612 manual six speed sells at RM Shift Monterey on 8/15 for $295M

For those that follow 612 prices this auction price at RM Shift Monterey which significantly doesn't include a 15% buyer's premium which would add another $44,250 to the price may be the highest auction price for a 2005 612 manual of late. This car was a less than 6000 mile example wearing Azzurro California with a dark blue interior. This car belonged to a friend and was very well taken care of.

For those of us who own a F1 612 we may not see this kind of a price anytime soon but do you really think a six speed should carry a 100% premium or more? Having driven my 2005 F1 612 some 4500 since purchasing it I can honestly say that I really enjoy driving the car long distance with the paddles and in sport mode. They say that all ships rise with the tide. If you have been on the fence it may be time to find a 612 that you can drive and enjoy! Stay well!

 

I have been told that about 200 612s were produced with manual out of a total production of about 3100 units. If true, that would be about 6.5% of the production. I know the car sold at RM recently and it was a very low mileage original car in great shape that had been pampered. I am not aware of any sales of converted F1 to manual cars selling at auction. Most often buyers want cars with original specs in tact. Brogenville above in a reply mentions he has worked on conversions so he should have some idea of what is involved and the cost. If you really didn't care about owning a car with original specs then a conversion might be the answer. I own a 2005 and haven't driven a later 612 with an F1. The only point of comparison I have is my daily driver is a 2017 Porsche 911 with a PDK. It is a bit of comparing apples and oranges but the way I would describe the difference is that the earlier F1 which I also only drive in sport mode with paddles (never in auto) is more of a primitive brute experience vs how seamless the PDK is. I am sure the later F1 transmissions improved over time but I have no first hand driving experience in a late 612 so I cant speak to that. Last word would be to suggest that anyone considering a 612 drive a few cars both older and later versions of the F1 transmissions to get a sense of whether you like the total driving experience before embarking on a conversion.