In the late 1980s, a remarkable and secretive order reached the famed Pininfarina design studio. This request came from Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the brother of the Sultan of Brunei, who sought a unique and exclusive Ferrari tailored specifically for him. The prince imposed one critical condition: the entire project must remain confidential.
So secretive was this undertaking that even Ferrari itself was unaware of its existence for 16 years. This article unravels the enigmatic tale of the only six Ferrari F90s in the world—a car shrouded in mystery and secrecy.
The Prince’s Secret Order
The F90’s saga first emerged in a revealing interview with Enrico Fumia, Pininfarina’s design and development director in the late 1980s. During that era, Prince Jefri was one of Ferrari’s most prolific clients, amassing a staggering collection of over 7,000 automobiles. This extravagant order came through an intermediary in 1988, seeking six exclusive units of a Ferrari, which would only belong to the prince. In exchange, Pininfarina was promised a handsome payment, an offer that came at a time when the studio was experiencing financial challenges.
According to Fumia, the prince’s commission turned Jefri Bolkiah into Pininfarina’s largest source of income, outweighing what they received from heavyweight manufacturers like Ferrari and Maserati.
The Design Process
The project was dubbed “F90,” signifying “the Ferrari of the nineties.” Utilizing the chassis of the iconic Ferrari Testarossa, the F90 featured a brand-new, dazzling design for its body, cabin, and roof while retaining only its engine, wheels, and mirrors from the base model.
Fumia described the F90 as perhaps the “most difficult and spectacular project” they had ever undertaken. One of its standout innovations was an unprecedented sliding roof that could fold back, seamlessly converting the vehicle into a convertible supercar.
To maintain secrecy, the design and testing were conducted discreetly, often at night. They would camouflage the car, erasing any markings associated with Ferrari, while even Fumia often participated in tests, driving the car carefully to avoid detection.
Under the Hood
Beneath the hood was a robust 4.9-liter, 390 HP twin-cylinder V12 engine, which Fumia designed according to classic Ferrari influences, drawing inspiration from legendary models like the 1964 500 Superfast.
After a painstaking journey, six units of the F90 were secretly delivered to Brunei, where they nestled quietly within the royal collection of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. These vehicles remained concealed from the public eye until 2002.
Revelation of the F90
It wasn’t until 2002 that mysterious images of an unknown Ferrari began emerging online. In 2005, Enrico Fumia finally disclosed the existence of the F90 to Ferrari, who responded positively. The car was officially recognized by Ferrari as a legitimate model, despite having never seen it in person.
Today, few details are known about the six F90s, which were reportedly painted in shades of black, blue, gray, red, white, and green. Remarkably, none of these vehicles have ever left the royal collection, preserving the aura of exclusivity and enigma that continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.
This mystique surrounding the Ferrari F90 continues to foster admiration among car aficionados, making it a unique piece of automotive history.