Enzo Alternative: 2005 Maserati MC12

It’s hard to believe, but saving $1,000,000 is a big deal for some people. I mean, it seems silly to be concerned with such a trifling amount of cash when car shopping, but this economy is hitting everyone differently. The Maserati MC12 is a homologated supercar that is based heavily on the Ferrari Enzo. Despite the Maserati actually having achieved impressive on-track results and having real racing pedigree, it trades hands for far less than the Enzo, which has seen a recent auction result to the tune of over $15,000,000. So, some folks will absolutely be watching this 2005 MC12 closely when it heads to auction in May. Check it out here on Mecum.com, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Araknid78 for the find.

The Enzo was conceived as a tribute to the iconic Ferrari founder, if the name of the car didn’t already clue you in. It was destined to be a highly desirable supercar before it ever hit the showroom, with limited production numbers, exotic construction, and staggering performance. 400 units were sold and the Enzo has become one of the most sought-after “modern era” Ferraris, and outside of the sale mentioned above for a car with under 500 original miles, other Enzo sale prices range from $8 million to $11 million. Suffice to say, saving a million or two starts to actually mean something in this marketplace.

Call me crazy, but I like the MC12 more than the Enzo for several key reasons. First is the competition history and Maserati’s intent to win at all costs with the MC12. You simply don’t see that level of fire among manufacturers anymore when it comes to racing. In its debut at the 2004 FIA GT championship, the MC12 immediately took 2nd and 3rd place on the podium. The MC12 featured heavily revised bodywork to create the downforce and drag reduction necessary to win six team championships, six drivers’ championships, and two constructor’s titles. The body panels themselves were removable, making for easier access to vital components during pit stops.

Just to show you that there was real intent behind Maserati’s significant revisions to the Enzo, take the shared F140 DOHC V12 engine, an engineering masterpiece if there ever was one. Maserati swapped out the timing chains for gear-driven camshafts, even if it meant sacrificing some power and lowering the red line. With an eye towards winning 24 hour endurance races, the MC12 had to maximize every opportunity to avoid mechanical failure. With 630 horsepower, it still had plenty of grunt. Speaking of grunt, with recent sale prices for the MC12 around just over $5,000,000 and just under $4,000,000 (in 2024), it stands to reason that these cars are one of the last supercar “bargains” in existence. Do you think it will still look like a deal compared to an Enzo when it hits the stage in May?