LEGENDARY ITALIAN AUTOMAKER Ferrari is to launch a detailed book discussing its 82-year history – at a price that will exclude even some Ferrari owners from being able to afford it.

The book, ‘The Official Ferrari Opus‘, is being launched in a number of various editions – with the most deluxe version, a six-stone whopper encased in carbon fibre and studded with diamonds, priced at an equally hefty $275,000 (€195,000).

The 852-page book – conveniently weighing 82 pounds, to mark Ferrari’s 82 years of existence – will also come two more affordable editions, though with prices starting at $4,100 (€2,900) even a small slice of Ferrari history – signed by its current Formula 1 divers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa – won’t come cheap.

Adding to its allure, Ferrari says only one copy will be sold in any one country – though quite how this will work, given its print run of 400, is unclear.

Just 4,100 copies of the entry-level ‘Classic’ edition are being printed, while 500 copies of the Cavallino Rampante edition will be produced at a cost of $7,000 (€4,950) each.

A $37,500 (€26,500) edition, named the ‘Enzo’ edition after the eponymous Ferrari founder, will include a silver-foiled signature sheet “personally signed by all living Ferrari world champions on an individually numbered, silver-foiled signature sheet”, the New York Times’ Wheels blog quotes.

Anyone buying one of the 400 copies of the prime Diamante edition, meanwhile, will also be entered into a draw to win a life-size replica of the F2004 driven by Michael Schumacher when he won his record seventh world championship.

Those less inclined to shell out such cash for a copy of the book – understandable, given how a prospective Ferrari owner would have to shell out £169,545 (€194,225) for a new 458 Italia at current UK prices – have some other options, though.

An excerpt of the Opus features in today’s London Independent, while apps for the iPad and iPhone also contain free excerpts.