Jalopnik: vandenbrink

The Vandenbrink GT Convertible, For When A Sub-$2 Mil Ferrari Is An Insult

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST

Dutch custom car maker Vandenbrink, which specializes in cars we'll never be able to afford, has released the first image of its GT Convertible. Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, this stallion for the well-heeled is going to feature a custom lightweight carbon fibre folding hardtop to keep things inside the cabin when cruising turns into shredding. Other than that we're a bit short on details, though it's rumored the engine will come out of the Edo Competition 599, which could mean power in the 650 to 750 hp range.

How much for your own extra special Ferrari? Somewhere above $2 million, most likely. But don't worry, they may be doing a more affordable R8, Z06 or Spyker version. [World Car Fans]

Vandenbrink Design GTO, Now on Video

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:55:23 EDT

Dig the haunting piano theme, or just sit back and admire the digital rendering of Vandenbrink Design's coachworks project. It's in honor of the Ferrari 250 GTO. Production starts on the first of five cars next year, with a top spec model producing 750 horsepower. Otherwise, think of the millions of dollars it'll take to put something like it in your driveway, either original or reproduced, and laugh maniacally.

Vandenbrink Design to Build Coachworks Homage to the Ferrari 250 GTO

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:15:05 EDT

Back in 2006, when Michiel van den Brink revealed his designs for a tribute to the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, Ferraristi were taken by its curvilinear sex appeal. So taken, that some offered their deep pockets in exchange for one in three dimensions. Now, it appears the designer's turned the spec project into a real, coachbuilding exercise. His company, Vandenbrink Design, announced today five of the GTOs will be built, each one based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The price for the rebody job will start at a stout 993,000 Euros or $1.4 million, which includes interior specialization by Henk van Lith. Two models are in the offing: a 599 GTO with stock 6.0-liter V12 producing 650 hp, and the 630 GTO, which offers some manner of engine tune by EDO Competition to produce 750 hp. Production will start in 2008, the company says, though there's no confirmation that the first buyer will be descended from one of the guys on the Dutch Masters cigar box. [UPDATE: Now, there's video.] [Vandebrink Design]

Press Release:

Vandenbrink Design unveils special coachbuilt GTO

Vandenbrink Design joins the revival of special coachbuilding by presenting their design of the GTO, a tribute to the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

The GTO was designed in 2006 by Michiel van den Brink, who founded the Vandenbrink Design company with business partner Robert Koumans in the Netherlands. The worldwide acclaim the artist impressions received exceeded all expectations; TopGear even wrote "Ocular Nirvana: arguably the best-looking car in the world". The overwhelming response put the bar high, but it encouraged Vandenbrink to accept the challenge by preparing the design for production.

The new coachwork will be handcrafted following the classic tradition in aluminium by Dutchman Alwin Hietbrink, who is worldwide known by his excellent aluminium craftsmanship in restoration and rebuilding projects of classic Italian iconic sportscars such as the genuine Ferrari 250 GTO.

Optional interior/upholstery redesign will be performed by the Dutch craftsman Henk van Lith, also worldwide known by his specialization in the making of high quality Italian interiors.

The GTO is technically based on the superb Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano platform.

In cooperation with race engineering expert EDO Competition two versions are offered:
- the 599 GTO (5998 cc / 650 hp / 630 Nm) and
- the high performance 630 GTO (6300 cc / 750 hp / 680 Nm).

Through this unique approach the GTO offers a synthesis of automotive art, craftsmanship and state-of-the-art platform and performance engineering.

Only 5 GTO's will be built for customers, guaranteeing exceptional exclusivity. Customer interest appeared solid; first coachworks have been reserved. Production will start in 2008; delivery to the first owner will be in 2009.

Price of a full-options 630 GTO is 993.000,- euros (excl. base 599 GTB Fiorano, ex taxes).

Vandenbrink Design:

Vandenbrink Design BV is an automotive design company, located in The Netherlands.
It is a privately owned company, founded in 2006 by Michiel van den Brink and Robert Koumans.
The company focus is on special design and coachbuilding for highly exclusive sportscars.

Another Ferrari Ferrari Didn't Build: The Vandenbrink GTO

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 08:28:17 EDT

The trend toward coachbuilding houses ripping Ferrari product apart and rebuilding them to different spec continues, largely unabated. Well, it will, once Vandenbrink Design of the Netherlands renders their GTO design study in sheetmetal. The company, started by an automotive designer and an entrepreneur who's worked in aerospace engineering, plans to court potential customers who aren't satisfied with the looks of their 599GTB, then have Dutch coachbuilding house Hietbrink do the grunt work. Now all they need is a billionaire with a 599GTB to spare. Who wants to be first?

[Vandenbrink Design via Autoblog.nl]