Ferrari is known for its iconic red color, but the Italian sports car manufacturer has also used white and other colors on many models throughout its history. Determining the exact white paint color code used on different Ferrari models requires digging into the company’s archives.
The Origin of Ferrari White
In the early decades of Ferrari, the company almost exclusively used Rosso Corsa red as the exterior color. However, Ferrari did build a few custom models in different colors in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of these were white, including a 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus commissioned by film director Roberto Rossellini.
The first regular production Ferrari in white was the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione in the early 1960s. Several of these rare models were painted in Bianco (white). In 1967, Ferrari began offering Nero (black) and Blu Sera (dark blue) as standard catalog colors in addition to Rosso Corsa.
Ferrari Bright White in the 1980s and 1990s
In the 1980s, Ferrari started using a bright solid white called Bianco Avus. This name came from the Avus racing circuit in Germany. Some of the 1980s and early 1990s Ferrari models available in Bianco Avus included:
- Ferrari Testarossa
- Ferrari F40
- Ferrari Mythos concept car
- Ferrari 348
- Ferrari F512M
- Ferrari 456
- Ferrari F355
- Ferrari 550 Maranello
The exact paint code for Bianco Avus varied slightly depending on the model:
| Model | Paint Code |
|---|---|
| Ferrari Testarossa | Bianco Avus 198 |
| Ferrari F40 | Bianco Avus Opaco 65300 |
| Ferrari F355 | Bianco Avus 03.800.099A |
| Ferrari 456 | Bianco Avus 3.800C |
Modern Ferrari White Paint Codes
In the 2000s and 2010s, Ferrari introduced some new white paint options. These included:
- Bianco Fuji – a pearlescent white offered on several models
- Bianco Avus Opaco – a matte finish white
- Bianco Monocerus – a tri-coat white
Some examples of modern Ferraris available in white include:
- Ferrari Enzo
- Ferrari F430
- Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
- Ferrari California
- Ferrari 458
- Ferrari F12berlinetta
- Ferrari LaFerrari
Here are the paint codes for some of these recent white colors:
| Paint Color | Paint Code |
|---|---|
| Bianco Fuji Pearl | 4404 |
| Bianco Avus Opaco | 101B |
| Bianco Monocerus | SCFH |
Identifying the White Paint Code
The easiest way to identify the exact white paint code on a specific Ferrari is to check the color code sticker located inside the drivers door jamb. This factory sticker will list the paint name and paint code used when the car was manufactured.
You can also contact Ferrari with the VIN to request the factory build records, which will include the exterior color and paint code. Ferrari dealerships can also look up the paint code in their systems for certified Ferraris if you provide the VIN.
For older Ferraris without documentation, you may need to get a paint sample analyzed at an auto paint store. They can often match the color and determine what paint code the manufacturer used.
Matching Ferrari White Paint
If you need to repaint your Ferrari in the original white color, having the specific OEM paint code is crucial. Generic white auto paint will not match the bright whites used by Ferrari over the years.
With the factory code, you can purchase perfectly matched touch up paint or have a body shop accurately mix the full white paint for respraying the entire car. This will ensure the repainted white looks seamless and identical to the original.
Some of the high-end specialty Ferrari paint suppliers include:
- Spinneybeck Enterprises
- Spectrum Color
- Auto Color Specialists
Using paint specifically formulated to match the original OEM Ferrari colors based on the factory codes will give you the best results when touching up chips and scratches or repainting the entire car.
Ferrari White in Car Culture
While red is the quintessential Ferrari color, white Ferraris have made an impact on pop culture over the years. Notable examples include:
- The white Ferrari Testarossa from Miami Vice in the 1980s
- Tom Selleck’s Ferrari 308 GTS in the TV series Magnum P.I.
- The Ferrari F355 Spider driven by Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop III
- Eric Clapton’s Ferrari 458 in bright white
- Deadmau5’s custom Ferrari 458 “Purrari” with the Nyan Cat wrap
Other celebrity owners of white Ferraris over the decades have included James Coburn, Sylvester Stallone, Jay Kay, and Justin Bieber. White Ferraris have appeared in numerous films, TV shows, music videos, and video games such as Forza Horizon and Need for Speed.
The Future of Ferrari White
Ferrari continues to use white paint on various new models today like the Roma and the 812 Superfast. The company currently offers an Individual customization program that allows buyers to select special exterior colors beyond the normal selection.
This includes a range of whites along with pearlescent, matte, and tri-coat options. So the tradition of elegant white Ferraris lives on alongside the signature red. White will likely remain a popular Ferrari paint color choice bringing a sense of modern style and understated exclusivity.
Conclusion
In summary, Ferrari has used various whites since the early years, though red has dominated as the iconic Ferrari color. The company has evolved its bright white paint formulas over the decades, with color codes like Bianco Avus in the 1980s to the more modern Bianco Fuji pearl. Identifying the exact factory color code is key for properly matching the original white paint for repairs or resprays. While red is certainly the quintessential Ferrari color, white Ferraris have also become an important part of the prancing horse’s legacy and presence in popular culture.
