Vehicle Description
Chassis No. ZFFZS49A510123302
Twenty-three years after the discontinuation of the revered Ferrari
365 GTB/4 "Daytona" in the mid 1970s, tifosi rejoiced at the return
of the front-mounted V12 and rear-mounted manual transaxle format
in a new Ferrari flagship. The 550 Maranello, named for the
5.5-liter displacement of its V12 and the city from which it
hailed, was more than a surprising return to tradition; it was also
a drastic improvement over its mid-engine predecessor. With a more
comfortable seating position, ample luggage space, and better
visibility, not only was the 550 more practical than the F512 M it
replaced, but it was also faster and better handling thanks to
adjustable dampers and speed-sensitive power steering. The 550's
centerpiece, a 485 horsepower, 48-valve V12, set benchmarks for
modern supercars, including a production-car speed record set by
Car and Driver of a 190.132 mph average speed over a 100 mile
distance.
The signature detail of any proper Ferrari GT car was present in
the form of a metal "gate" that guided the shift lever into its six
forward gears. While Ferrari had already introduced the F1-style
paddle-shifted transmission in the F355, the 550 Maranello
continued to offer the glorious "click-clack" sound of the gate
colliding with the gearstick when performing a perfectly timed
shift. Its successor, the 575M, would also be available with a
manual transmission but was most often specified without, making
the manual-only 550 truly the last of its breed. Representing the
best of the classic Ferrari layout - a sublime front-engine V12,
rear-wheel drive, coupled with ideal GT usability - the 550
Maranello offers an analog driving experience unavailable in any
modern Ferrari produced since.
This spectacular example of a Ferrari 550 Maranello is a
U.S.-market car built during the final year of production. Finished
in the always desirable livery of Rosso Corsa over Beige and Nero
leather, the original window sticker lists a bevy of desirable
options that complete its beautiful specification. These include
modular five-spoke wheels housing red brake calipers, Daytona-style
seats with contrasting red piping, and diamond-stitched "style
250GT" leather headliner and rear shelf. The generously optioned
Ferrari was sold to its first and only private owner via The
Collection in Coral Gables, Florida showing 66 delivery miles at
the time. The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report shows that
the 550 was serviced by the delivery dealer on three occasions in
the early 2000s, showing 964 miles by January 2003. Over the
following two decades, the Ferrari would only travel some 311
additional miles by September 2023. At that time, given the
Ferrari's tremendously low original mileage, it was entrusted to
Ferrari of Newport Beach, California for a comprehensive engine-out
service which involved replacing the timing belt, a full fluid
change, and a four-wheel alignment at a cost of over $34,000.
With 1,278 original miles on the odometer at the time of
cataloging, this 550 Maranello epitomizes the term "time-capsule
example." Its gleaming Rosso Corsa paintwork presents much as it
did in the showroom over two decades ago, complemented by its
modular alloy wheels in similarly pristine condition. Inside, the
Connolly hides remarkably still emit the unmistakable scent of
"new-car smell," and the interior buttons and switches do not
suffer from the all-too-common "sticky buttons" issue on Ferraris
of the late 1990s and early 2000s. As one would expect with a car
of such low mileage, all of the factory accessories are present,
and in some cases, are still wrapped in plastic. These include its
window sticker, books in their leather folio, tool kit, tire
inflator, and car cover.
A representative example of Maranello's celebrated gated manual,
front-engine V12 grand touring formula, this 2001 Ferrari 550
Maranello must certainly be one the best-preserved examples of the
model in existence.
