- Used Auto

For enthusiasts hunting for a practical Ferrari, the production lineup is surprisingly sparse. One-off creations like the Ferrari 599 shooting brake offer a solution, though they arrive without factory badges or warranties. Niels van Roij Design recently unveiled the Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage, transforming a V12-powered 599 into a bespoke wagon. This project highlights a niche market for owners who want a grand tourer estate that does not follow the mainstream path.

The project reimagines an eCoty-winning platform. It serves as a tribute to Luigi Chinetti Jr.’s 1972 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Shooting Brake. That car, in turn, drew inspiration from the 250GT SWB ‘Breadvan’. The new build keeps only the doors from the donor 599. The rest of the aluminum structure stretches rearward without fully replicating the ‘Breadvan’ shape. A width-spanning orange design element nods to the 1972 classic.

The grille includes fog lights, while the rear receives a four-tip exhaust system within a large carbon fiber diffuser. The rear glass inset into the bodywork, with lighting recessed behind it, provides another clear callback to the 1972 classic.

Instead of a traditional boot lid, the vehicle uses electronically operated butterfly glass hatches. The design lifts almost like luggage bins found in a GMA T.50. Six CNC-machined aluminum runners line the carbon fiber load floor inside. The body, across the existing chassis and the new elements, is all aluminum. This construction replaces the famous flying buttresses of the 599 and the convex rear window glass. Everything rear of the back wheels and B-pillar is one-piece with no shut lines to the rear bumper.

The connection to the 250GT SWB ‘Breadvan’ reveals a specific philosophy in automotive design: often, the most striking creations emerge from necessity rather than luxury. While modern supercars prioritize aerodynamics and comfort, the ‘Breadvan’ was a utilitarian racer. This custom wagon evokes that spirit, trading the comfort of the original 599 for a silhouette that prioritizes airflow and visual impact, a trend that remains influential in the world of limited-edition sports cars.

The cabin stands out for its unconventional layout. Designers took the instrument cluster and moved it to the center of the dash, replacing the middle air vents. This feature recalls the 1972 Breadvan. A user might find the dashboard layout resembles a Toyota Yaris from the early 2000s. Comfort takes a backseat to the build’s identity as a piece of art.

The interior features Cognac tan leather and diamond stitching on carbon bucket seats. The steering wheel lacks the Cavallino emblem.

Though not specifically confirmed, the coachbuild appears to retain Ferrari’s F1 single-clutch transmission, rather than being converted to a manual as is becoming popular with 599s.

With these sorts of one-offs, price is often a question of whether you can write a blank cheque. For legal reasons, the wagon is not officially a Ferrari. It is a unique machine built for a single owner who desires an estate car with significant character and history.