He had bought his Ferrari V12 for €20,000… and is discovering (once again) why there’s really no such thing as a cheap Ferrari

Last April, we told you the pretty crazy story of this Ferrari 612 Scaglietti purchased for just €20,000. A large Italian GT equipped with a 540 ch V12, with nearly 90,000 km on the odometer, and—most importantly—sold at a price that was hard to believe. But behind this great deal lay a car that had been out of commission for a long time, with practically everything needing to be redone.

Since then, we hadn't really heard anything more about the project. That is, until a few days ago, when the Ferrari has reappeared in a video posted by the YouTube channel ShifTech TV. And this time, things are getting very real: a huge box of Ferrari parts accompanies the 612. Amount announced: more than 16,000 €.

«Nothing serious, but there's a lot to do»

That’s probably the phrase that best sums up this Ferrari. Lucien, its owner, confirms that he bought it for €20,000. The problem wasn’t a blown engine or a wrecked transmission, but the staggering amount of work it needed.

The bodywork has already undergone extensive restoration. Originally yellow, the 612 had been repainted black in the past—a job done poorly enough that the restoration largely revealed its original color. Some areas, in particular, were severely affected by rust. Mechanically, the assessment made in the spring was confirmed: brakes, tires, rims, rubber mounts, play in the suspension, fluids, timing… the Ferrari was running, but needed a nearly complete overhaul.

Already more than €16,000 worth of Ferrari parts

In this new video, we’re heading to Shifttech! This is where the phrase «affordable Ferrari» really starts to lose its meaning. Some of the work has already been completed, including the brakes and several components of the suspension system.

But now comes the most impressive part: the V12 engine. And for that, a large supply of new parts was ordered directly from Ferrari. The total cost is reported to exceed €16,000—just for the parts. These include, in particular, the components needed for the timing system, ignition coils, spark plugs, filters, belts, pulleys, a water pump, and various other parts required for the major overhaul.

Why go directly through Ferrari? Because for certain components of this 612, alternatives from aftermarket suppliers are limited—or even nonexistent. And when every little box bears a Ferrari part number, the bill quickly reaches a whole new level.

The V12's distribution system is becoming a major project

The timing belt replacement is now the trickiest part of the job. The belts on the car are visibly very cracked, and obviously there’s no way we can keep driving it like this. Plus, accessing them doesn’t seem particularly easy.

The team therefore prefers not to rush things. The technical documentation must be reviewed, the shim material checked, and all parts gathered before beginning. The water pump will also be replaced, and the V12’s compression should be checked while the spark plugs are being removed. Another detail that speaks volumes about the maintenance history: the last recorded oil change dates back to 2016. All fluids will therefore be replaced.

And another problem arises…

The inspection still holds another surprise. In the rear, where the 612’s automated transmission is located, a small leak is detected near the gear selector or the hydraulic unit. There’s no reason to suspect a serious problem at this point: on the contrary, the transmission appears to be in particularly good condition. Nevertheless, an additional gasket will be added to the parts order. The good news is that the engine also appears clean, with no visible, concerning oil leaks. And the clutch had already been replaced recently—a particularly costly component that had provided reassurance right from the initial diagnosis.

€20,000 for the purchase… but already almost as much in coins

That, ultimately, is the whole paradox of this Ferrari. Its owner did indeed buy a 612 Scaglietti V12 for €20,000. But getting it back on the road properly now requires more than €16,000 in parts, not to mention all the bodywork, a complete repaint, and the labor needed for the restoration.

The project could still be financially viable, however. In the video, the value of a beautiful 612 is estimated at between €75,000 and €100,000. Once fully restored, Lucien even mentions the possibility of selling his for around €60,000, although his main goal seems to be enjoying the car and creating video content with it. For now, therefore, it still hasn’t been saved. A few parts are still missing before he can really get started on the V12. A new video will be dedicated specifically to this entire mechanical aspect.