The Sultan of Brunei, renowned for owning one of the most extravagant car collections in the world, secretly commissioned six one-of-a-kind Ferrari F90s—vehicles so exclusive that even Ferrari was unaware of their existence for years.
The project originated in 1989 when the Sultan’s brother, Prince Jeffri, approached Pininfarina’s then-design chief, Enrico Fumia, with a challenge: to create a Ferrari unlike any other, built entirely from scratch rather than based on an existing model. The design was loosely inspired by the Testarossa but took on a radically different form.
Keeping the project under strict secrecy, Pininfarina worked outside Ferrari’s purview, developing and testing the F90s in complete isolation. The commission was so significant that it provided Pininfarina with vital financial support at a crucial time, surpassing the revenue generated from all its other manufacturer contracts combined.
The secrecy paid off. Ferrari only became aware of the F90s in 2005—16 years after they were built. By then, the Italian automaker had no recourse but to acknowledge their existence, formally recognizing them as Ferrari models in 2006, despite never having seen them in person.
Details and images of the elusive F90s remain scarce. The few known pictures showcase a sleek, wedge-shaped design, a stark contrast to the Testarossa’s angular aesthetics. All six cars are believed to still reside in the Sultan’s vast collection, which boasts approximately 7,000 vehicles valued at an estimated $15 billion.
In an era where secrets are increasingly difficult to keep, the F90 project stands as a remarkable feat of discretion and automotive ambition—one that may never be replicated.