There are rare Ferraris, and then there is the unique specimen that the storied Italian manufacturer apparently allowed to break its own strict dress code. RM Sotheby’s has announced that it will offer an extraordinary 2004 Ferrari Enzo finished in Matte Nero Opaco, marking the only Enzo ever painted in a matte finish directly from the factory. Commissioned by a prominent member of the Royal Family of Brunei, this remarkable machine also holds the distinction of being the very first Ferrari hypercar delivered by the factory in a matte paint scheme—arriving years before muted, non-reflective finishes began appearing everywhere from modern hypercars to everyday family SUVs. Bidding for this singular piece of automotive history is scheduled to open on September 23 as a premier highlight of RM Sotheby’s exclusive Sealed September sale.
The specification of the vehicle was remarkably restrained for an ultra-high-performance machine whose very definition is centered on commanding attention. Its dramatic Nero Opaco exterior paint is paired with a matching Nero leather interior and carpets, providing a stark yet sophisticated cabin that is tastefully interrupted by vibrant red instrumentation and large-sized racing seats. Production of the car officially commenced on June 8, 2004, with the completed vehicle finally leaving the hallowed gates of Maranello that October.
Following its delivery, the car was initially kept at the royal family’s residence in London, where it would occasionally be spotted making stealthy appearances around upscale neighborhoods such as Hampstead, Mayfair, and Knightsbridge, before eventually being relocated to the Asia-Pacific region. In essence, one of the most visually aggressive and conspicuous vehicles ever produced by Ferrari spent its formative years trying, at least chromatically, to keep a remarkably low profile on busy metropolitan streets.
Black Before Matte Went Mainstream
Originally designed by Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina, the Ferrari Enzo was already a profoundly dramatic proposition even when ordered in standard specification. Unveiled to the public in 2002 and named in honor of the company’s legendary founder, its sharply pointed nose, aerodynamic wind-cheating profile, and advanced carbon-fiber construction drew heavily from Ferrari’s dominant Formula 1 racing technology of the era. Tucked deep beneath the aggressive bodywork sits a magnificent, naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine capable of pumping out an impressive 660 horsepower.
To help harness this monumental power safely and effectively, the car was equipped with state-of-the-art carbon-ceramic brakes, an advanced push-rod suspension system, and complex electronically integrated vehicle controls that effectively brought bleeding-edge race track technology directly onto public roads. Ferrari originally intended to build a strictly limited run of 399 examples, a figure that was later expanded by a single unit to create a 400th car produced specifically as a gift for Pope John Paul II in 2005.
While the overwhelming majority of Enzos left the factory doors in considerably more familiar and traditional territory—with Rosso Corsa serving as the dominant choice by far, followed closely by Giallo Modena and conventional gloss Nero—other custom shades could theoretically be ordered through special client programs. However, according to RM Sotheby’s records, only a single customer requested a completely matte color straight from the factory floor.
This daring choice feels significantly less surprising when considering the identity of its original commissioner. The Brunei royal family became globally renowned during the 1990s and 2000s for commissioning highly bespoke, one-off, and uniquely specified automobiles from major European manufacturers. Furthermore, this particular Enzo arrived during an era when matte paint was still decidedly outside the automotive mainstream. Two decades later, the low-sheen finish looks considerably less eccentric to modern eyes, which may ironically be precisely what makes this original factory interpretation feel so historically significant and compelling once again.
Restored, Certified, and Back Under the Hammer
The story of this exceptional hypercar continued to evolve when it returned to Europe in 2022 to undergo an extensive and meticulous cosmetic restoration at Carrozzeria Zanasi, the official specialist facility entrusted with maintaining Ferrari’s rarest hypercars, Icona series models, and exclusive Tailor Made projects. More than 110,000 euros was invested in the comprehensive rejuvenation process, which included replacing the headlamps, the rear bonnet glass, and aging interior switches, alongside a professional repainting of the entire body in its correct, original Matte Nero Opaco hue. Later that same year, the car received official Ferrari Classiche certification, formally confirming that it retains its original matching-numbers chassis, engine, gearbox, and coachwork.
Now showing just 5,763 kilometers on the odometer, the one-off Enzo is returning to the spotlight as Lot 7 in RM Sotheby’s Sealed September sale. To ensure the car remains in peak mechanical condition, a new clutch and updated fuel pumps were expertly fitted in August 2024 when the odometer read 5,742 kilometers, with only minimal mileage added since that service.
RM Sotheby’s has opted not to publish a pre-sale auction estimate, leaving prospective collectors and high-end bidders to decide for themselves exactly how much ultimate exclusivity—and perhaps the automotive world’s most deliberate rejection of traditional Rosso Corsa—is truly worth in the current market. Bidding for the auction opens at 2:00 PM EDT on September 23 and is scheduled to begin closing sequentially at 2:00 PM EDT on September 30, 2026.
