13 Best Front-Engined Ferraris Ever
While mid-engined Ferraris often steal the spotlight, some of the brand’s most soul-stirring machines have kept their power up front.
At a small-town track day, a low-slung, V12-powered grand tourer pulled in with little fanfare, until it fired up and silenced everything but the sound of pure Italian fury.
Front-engined Ferraris have a way of blending elegance with brute force, wrapping savage performance in sculpted curves and timeless proportions.
1. Ferrari 250 GTO
Only 36 examples ever left the factory gates in Maranello, making the 250 GTO arguably the most coveted Ferrari in existence. Collectors have paid north of $70 million for one of these beauties!
Racing pedigree runs deep in its DNA, with the GTO dominating motorsport throughout the early 1960s.
The 3.0-liter V12 engine sings a mechanical symphony that car enthusiasts still dream about today.
2. Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Enzo Ferrari reportedly called this his favorite creation. With its shark-nose styling and perfect proportions, the 275 GTB/4 represents the golden age of automotive design.
Four camshafts (hence the /4 designation) helped the V12 engine produce a glorious sound that could make grown men weep.
Steve McQueen owned one, cementing its status as the coolest cat in Ferrari’s front-engined lineup.
3. Ferrari 550 Maranello
After years of mid-engined madness, Ferrari returned to its roots with the 550 Maranello in 1996. What a comeback!
This front-V12 grand tourer brought sexy back to Ferrari’s lineup with its classic proportions and understated elegance.
Capable of 199 mph yet comfortable enough for cross-continental adventures, the 550 perfectly balances ferocity and refinement.
The gated manual shifter provides a mechanical satisfaction that modern paddle-shift Ferraris simply can’t match.
4. Ferrari 575M Maranello
Evolution rather than revolution, the 575M took everything great about the 550 and cranked it up a notch.
Horsepower jumped to 515, and for the first time, Ferrari offered its F1-style paddle-shift transmission in a front-engined car. Many purists still prefer the manual gearbox version with its iconic metal gate.
The subtle design tweaks improved aerodynamics without sacrificing the timeless beauty that makes these V12 grand tourers so special.
5. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Named after Ferrari’s private test track, the 599 GTB brought supercar performance to the grand touring segment.
Its 6.0-liter V12 borrowed technology directly from the legendary Enzo supercar! Flying buttress C-pillars weren’t just for show—they generated real downforce without a garish wing.
The optional HGTE package transformed this comfortable cruiser into a corner-carving monster that could embarrass many mid-engined rivals.
6. Ferrari 812 Superfast
With a name that sounds like it was chosen by an excited eight-year-old, the 812 Superfast delivers exactly what it promises.
Packing a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 producing 789 horsepower, it’s the most powerful front-engined Ferrari ever made.
Zero to 60 mph happens in just 2.9 seconds—supercar territory! Active aerodynamics and four-wheel steering help tame this beast, though the rear end still loves to dance when provoked.
The glorious engine note at 8,900 rpm is automotive nirvana.
7. Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Unofficially named after Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 Daytona race, this Italian masterpiece became the definitive grand tourer of the early 1970s.
Those pop-up headlights and dramatically sloping rear end created an unmistakable silhouette.
Miami Vice fans might remember the black replica Daytona Spyder that Sonny Crockett drove in early seasons.
The real deal is even more impressive, with a 4.4-liter V12 capable of pushing this beauty to 174 mph—a proper supercar for its era.
8. Ferrari F12berlinetta
Automotive journalists ran out of superlatives trying to describe the F12’s 730-horsepower V12 engine.
The noise it makes—a spine-tingling crescendo that builds to a 8,700 rpm climax—should be classified as an addictive substance.
Aerodynamics shaped this beauty, with the “Aero Bridge” channels in the hood directing air along the flanks to reduce drag.
Jeremy Clarkson famously said it was “too fast for the road,” which in Ferrari terms is the highest compliment possible.
9. Ferrari 456 GT
Understated elegance defines the 456 GT, Ferrari’s idea of a practical four-seater. Pininfarina’s clean design has aged like fine Italian wine, looking increasingly sophisticated as automotive styling trends come and go.
Hidden headlights and subtle curves make this the stealth Ferrari—perfect for the owner who doesn’t need to shout about their wealth.
The 5.5-liter V12 provides ample power without the neck-snapping aggression of later models, creating a true gentleman’s express.
10. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Named after famed Ferrari coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti, this aluminum-bodied grand tourer offers genuine four-seat practicality wrapped in controversial styling.
Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore those distinctive scalloped sides! Under the lengthy hood lurks a front-mid mounted V12 producing 540 horsepower.
Despite weighing nearly two tons, the 612 handles with surprising agility thanks to its perfect weight distribution. The rare manual transmission versions are particularly coveted by collectors today.
11. Ferrari 365 GTC/4
Often overshadowed by its sexier sibling, the Daytona, the 365 GTC/4 deserves more recognition. Sporting a 2+2 configuration and slightly raised ride height, it’s the forgotten Ferrari that offers surprising practicality.
Six side-draft carburetors feed the V12 engine, creating a mechanical orchestra under that long hood.
The unique dashboard with its aircraft-inspired toggle switches feels special even by Ferrari standards. Only 505 were built, making this quirky beauty rarer than many more celebrated Ferraris.
12. Ferrari Monza SP2
Windshields are overrated according to the Monza SP2, Ferrari’s modern interpretation of a 1950s barchetta race car. This roofless, screenless beauty forces you to wear a helmet or risk eating bugs at 186 mph.
Limited to just 499 units, the Monza SP2 represents Ferrari’s “Icona” series celebrating its heritage. The 810-horsepower V12 sits proudly up front, delivering old-school thrills with modern performance.
Virtual aerodynamics create an invisible windshield, though your hairdo might disagree with Ferrari’s claims.
13. Ferrari Roma
La dolce vita on wheels! The Roma channels the spirit of 1960s grand touring Ferraris through a thoroughly modern lens.
Clean lines and minimal badging create an elegant silhouette that turns heads without shouting. A twin-turbocharged V8 sits under that long hood, delivering 612 horsepower to the rear wheels.
The interior feels like a spaceship compared to classic Ferraris, with dual cockpit-style seating and digital displays galore. Think of it as Ferrari’s idea of business casual—still impressive, just not wearing a loud suit.