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If you need a carbon-fiber-bodied Ferrari F12, meet the Caballeria

Customizing a Ferrari, or any exotic for that matter, is a tricky process. Extreme looks and performance mean tuners and designers can't push the envelope much further without getting into tacky territory. But Spanish designers Bengala have toed the line with the new F12 Caballeria. Based on the F12berlinetta, obviously, Bengala claims the Caballeria draws inspiration from Ferrari's GT3 racers. We don't see it, but sure. The all-carbon-fiber body includes numerous smaller tweaks – check out the vents behind the doors and the new hood, for example – on top of much more drastic changes. The restyled fascia, larger intake, carbon-fiber splitter, and massive rear diffuser are the most obvious callbacks to Ferrari's road-going racers, while it looks like Bengala plucked certain new elements, like the three louver-style vents on top of the front fenders, from other Ferrari production cars. Those are the rear fender vents of the F12 TdF, for example. Bengala also swapped out the wheels for an Alpina-like fan-blade design. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket and dig the Caballeria's style, it might not look like a bad purchase. But be warned, unlike some other noted Ferrari modifiers, it doesn't sound like Bengala made any changes to the F12's 6.3-liter V12 engine. The company's press release didn't call out any mechanical changes, although that means there's still 730 ponies on tap – it's probably not a deal breaker. Like most of its projects, Bengala will only build 10 F12 Caballerias. It expects to wrap up production by the end of summer 2017. Related Video:

Ferrari 250 California record headlines $28.5M Baillon barnfind collection

Barn finds arise from time to time, bearing undiscovered treasures hidden away in some shed for decades before being unearthed and brought to the auction block. But few have ever compared to the Baillon Collection. And now its liquidation is complete, bringing in millions in sales on the back of frenzied bidding. Discovered just months ago, the Baillon Collection comprised some 100 vehicles said to have been rescued from the crusher by one Roger Baillon, a French transport magnate who intended to eventually put the cars on display in a museum. Unfortunately that never came to pass, but when the cars were found in sheds on his estate in rural France, the world took notice. In dire condition and in need of much TLC, 59 of the cars (those worth selling) were consigned to the auctioneers at Artcurial, which just handled their sale during the Retromobile classic car show this weekend in Paris. The highest price was fetched by a rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider with the highly desirable covered headlights found in the barn under a pile of old magazines. One of just 37 made, the drop-top Prancing Horse sold to an unnamed international collector for a record $18.5 million – far above initial estimates and, despite its condition, the most ever paid for a 250 GT of any kind. An American collector paid $2.2 million for the 1956 Maserati A6G bodied by Frua, also well above its pre-sale estimate range. A '49 Talbot-Lago T26 bodied by Saoutchik more than doubled even the top of its estimated value at $1.9 million, sold to a European collector. All told, the Baillon Collection brought in a staggering $28.5 million in sales, comprising over half the value of the lots, 89 percent of which Artcurial sold at the Retromobile auction.

Ferrari will expand its lineup of GT cars but won't chase volume

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Italian premium sports car maker Ferrari will expand sales of easier-driving grand touring cars, but will not try to chase rival Porsche's annual sales volume, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann told an audience of classic car enthusiasts gathered at this storied golf resort on the Pacific coast. Elkann also reiterated that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, of which he is chairman, remains open to opportunities to combine with other automakers, but is positioned to remain independent. Fiat Chrysler in May proposed a merger with French automaker Renault, but the deal fell apart after the French government intervened and Elkann withdrew the proposed merger. Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Mike Manley sent the same message to Renault and other would-be partners earlier this month. Elkann visited Pebble Beach during the annual Concours d'Elegance, during which wealthy collectors bring some of the world's rarest vintage automobiles to be admired — and sold — and premium manufacturers showcase exotic new models. Ferrari is best known for flashy, high-performance sports cars. Among fans of vintage Ferraris, more understated GT, or grand touring, cars from the 1960s, some with seating for four people, are among the most popular models on auction blocks and at enthusiast events. GT cars were designed to be comfortable on longer road trips. Elkann hinted Ferrari will unveil a new GT type car in November. Ferrari has said previously that about 40% of its total sales could come from GT cars by 2022, up from 32% now. Ferrari has outlined plans to expand revenue to 5 billion euros ($5.54 billion) by 2022 from 3.4 billion euros in 2017. The company has said it plans to add a model called the Purosangue to compete with a growing stable of sport utility vehicles wearing premium sports car brands, such as the Lamborghini Urus. Rival Porsche AG, a unit of Volkswagen AG, has expanded its sales to more than 250,000 sports cars and sport utility vehicles annually. Elkann said Ferrari is not aiming for Porsche's level of sales. Ferrari Convertible Coupe Crossover SUV Luxury Performance