Charlie Graovac, co-owner of a vehicle rental company for film and television, has a deep passion for cars, inherited alongside his father. Although he didn’t participate in car shows or meets, he made light modifications to some of his previous vehicles.
Although he had never driven a Ferrari before, Charlie always dreamed of owning one, planning to treat himself to a custom model for his 30th birthday.
At first, Charlie aimed for a classic Maranello model, particularly the 348. However, he soon realized that many ’80s Ferraris often come with age-related problems, which could hinder his enjoyment. Consequently, he redirected his interest towards the F360, an early 2000s model that offers a combination of both classic and modern features.
While on vacation overseas, Charlie discovered a remarkable find— a low-mileage F430 F1 Berlinetta in a striking Nero Daytona black, adorned with custom white leather interiors. That moment marked the beginning of his first significant project car, leading him to make the purchase.
Days later, Charlie’s wife, Charlotte, received the F430 at Car Audio & Security in London. They devised a plan—Charlie wouldn’t see the car until it was fully customized in time for his 30th birthday.
The initial plan included just air suspension and wheels; however, it quickly expanded after Charlie’s meeting with Jimmy Pearman from Liberty Walk EU, who showcased the extensive possibilities of LB-Works enhancements.
Over the course of eight months, the Ferrari experienced a remarkable makeover with Liberty Walk’s LB-Works F430 Ver.2 complete body kit. This upgrade included overfenders, front, side, and rear diffusers, as well as a ducktail spoiler. The finishing touches involved installing Morimoto LED taillights and a full paint correction by Colourkraft in Northamptonshire, complemented by striking Petronas Green accents.
Initially equipped with Rotiform wheels, Charlie later upgraded to a set of custom 6AD Forged 2.55 wheels fitted with Yokohama Advan semi-slick tires. Prazi air struts managed by Air Lift Performance 3H management were installed to achieve the desired stance.
A stunning custom Deutsch Tech exhaust system allows the F430’s 4.3L Ferrari F136 E V8 engine to resonate beautifully. Additionally, when Charlie isn’t pushing the pedal to the metal, he can enjoy a complete JL Audio sound system.
For a touch of whimsy, the frunk lid features a custom comic by Jonny Fyvie, designed in the style of The Simpsons, alluding to fictitious ‘cease and desist’ letters from Ferrari and the ‘demolition’ of a collectible car.
Charlie was able to take delivery of his transformed Ferrari, showcasing its Liberty Walk modifications, only on his “Three Zero” birthday, marking the realization of his long-cherished dream.
Earlier this year, after meeting Charlie and Charlotte at Risenation in Belgium, I was impressed to learn that they frequently drive their Ferrari to events across Europe. Their enthusiasm for the car is truly contagious.
During our photo shoot, Charlie shared his intentions to create a ‘winter spec’ version of the car, suggesting plans for winter driving in icy conditions next year. Therefore, keep an eye out; we might see more of this wide-body Ferrari in the near future.
Collin Tiemens
Instagram: collinclicksphotos
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