What You Can Customize on a Ferrari
Ferrari offers customization through its Tailor Made program, which lets you change exterior colors, interior materials, wheels, and performance details on most models before delivery. You cannot fundamentally alter the chassis, engine displacement, or safety structure — those are fixed by the model you choose. What you can change ranges from paint finishes and leather trim to carbon fiber accents, seat stitching patterns, and infotainment settings.
The scope of customization depends on which Ferrari model you are ordering. Current production models like the F8 Tributo, SF90 Stradale, and 12Cilindri each have different customization menus. Limited-edition or one-off models sometimes allow deeper changes, but these are rare and require direct negotiation with Ferrari's design team in Maranello, Italy.
Customization happens during the ordering process, not after delivery. Once your car is built, major changes become expensive retrofits rather than factory options. This is why understanding what you want before you place an order matters.
Key Takeaways
- Ferrari customization occurs through the Tailor Made program during the ordering phase, before the car is manufactured.
- You can change paint, leather, wheels, carbon fiber trim, and interior details, but not the engine or structural components.
- Each Ferrari model has its own customization menu, so options vary depending on which car you order.
- Work with an authorized Ferrari dealer to access Tailor Made options and place your order with specifications.
- Customization timelines extend the total delivery window, which typically ranges from 12 to 24 months depending on complexity.
How the Tailor Made Customization Process Works
The process begins when you contact an authorized Ferrari dealer and express interest in a specific model. The dealer connects you with Ferrari's sales team, who provide a customization menu for that model. You then work with a Ferrari design consultant — either in person at a dealership or remotely — to select your options from available categories.
You do not design the car from scratch. Instead, you choose from preset options within each category: paint colors (solid, metallic, or custom mixes), leather types and colors, stitching patterns, wheel designs and finishes, brake caliper colors, and interior trim materials. Some dealers have physical samples of leather and paint so you can see how combinations look together under different lighting.
Once you finalize your selections, the dealer submits your order to Ferrari's manufacturing facility in Maranello. Your car is then built to your specifications. The entire process — from initial consultation to delivery — typically takes 12 to 24 months, depending on how many custom details you request and current production schedules.
Paint and Exterior Color Options
Ferrari offers around 50 standard paint colors across categories like solid reds, metallics, special finishes, and heritage colors. Beyond the standard palette, you can request a custom color mix through Tailor Made, though this adds time and cost to your order.
Special finishes like matte, satin, or pearl effects are available on most models but carry additional charges. Some colors are model-specific — certain heritage shades may only be offered on specific Ferraris. Your dealer can show you how a color looks on a car similar to the model you are ordering, which helps you visualize the final result.
If you want a color that does not exist in Ferrari's catalog, you can provide a reference — a paint chip, a photograph, or even a sample from another car — and Ferrari's team will attempt to match it. This custom color service takes longer and costs more than selecting from the standard menu.
Interior Customization: Leather, Trim, and Details
The interior is where most owners make distinctive choices. You select leather color and type (Nappa, Alcantara, or combinations), seat stitching patterns, dashboard trim material (carbon fiber, leather, or wood), and accent colors for piping and logos.
Leather options typically include 10 to 15 colors, and you can mix colors — for example, black leather seats with red stitching and a tan dashboard. Alcantara (a suede-like synthetic) is popular for steering wheels and trim accents. Carbon fiber is standard on performance models but can be added or removed based on preference.
Smaller details matter too: you can customize the color of seat belts, the finish on interior metal trim, floor mat colors, and even the stitching pattern on the steering wheel. These choices do not affect performance but make the car feel personally yours when you sit inside.
Wheels, Brakes, and Performance Details
Ferrari offers multiple wheel designs for each model, typically ranging from 5 to 10 options. You choose the design, size (within the model's approved range), and finish — polished, matte, or painted in a color that coordinates with your exterior paint.
Brake calipers can be painted in various colors, and some models let you choose between red, yellow, or black. Suspension tuning is sometimes available as a customization option, allowing you to adjust stiffness for road versus track use, though this varies by model.
Performance upgrades like carbon ceramic brakes or upgraded exhaust systems are sometimes offered as Tailor Made options rather than dealer add-ons. Ask your dealer which performance customizations are available for your specific model and whether they affect warranty or maintenance costs.
Custom One-Off and Special Commission Builds
Beyond Tailor Made, Ferrari occasionally accepts special commissions for one-off cars or limited runs. These are rare, expensive, and require direct approval from Ferrari's leadership. A special commission might involve unique body panels, a custom interior layout, or performance modifications not available through the standard program.
Special commissions are typically only offered to established Ferrari collectors or owners with significant purchase history. If you are interested in a truly unique car, discuss this with your dealer, who can relay your request to Ferrari's design office. Expect a lengthy negotiation process and a price significantly higher than a standard Tailor Made order.
Lead times for special commissions can exceed 24 months, and there is no may provide Ferrari will accept your proposal. The company prioritizes feasibility, safety, and brand consistency, so requests that conflict with those principles will be declined.
Cost, Timeline, and What Happens After Delivery
Customization through Tailor Made does not add a fixed cost — instead, individual options carry their own prices. A custom paint color might add $2,000 to $5,000, carbon fiber trim might add $3,000 to $8,000, and premium leather upgrades might add $1,000 to $3,000. The total depends on how many options you select and which ones.
Timeline varies based on customization complexity. A car with standard options might deliver in 12 to 14 months. A heavily customized car with custom paint, special leather combinations, and performance tuning could take 18 to 24 months or longer. Your dealer provides an estimated delivery window when you place your order.
After delivery, major customization becomes difficult and expensive. Repainting a Ferrari costs $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the finish. Reupholstering the interior runs $10,000 to $30,000. This is why getting your specifications right during the ordering phase matters — changes after delivery are treated as repairs or retrofits, not factory customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize a Ferrari I buy used or from dealer inventory?
No. Customization only happens during the factory build process. If you buy a used Ferrari or a car already in dealer inventory, you get what was originally ordered. You can modify it afterward through aftermarket shops, but that is different from factory Tailor Made customization.
What if I change my mind about my customization after I place the order?
Changes depend on how far along your car is in production. Early in the build, most changes can be made with minimal delay. Once manufacturing has begun on specific components, changes become difficult or impossible. Your dealer can tell you the cutoff date for modifications when you place your order.
Do custom colors and materials affect resale value?
Resale value depends more on mileage, condition, and model rarity than on customization choices. A well-maintained custom Ferrari typically holds value as well as a standard one. However, extremely unusual color or interior combinations might appeal to fewer buyers, which could slightly affect demand.
Can I order a Ferrari with a custom engine or performance upgrade?
Engine displacement and core performance specs are fixed by the model. You cannot order a 12-cylinder engine in a model that comes with an 8-cylinder. Some performance tuning options are available through Tailor Made, but fundamental engine changes are not part of the customization program.
How do I know which customization options are available for my model?
Your authorized Ferrari dealer has the complete customization menu for any model you are interested in. They can show you available colors, materials, and options specific to that car. If you are shopping before visiting a dealer, Ferrari's official website lists current models, but the full Tailor Made menu is only available through a dealer consultation.