Ferrari feeds diamonds to the pony

Priced at $AUD 275,000, the historic Ferrari tome will make its Australian debut at the 2011 Melbourne Grand Prix on 27 March 2011, and there will only ever be one in Australia.

Titled The Official Ferrari Opus, it's the most lavish, most valuable history of Ferrari that has ever been produced. It weighs in at 37 kilos and is 50cm x 50cm, with 852 pages, 200,000 words and more than 2000 pictures, many of which were specially commissioned for the Opus or come from Ferrari's historic records and have never previously been published. The Opus includes gatefold pictures two metres long and exclusive interviews the motorsport legends that have been part of Ferrari's unique history.

The legendary Italian carmaker is not known for doing things by half. This lavish composition is extravagant in every detail.

"Opus is not a book; it's a concerto. A triumphant opera whose score is made up of cars, technology, history and achievements, and whose heroes will live on forever," says Antonio Ghini, Creative Advisor, The Official Ferrari Opus, and Ferrari's former communication and brand management director. "Opus, like Ferrari, is a unique experience."

At the Australian Grand Prix the ultimate edition of The Official Ferrari Opus, the Enzo 'Diamante' edition, will be on display. Only one copy, priced at $AUD 275,000 including GST will be exclusively available for sale in Australia. Featuring a diamond encrusted Ferrari 'Prancing Horse' made with more than 30 carats of diamonds, rated VVS and rare white (F) is mounted on the handcrafted red leather cover; the Opus represents the ultimate history of Ferrari.

To make the experience of owning an Enzo 'Diamante' edition truly special, each owner will automatically be a part of an official, exclusive Ferrari draw to win a unique Ferrari F1 car.

The very first copy of The Official Ferrari Opus is travelling the world so that it may be signed by motoring and motorsport legends. This special copy will tour to several of the grand prix-hosting cities, starting with Melbourne for the opening Grand Prix of the season, and will be signed by many dignitaries along the way to its final destination - Maranello, the home of Ferrari. During the 'Journey to Maranello' tour, members of the public will have the opportunity to bid for this one-off Opus in a global auction - with all proceeds going to charity.

In addition to the Enzo 'Diamante' edition of The Official Ferrari Opus, there are three other editions:

Enzo

Available in a limited series of 400, just like the road car it is named after, this is the marquee edition of The Official Ferrari Opus. Presented in a sleek, black carbon-fibre clamshell, adorned with the world-famous Ferrari racing shield, the Enzo edition is the most desirable publication ever on the marque. Each copy is personally signed by all living Ferrari world champions on an individually numbered, silver-foiled signature sheet. This little number could be yours for just $AUD 34,925 including GST.

Cavallino Rampante

Limited to just 500 copies worldwide, the Cavallino Rampante edition includes the personal signatures of Ferrari greats, past and present. Gracing the cover of each copy is an official Ferrari badge, identical to those seen on Ferrari road cars. It's a snip at $AUD 6,545 including GST.

Classic

The Classic edition of The Official Ferrari Opus is limited to 4100 copies worldwide and is presented in a silk-cloth covered clamshell case. It features a silver-foiled signature sheet, signed by current Ferrari Formula 1 drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. This version is priced at $AUD 3,520 including GST.

The content for The Official Ferrari Opus has been gathered from around the world and is much more than a history of the company or a catalogue of its remarkable road and racing cars.

"Ferrari is not just about fast and fabulous cars - it is a global community, the expression of a dream and a synonym for Italian style," says Eszter Karpati, Editor, The Official Ferrari Opus. "In The Official Ferrari Opus we have tried to tell the full story of this fascinating brand in all its complexities while also placing it in new and sometimes unexpected contexts to explore different aspects of its unique appeal."

Editorial highlights of The Official Ferrari Opus include a selection of iconic Ferrari images, each displayed on a spectacular scale, highlighting the personalities, cars and some magic moments from the company's illustrious history. For the first time, Piero Ferrari presents the picture collages created by his father to record all drivers and victories year by year. A slew of insiders and officianados have contributed to the work, with Niki Lauda, Franco Gozzi and Sir Frank Williams among those who give personal insights into Ferrari's twin giants, Enzo Ferrari and Luca di Montezemelo.

The book outlines every car Ferrari has ever produced - the single seaters that marked turning points in Ferrari history, the road models most loved by Ferrari customers and the sports cars that make the brand a world leader. There are details of all drivers ever contracted for Scuderia Ferrari, with comments on each from Enzo Ferrari, Piero Ferrari and Luca di Montezemolo, plus an interview with the legendary champion Niki Lauda. Enthusiasts will appreciate the exclusive stage-by-stage tour of the Maranello dream factory, and interviews with legendary engineer Mauro Forghieri and Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa. Rankin, one of the world's leading photographers, offers his own take on the seductive appeal of the 1961 250 Spider California, while world-renowned design expert Stephen Bayley explains why Ferrari provides the ultimate expression of the most alluring aspects of Italian culture.

The Official Ferrari Opus is available to order from Ferrari dealers in Australia and New Zealand.