"FERRARI 599 CHINA" auctioned in Beijing for 1.2 million euro Beijing, 3 November 2009 - The unique Ferrari 599 China was won tonight by an anonymous client from Shanghai at the final price of about 1.2 million euro (including taxes). The auction was the climax of the Gala dinner organized by Ferrari at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing. Lu Hao, the first Chinese artist to work with Ferrari, created this special model decorated with Song Dynasty Ge Kiln pottery patterns. The proceeds from this auction will fund outstanding students and young teachers of Tsinghua Universitys Department of Automotive Engineering to study at Italys Politecnico di Milano University and internship at Ferraris headquarters.
I didn't realize you made the initial post DM.. but I thought of you when I read it More pics here: http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/executive-style/auction-time-ferrari-599-limited-edition/20091026-hfle.html?selectedImage=0 So from the link.. the pottery one is one-off, but he has also customised 11 others? Do you know what the characters are near where the SF shields would go on the car? The artists chop? Greg
Greg, that is a great link and the referenced story is very interesting: the traditional technology of firing the celadon cracked-ceramic glaze that was the inspiration for the one-off was this month added to the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Lu Hao worked with Ferrari on the Chinese elements in the one-off and the 11 others. Ferrari sought the collaboration with a Mainland artist to ensure that the Chinese elements were authentic. Lu Hao was a passionate Ferrari owner before this project was conceived and his 430 is "much loved". The characters in red that you refer to are the artist's chop
Wow. That's a lot of dole. But the education part would be nice. Wonder how would the Chinese cars be like in 10yrs time.
Remember that the tax in China is killing. Car effectively sold for double the price of one of the red/grey China editions. It is a significant car and the premium is rather reasonable - especially given the charitable use of proceeds. Ferrari Asia Pacific did a fantastic job on this project
