Courtesy RM Sotheby’s
On January 31, 2024, the collector car world turned its eyes to Paris, where RM Sotheby’s offered one of the most exclusive track cars of the 21st century. A 2007 Maserati MC12 Versione Corse—one of only 12 ever produced—hammered for an impressive €3,042,500 EUR. As the most powerful Maserati ever built, this machine represents the absolute pinnacle of the Trident’s modern racing heritage.
The Return of the Trident
In the golden era of the 1950s, Maserati was synonymous with motorsport legends like Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. After decades of focusing on sophisticated road cars for the glitterati, Maserati returned to its roots at the dawn of the 21st century with a vengeance. The result was the MC12.
Unveiled in 2004 and sharing DNA with the Ferrari Enzo, the MC12 was purpose-built for FIA GT Championship homologation. Under the direction of Giorgio Ascanelli, the racing variant dominated the track, securing back-to-back wins at the Spa 24 Hours and cementing its reputation as the car to beat. But for some wealthy enthusiasts, watching from the sidelines wasn’t enough.
Unhindered Performance: The Versione Corse
In late 2006, Maserati answered the call of its most discerning clients with the MC12 Versione Corse. Like the Ferrari FXX, this was a machine designed purely for track use, unburdened by road regulations or motorsport restrictions.
Without the intake restrictors mandated by GT1 rules, the ‘Corsa’ was unleashed. Its matching-numbers 6.0-liter V-12 engine produces an astonishing 745 horsepower at 8,000 rpm—making it significantly more powerful than its championship-winning stablemate. To this day, it remains the most potent naturally aspirated Maserati ever produced.
Purity in Engineering
The Versione Corse is a masterclass in weight reduction and mechanical purity. Weighing in at just 1,150 kg—nearly 200 kg lighter than the Stradale—it dispenses with modern aids like traction control, stability control, and ABS. It offers a visceral, unfiltered connection between man and machine.
Despite its electrifying performance, capable of hitting 200 km/h from a standstill in just 6.4 seconds, the car is renowned for its surprisingly benign handling. With carbon-ceramic brakes and a six-speed Cambiocorsa gearbox, it delivers full-fat racing dynamics in a package that allows drivers to explore the limits of physics.
Chassis ‘0008’: A Rare Opportunity
The example sold in Paris, chassis ‘0008’, is particularly special. Originally delivered to a German connoisseur who also owned a Ferrari FXX, this car is finished in a striking Arancio (orange) livery with black Sparco seats.
Having seen minimal usage since new, the car has been meticulously maintained, including an engine rebuild by former Maserati Corse mechanics in Modena and service by specialists in Denmark. Offered with its full complement of accessories—including handbooks, fuel rig, and spare wheels—it represents a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition.
For the lucky new owner, this €3 million acquisition is more than just a car; it is a piece of automotive history, embodying the very soul of Maserati.
