Since 1973, when Ferrari’s top-of-the-line 12-cylinder 2-seater model began using a mid-mounted 180deg 12-cylinder flat engine in favor of the front-engined 365 GTB/4 Daytona, which had been superseded by the mid-engined Berlinetta Boxer. Under the presidency of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who assumed office in 1991, the 1994 F512 M successor was created as a conventional front-engined V12 grand tourer. The Berlinetta Boxer had later been developed into the Testarossa, whose last evolution had been the F512 M.
The Ferrari 550 Maranello was launched in July 1996 at the German racing track Nurburgring after 30 months of development. The name of the car was a reference to both the town of Maranello, where Ferrari’s headquarters and manufacturing are located, and the 5.5-litre total engine displacement in decalitres. The interior and external designs were both completed by Pininfarina. Between 1993 and 1996, Elvio D’Aprile worked under the direction of Lorenzo Ramaciotti to construct the external design. Involved in the design process was Maurizio Corbi, a sketch artist and designer for Pininfarina. Goran Popovic created the interior decor. Although the 550’s wheelbase was 100 mm (3.9 in) shorter than the 2+2 Ferrari 456, the frame and primary engine components were shared.
The 550 was superseded by the 575M Maranello in 2002, which was not a completely new design but rather an all-around upgraded version of the vehicle (referred to as a “modificata” in Ferrari lingo). A larger 5.75-liter version of the F133 engine was installed in the 575M. 3,083 of the 550 Maranello’s were made in total.
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550 Ferrari History
Ferrari 550 was introduced in 1996 to replace the mid-engined 512TR. A six-speed manual transmission and a 5.5-liter V12 engine were standard.
2000 saw the release of the limited-edition 550 Barchetta. To honor Pininfarina’s 70th anniversary, the Turin Motor Show included a Ferrari Rossa concept car based on the 550.
2001: The final 550 Maranellos are produced, totaling 3083 coupes (457 RHD) and 448 barchettas.
Introduced in 2002, the Ferrari 575M is more of an improved 550 than a completely new model.
2009 (post-production): Five examples of the limited-edition Ferrari roadster GTZ were made available through a partnership with Zagato. On the Barchetta Roadster, these vehicles were based.
Basic information that you must know
Ferrari started producing the 550 to replace the 575 model. With many of the significant flaws that were found ironed out, it was the remedy for the ailment of its forerunner. The main problem was the handling. In 1996, the Maranello 550 debuted with a base price of about $183,000. Compared to the F512, it provided more room for the legs and easier access to the cabin. This supercar had a respectable amount of power, with test track data placing its top speed at 200 mph and its acceleration time from zero to 62 mph at under 4.4 seconds. It broke speed records for a production car in the later 1990s. The production of the 550 Maranello, which is collectible, lasted from 1996 until 2001. There were only 457 right-hand drive models produced, of which 457 open-top Barchetta Pininfarinas were produced in 2001. The 10 pre-production prototypes are included in this figure. 3,083 Ferrari 550 coupes in all were produced over its production period.
The Ferrari 550 Maranello: Why We Adore It
The 550 Maranello is a legendary Ferrari model with a fantastic engine, amazing power, and GT delicacy.
Many were initially a little apprehensive when it was originally displayed, maybe expecting something more artistically daring, but the car’s distinctive features rapidly won them over. Ferrari’s response to those who believed that a front-engined V12 car couldn’t compete with a mid-engined sports car in terms of performance was the 550 Maranello. Above all, it was a two-seater that was comfortable and functional, had enough for a lot of luggage, and was fun to drive.
The German Nurburgring racetrack hosted the public debut of the Ferrari 550 Maranello in July 1996. There to test the car on the course were former F1 team drivers Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine as well as other former Ferrari team members, including former Ferrari World Champions Niki Lauda and Jody Scheckter.
The new car’s front-mounted powertrain, similar to that of its 456 GT sister, allowed it to deliver incredible acceleration together with excellent driving characteristics. Each 550 Maranello was assigned a distinct chassis number ranging from 99928 to 126807 during its production between 1996 and 2001. It’s time to examine the car’s history in order to understand why we are so taken with it.
Model information
The 550 Maranello was Ferrari’s replacement for the mid-engined Testarossa, 512 TR, and 512 M series in 1996. In contrast to the 550’s mid-engined predecessor, the front-engine/rear transaxle layout provided a more comfortable and roomy interior. This combination was previously used on the renowned 365 GTB/4 Daytona 25 years earlier. The Ferrari 550’s 485 horsepower, 5.5-liter V-12 engine produced outstanding performance, as shown by its low 4-second 0-60 time and near to 200 mph top speed. The best part was that this performance appeared to be nearly effortless because to the power steering, the relaxed driving posture, and the substantial amount of torque the engine produced at lower rpm.
From 1996 through 2001, Ferrari produced 3,083 550 Maranellos, all of which had 6-speed manual transmissions. For individuals who preferred an open-air driving experience and even greater exclusivity than the coupe, the company also produced 448 examples of a 550 “Barchetta” convertible in 2000. A particularly enticing factory option was the multi-colored “Daytona” type seats, which were modeled after the early 365 GTB/4 models.
The Ferrari 575 M Maranello was unveiled in 2002. With a revamped interior and a revised front end, the vehicle further developed the magnificent 550 Maranello design. Most significantly, the 550’s engine was expanded to 5.75 liters, and output climbed to a substantial 515 horsepower. To enhance driving dynamics and shift times, the 575 also offered an optional F1-style transmission and adaptive suspension. Between 2002 and 2006, around 2,100 Ferrari 575M Maranellos were created, after which Ferrari’s 599 GTB Fiorano took up the GT torch.
As far as late-model exotic cars go, the Ferrari 550 and 575 have proven to be astonishingly trouble-free, with some of the only potential problem areas being minor electrical difficulties, early hose wear, and, for the 550, some partial engine mount failures that were later fixed in the 575. Timing belt replacements and other engine maintenance can be carried out while the engine is still in the vehicle, reducing some of Ferrari’s infamously high maintenance expenses. The vehicles also offer a wholly contemporary rendition of the vintage Ferrari GT.
What is the price of a Ferrari 550 Maranello?
At the RM Sotheby’s Shift/Monterey sale in August, a Ferrari 550 Maranello set a new record for the most expensive vehicle ever sold at an online-only collectible automobile auction with a final price of $4.3 million.
A 550 Maranello is what?
Ferrari produced the 550 Maranello (tipo F133), a front-engined, two-seat grand tourer, from 1996 to 2001. 23 years after the 365 GTB/4 Daytona was replaced by the mid-engined Bentley Boxer, Ferrari’s 2-seater 12-cylinder vehicle, the 550 Maranello, signified the company’s return to a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration.
In 2000, Ferrari unveiled the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, a roadster variant of the 550 with a production run of just 448 units. In 2002, the 550 was superseded by the improved 575M Maranello.
What is the value of a Ferrari 550?
Ferrari produced two primary versions of the 550, a front-engine V12 2-seat grand tourer, between 1996 and 2001. The Maranello 550, the
Ferrari produced two primary versions of the 550, a front-engine V12 2-seat grand tourer, between 1996 and 2001. 23 years after the 365 GTB/4 Daytona had been superseded by the mid-engined Berlinetta Boxer, Ferrari’s 2-seater 12-cylinder model made a comeback with the front-engine, rear-wheel drive 550 Maranello coupe. In 2000, Ferrari unveiled the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina (open top), a roadster variant of the 550 with a 448-unit manufacturing cap. In 2002, the updated Ferrari 575M Maranello took the place of the 550 series.
A: On August 15, 2020, a 2001 Ferrari 550 GT1 Prodrive sold for $4,290,000.
A: On September 1, 2018, a 1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello sold for $77,000, the lowest sale price ever.
The Ferrari 550—is it a vintage car?
Many people may be familiar with Prodrive’s race car because the 550 is one of Maranello’s finest grand tourers, but you might not be aware of XL Racing, who turned two 550s into their own track heroes.
The Ferrari 550 is unquestionably a modern classic and has unquestionably earned its place among Ferrari’s best front-engined supercars. The 550 Maranello gives an experience that no new Ferrari can match two decades later because to its 12 cylinders of Italian operatics coupled to an open-gate manual and some of its greatest styling. Like Prodrive, XL Racing was quick to see the 550’s greatness and believed it would be wrong not to have such a magnificent vehicle gracing the world’s racetracks. Ferrari initially resisted allowing private teams to build race cars, but eventually they gave up, and two identical XL Racing 550 Maranello GTEs were produced.
XL Racing dropped a surprising 400 kg by lightening the original aluminum bodywork and replacing the doors, trunk, and bonnet with carbon fiber panels to get the vehicles suitable for track use. The 5.5-liter V12 wasn’t spared either; it was tuned to produce 580 hp, 130 more than the cars’ original engines. It’s a good thing that the exquisite gated shifter made it to the finished product; it now has a gorgeous exposed linkage that really heightens the drama of this red racer. XL Racing entered two infants in the 2003 Le Mans race, however only chassis #108536 was successful in crossing the finish line. The next year, Ferrari’s reigning Formula One World Champion Micheal Schumacher drove this vehicle for a shakedown test on the nearby Merignac circuit in Bordeaux, leaving his name as proof on the white roof. It turned out that Alain Prost, who was also gracious enough to sign the berlinette, had previously graced the bodywork of #108536 in 2005 while the present owner was competing in GT2. One of the best-looking and best-sounding racers to wear the Prancing Horse is now going up for auction at Osenat’s Automobiles de Collection Auction on July 4.
Who was the buyer of Hammond’s Ferrari 550?
DriveTribe has positioned fellow motoring journalist Harry Metcalfe and Richard Hammond in front of the Italian sports car to share memories in an effort to encourage Hammond to purchase back his previous Ferrari 550 Maranello.
When they first meet at Harry’s expansive filming location for his own YouTube channel, Harry’s Garage, both Hammond and Harry are stunned by the elegance of the car and recall their earliest days with it. Hammond quickly clarified, though, that he had to sell it after pulling up to a garage and a mechanic noticing an oil drop under the vehicle. He describes his feelings as being “high intensity” for the car.
Harry went on to say that he purchased the vehicle as his daily commuter vehicle because it required a 70-mile roundtrip to and from the London headquarters of EVO Magazine. In a similar vein, Hammond describes how, at the age of 20, he once justified buying a Cavalier SRI by saying that it would improve his mood for his job as a radio host.
With 15,000 kilometers on the odometer, Harry paid PS60,000 for the automobile in 2004. He drove it more than 30,000 miles and kept it until 2007, when he traded it in for a Pagani Zonda. Hammond had been considering buying the car since he knew Harry had taken good care of it, but when he was away filming in the North Pole for Top Gear, his wife Mindy made the surprise purchase.
While driving to and from London for work, Hammond owned it for a few years along with five other vehicles. However, after moving into two different rental homes, he unexpectedly found himself owing his landlord the equivalent of six months’ worth of rent—the price of the Ferrari. He said, “I had no choice; it had to go.
The magnificent car was up for sale the day after this video was filmed, and despite Hammond’s best efforts, he ultimately decided against bidding on it. But did he?