The summer of 2006 saw Michiel van den Brink and Robert Koumans start the Vandenbrink Design company, located in the Netherlands. One of their first proposed projects is to coachbuild a Ferrari 599GTB, the V12 replacement for the 575 M Maranello which was presented for its world première in Geneva last March.

Industrial designer Michiel van den Brink (28), according to their press release, is a specialist in automotive design, especially with a unique modern interpretation of the DNA of classic automotive icons such as from Ferrari. Meanwhile, Robert Koumans (44) is an entrepreneur with a background in automotive and aerospace engineering, marketing and new media. Together they form a solid basis for establishing Vandenbrink Design as a high-end automotive and industrial design house.

Their initial focus will be on the realisation of special sportscar designs which have already been very well received by potential customers, especially the Vandenbrink GTO which was conceived as the 'Ferrari 599 GTO Mugello' concept study.
 

The actual coachbuilding will be performed in cooperation with well-known Ferrari specialist and coachbuilder Hietbrink in the Netherlands. They have carried out numerous Ferrari restoration projects since being established in 1985.

According to their latest press release, "Vandenbrink Design will also offers its design talent and services to established and emerging car manufacturers and industrial product manufacturers. The Vandenbrink Design company kicks off ambitious but with realism. However, the international interest in the GTO by sportscar enthusiasts and collectors exceeding expectations gives us hope that the GTO may be actually built. This would result in a dream start for the newborn Dutch automotive company Vandenbrink Design," it concludes.