Azzurro California Ferrari 296 GTS Gets Upgraded With NOVITEC Carbon Fiber & Detailed

The Ferrari 296 GTS is one of the most complete convertibles Maranello has ever built, and the numbers back that up. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 pairs with a plug-in hybrid electric motor for a combined 819 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is a 0-60 mph sprint in the high 2-second range, 0-100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, and a top speed north of 205 mph (330 km/h). Underneath the retractable hardtop, the 296 GTS carries design cues pulled straight from Ferrari’s endurance-racing heritage: a Kamm-tail rear end, the signature “aero bridge” flowing through the flanks, and proportions inspired by the 250 LM. It’s a car built to look as fast as it is.

This particular 296 GTS arrived at our Hawthorne, CA facility finished in Azzurro California, a metallic blue long associated with Ferrari’s most storied color palette. It’s a shade that shifts beautifully in daylight, and it gave our team a perfect canvas to build something both aggressive and true to the car’s character.

The Build That Subtly Redefines This 296 GTS

Our team started with a full aerodynamic upgrade using genuine NOVITEC Sport carbon fiber components. Novitec has been building its reputation since 1989, when founder Wolfgang Hagedorn started the tuning house in Stetten, Germany, with a focus on Ferraris. That early work grew into a dedicated Ferrari division, Novitec Rosso, and decades later the brand’s name is still one of the most respected in the exotic tuning world. Every aero piece Novitec produces goes through real wind tunnel testing before it ever reaches a customer’s car, so the parts aren’t just styling additions; they’re engineered to actually improve downforce and stability at speed. Fitment is developed to Ferrari’s own factory tolerances, which is why these components mount directly to the original bumper, rocker panels, and rear fascia with no cutting or bodywork required, something our technicians can confirm firsthand after installing them.

• Carbon fiber front splitter: sharpens the nose and reduces front-axle lift at speed
• Carbon fiber side skirts: lowers the visual stance and cleans up airflow along the rockers
• Carbon fiber rear diffuser: completes the aero package and reinforces the car’s motorsport-inspired lines

Every piece was fitted in-house, finished in a high-gloss clear coat that matches the factory carbon accents throughout the car. This wasn’t our team’s first time working with Novitec components on the 296 platform either. We recently completed a Novitec x Vossen wheel build on a Ferrari 296 GTB in our shop, so our technicians already know exactly how these parts should sit, align, and seal against the factory panels before the car ever comes in.

To back up the new aero, we installed Novitec Sport suspension lowering springs, dialed in with a custom ride height to give the 296 GTS a more planted stance without sacrificing everyday drivability. Once the suspension was set, the car went through a full 4-wheel alignment to make sure the new geometry was dialed in correctly, and the tires wear evenly going forward.

We finished the job with a full vehicle detail, bringing the paint, wheels, and interior back to a showroom-quality standard before it left our shop. This isn’t a quick wash and vacuum. As an exclusive XPEL partner in Los Angeles, our concours-level process runs from a full hand wash through multi-step paint correction, reinforced with a pH-neutral product line built to protect the paint rather than strip it. It’s the same standard that’s earned us a perfect 5.0 rating across 68 Yelp reviews, and it’s why owners trust us with everything from Ferraris and Rolls-Royces to one-off builds like this one, all inside a secured, appointment-only facility.

Why the Owner Chose Bulletproof Auto Spa

Bulletproof Auto Spa is a premier detailing facility in Hawthorne, CA, equipped to handle pristine high-performance builds like this with ease. When this owner came to us, the ask was simple: find a shop that’s reputable, experienced, and can do more than just sell parts. A lot of shops can order a part. Fewer can install it correctly on a car like this, and fewer still can handle the parts sourcing, the installation, the alignment, and the detail all under one roof. That one-stop-shop convenience, backed by a team that works on exotics every day, is exactly what brought this 296 GTS to Bulletproof.

See the Full Build

Considering a project of your own? Bulletproof Auto Spa offers a free paint inspection and quote. Stop by our Hawthorne, CA shop and let our team walk you through exactly what your vehicle needs, whether that’s a full restyle, paint protection, or a performance upgrade like this one. Want a closer look at this Azzurro California 296 GTS? Check out the media gallery below for the full set of photos from the build.