechanical specification is the same. Common value-relevant details include:
- Extracampionario or historic-inspired paint colors
- contrasting racing stripes or rear-fin graphics
- painted or airbrushed Scuderia shields
- brake caliper color
- forged wheel finish
- visible exterior carbon-fiber elements
- carbon-fiber luggage compartment trim
- GT2 monocoque racing seat size
- leather color, stitching, and headrest embroidery
- colored tachometer
- suspension lift
- front and rear parking cameras
- factory-supplied helmet, goggles, gloves, car cover, model, and presentation items
On a normal used car, missing accessories are an annoyance. On a Monza SP1, they can affect value. A factory helmet, carrying case, display sculpture, original books, keys, charger, cover, and leather document items help confirm that the car has been preserved as a complete collector package.
Documentation that matters
A serious buyer should expect more than a service book. The best cars have a full file that connects the VIN to the build specification and ownership history.
Important documents include:
- original order or specification sheet
- Ferrari dealer delivery paperwork
- service invoices from authorized Ferrari dealers or recognized specialists
- warranty and service-plan records
- recall and service-campaign completion evidence
- Ferrari Classiche certification where applicable
- import/export paperwork for cars that moved between regions
- photo records of paint protection film installation or removal
- battery-condition and diagnostic reports
- full accessory inventory
Ferrari Classiche is especially relevant because the Monza SP1 is already a collectible modern Ferrari. A Classiche-certified car with a complete file is easier to trust than one with missing records, even if both cars have similar mileage.
Barchetta Design and Engineering Character
The Monza SP1 looks simple at first, but its simplicity is engineered. The body removes the roof, windscreen, and passenger seat while adding airflow management, carbon structure, and a shape meant to look like one continuous sculpture.
The design came from the Ferrari Styling Centre, led by Flavio Manzoni during this period. The SP1’s shape is not a literal replica of a 1950s racing car. Instead, it borrows the idea of the barchetta: low, open, minimal, and centered on the driver.
The most obvious feature is the missing windscreen. Instead of a normal windshield, Ferrari used a patented “Virtual Wind Shield” concept. The system uses body shaping ahead of the cockpit to redirect airflow and reduce the direct blast on the driver. It does not make the car calm like a convertible with a full windscreen, but it helps make high-speed driving more manageable.
The long front clamshell is another major design element. It reduces visual cut lines and gives the car a clean, almost concept-car surface. It also exposes the V12 in a dramatic way when opened. This is beautiful, but it makes repair and alignment more demanding. Any damage to the front bodywork, hinges, latches, carbon edges, or paint matching needs expert attention.
The cockpit is intentionally sparse. The driver sits low, surrounded by leather, carbon fiber, and a focused instrument layout. The steering wheel carries many core controls, as in modern Ferraris, while the paddle-shift gearbox keeps both hands close to the rim during fast driving. The passenger side is not a passenger area at all; it is bodywork, which gives the SP1 its unusual asymmetric identity.
Several design choices are central to the car’s character:
- Single-seat layout: turns the car into a personal driving object, not a conventional roadster.
- No roof or windscreen: makes speed feel more physical and less filtered.
- Carbon-fiber bodywork: allows dramatic surfaces and helps manage weight.
- Clamshell hood: creates a clean shape but raises repair complexity.
- Barchetta rear fairing: visually links the car to classic open racing Ferraris.
- Modern lighting: keeps the design futuristic rather than retro.
The SP1 is not practical, and that is the point. Ferrari could have built an 812-based roadster with a windscreen, roof, luggage space, and two seats. Instead, the SP1 removes those normal features to create something closer to a rolling design object with serious performance.
How the Monza SP1 Drives
The Monza SP1 is defined by exposure. Its speed is impressive, but the unforgettable part is the combination of V12 response, open-air noise, wind pressure, and the feeling of sitting alone behind a long Ferrari nose.
The engine is the highlight. Because it is naturally aspirated, throttle response is immediate and linear. There is no turbocharger delay and no hybrid torque fill. Below the upper rev range, the V12 is already flexible, but it becomes far more intense as it climbs toward 8,500 rpm. The final third of the tachometer is where the car feels most alive.
The dual-clutch gearbox suits the engine well. In automatic mode, it can be smooth enough for gentle driving, but the Monza is at its best when the driver uses the paddles. Upshifts are fast, and downshifts add to the drama because the engine note is so exposed. In a normal coupe, some of that sound is filtered through glass and insulation. In the SP1, it is part of the environment.
Steering feel is quick and modern. The SP1 does not drive like a vintage barchetta; it has wide tires, modern electronics, high grip, and immense braking capacity. The front end responds sharply, and the rear-wheel-drive layout gives the car a more traditional Ferrari balance than an all-wheel-drive hypercar. The driver still needs respect for tire temperature, road camber, and throttle position. A cold 315-section rear tire and a high-revving V12 are not a casual combination.
The ride is firm but not purely punishing. Like other modern Ferraris, the SP1 can deal with normal roads better than its appearance suggests, especially when the suspension lift and correct tire pressures are used. The issue is not only ride comfort; it is exposure. Wind, debris, sun, rain, insects, and road spray all matter. This is a car for carefully chosen drives, not uncertain weather.
Braking performance is immense when the carbon-ceramic system is healthy and warm. Pedal feel should be firm, consistent, and confidence-inspiring. Any vibration, pulling, warning light, unusual pedal travel, or visible disc damage needs immediate investigation. Replacement costs can be substantial.
The driving position is part of the event. Visibility forward is dramatic because the car is low and open, but judging corners, curbs, and traffic requires care. The wide body makes tight city driving awkward. Parking cameras and a lift system are genuinely useful, not just comfort options.
The SP1 is best on:
- open mountain roads in dry weather
- early-morning coastal routes
- private road events
- concours drives
- controlled track demonstrations
- short, memorable journeys rather than long highway trips
It is less suited to:
- heavy city traffic
- rain or cold weather
- dusty roads
- long motorway slogs
- casual parking
- any route with poor surfaces and tall speed bumps
The Monza SP1 is not difficult because it lacks performance. It is difficult because it asks the driver to accept the physical world again. That is exactly what makes it special.
Maintenance, Reliability, and Ownership Risks
The Monza SP1 is not a high-mileage reliability case like a normal used car. Most examples have very low mileage, so the main risks are age, storage, electronics, battery condition, carbon-body damage, tire age, and incomplete service records.
The V12 itself is based on a proven Ferrari engine family, but the car still needs specialist care. Low mileage does not remove the need for annual inspection, fluid checks, battery maintenance, software updates, and careful warm-up. In fact, very low mileage can create its own problems if a car sits for long periods.
Key maintenance areas include:
- Battery and charging: modern Ferraris are sensitive to weak batteries. A battery tender is essential.
- Fluids: engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox fluids age even when mileage is low.
- Tires: age matters as much as tread depth. Original-looking tires may be unsafe for serious driving.
- Carbon-ceramic brakes: discs and pads need specialist measurement, not just a visual glance.
- Lift system: check operation, leaks, warning messages, and height change.
- Dual-clutch transmission: scan for fault codes, adaptation values, overheating events, and service history.
- Cooling system: inspect hoses, radiators, fans, and signs of stone damage.
- Electronics: check instrument messages, parking cameras, sensors, keys, and software updates.
- Bodywork: inspect carbon panels, underbody carbon, exposed edges, mounts, and paint film.
- Interior materials: leather, stitching, carbon trim, and seat shell condition matter on collector cars.
The lack of a roof and windscreen also changes ownership. The cabin is more exposed to dust, sun, and moisture. Even if a car is rarely driven, storage quality matters. Climate-controlled storage, breathable covers, correct battery support, and periodic exercise are important.
Carbon-body repair is one of the biggest risks. Minor damage on an ordinary car may be cosmetic. On a Monza SP1, damage to the clamshell hood, front splitter, diffuser, wheel arch carbon, or underbody can become a major value issue. Paint matching is also difficult on special colors and liveries. A car with paintwork is not automatically bad, but the work must be documented and expertly inspected.
Recalls and service campaigns must be checked by VIN and market. Modern Ferraris can have software updates, brake-related campaigns, emissions updates, or component replacements that do not show clearly in a seller’s advertisement. A buyer should ask an authorized Ferrari dealer to confirm open campaigns before purchase.
A pre-purchase inspection should include:
- VIN confirmation against factory specification and title documents.
- Ferrari diagnostic scan with stored and historic fault codes.
- Service-plan and warranty-status review.
- Brake disc and pad measurement by a Ferrari-qualified technician.
- Tire date-code check and pressure-monitoring inspection.
- Lift-system and parking-camera operation test.
- Underside inspection for carbon damage and scraping.
- Paint-depth and paint-protection-film review.
- Accessory inventory check against the original delivery set.
- Road test only when insurance, weather, and seller approval allow it.
The best ownership approach is preventive. Keep the car exercised, serviced, charged, dry, and documented. The worst approach is to assume that low mileage equals zero maintenance needs.
Market Values and Buyer Checks
The Monza SP1 sits in the modern collectible Ferrari market, not the normal used-supercar market. Values depend less on age and more on allocation history, specification, mileage, documentation, accessories, and condition.
Launch pricing was widely reported around the mid-seven-figure euro range before heavy personalization. Since then, public sales and asking prices have generally placed good Monza SP examples well above original list price. As of the mid-2020s, SP1 auction results and asking prices commonly sit in the roughly $2.4 million to $3.7 million zone, while exceptional SP2 results can be higher. The exact number changes quickly because so few cars trade publicly.
The biggest value drivers are:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Original specification | Unique paint, livery, trim, and carbon choices can strongly affect desirability. |
| Mileage | Very low mileage is common, so condition and storage history must support the odometer reading. |
| Ferrari Classiche | Certification helps confirm originality and reassures collectors. |
| Accessories | Helmet, goggles, books, covers, keys, and presentation items add completeness. |
| Service history | Annual records matter even when the car has barely been driven. |
| Carbon condition | Damage or poor repair can reduce value sharply. |
| Market region | Import status, taxes, registration rules, and road legality affect buyer demand. |
A buyer should seek a car that feels complete, not merely shiny. The ideal SP1 has a clean chain of ownership, full Ferrari dealer records, no unclear paintwork, original accessories, correct tires or recently replaced correct-spec tires, no open campaigns, and a specification that suits long-term collector demand.
Avoid cars with:
- missing accessories and vague explanations
- incomplete service records
- unresolved warning lights
- old tires presented as “like new”
- damaged carbon undertrays or splitters
- undocumented paint repairs
- non-factory modifications
- unclear import history
- expired or uncertain warranty coverage
- seller resistance to a Ferrari dealer inspection
Some modifications may look tempting, especially exhaust changes or cosmetic carbon additions, but originality is usually safer for long-term value. The Monza SP1 is already special enough. Changing it can reduce the buyer pool.
Long-term collectability looks strong because the SP1 combines rarity, Ferrari Icona status, a naturally aspirated V12, and a body style unlikely to become common. The risks are market timing and condition sensitivity. Modern limited Ferraris can move up or down depending on broader collector appetite, interest rates, regional tax rules, and the availability of comparable cars.
The right purchase is emotional but should be handled with discipline. Buy the most complete, best-documented, most original example you can justify. A cheaper SP1 with missing items, weak records, or carbon damage can become more expensive than a premium car very quickly.
References
- Ferrari Monza SP1 – Ferrari.com 2018 (Official Model Page)
- Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2: the first in a new concept of limited series “Icona” cars 2018 (Manufacturer Publication)
- Ferrari Monza SP1: Ferrari History 2018 (Manufacturer History)
- Ferrari Monza SP1 wins the iF Design Gold Award 2019 (Manufacturer Publication)
- 2019 Ferrari Monza SP1 | Villa Erba 2023 | RM Sotheby’s 2023 (Auction Result)
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, repair, valuation, or legal advice. Specifications, torque values, service intervals, repair procedures, campaign status, and equipment can vary by VIN, market, production date, and factory option. Always verify details against official Ferrari service documentation, dealer records, and a qualified Ferrari specialist inspection before buying, servicing, or repairing a Monza SP1.
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