Replacing the now ageing 512M, the 550 Maranello was a breath of fresh air for Ferrari. The first range-topping Ferrari GT to be fitted with a front-mounted V12 in more than 20 years, it harks back to the glory days of the 365 GTB4 and 275 GTB4.
Built with a lightweight aluminium alloy body and with an incredible 5.5-litre V12, it offered a startling turn of pace alongside the ability to drop back into comfortable, long-legged grand touring when required. Little wonder it remains a popular choice for enthusiasts.
This example has been in its current owner’s care for a little over eight years, during which time it has actually seen very little use, covering fewer than 2,000Km. Presented in a very attractive colour combination, this beautiful V12 GT is ready and waiting to take its new owners on some memorable journeys.
The History and Paperwork
Initially purchased from a Ferrari main dealer in Germany, April 1997
Serviced by Eberlein Automobiles while in Germany
Acquired by the vendor in March 2014 from a dealer in the French Riviera
Serviced in recent years by Cavallari and DPM Motors in Monaco
The service history shows entries at 11,394Km, 27,527Km, 33,704Km and 43,953Km
44,163Km indicated, with just 1,773Km covered in the last eight and a half years
Complete with the owner’s handbook, service record and a number of maintenance invoices
Finished in tan leather, with black secondary leather to the dash top and door caps, the cabin of the 550 Maranello is an elegantly designed and airy place to be. With excellent visibility (for a supercar) and true practicality, the car offering both a reasonably sized boot and a large luggage shelf behind the seats, complete with straps for your cases.
Looking at the leather, it appears to all be in good order, although in need of a clean. There are some scuffs and marks to the door cards, some light creases to the seats, and the outer edge of the driver’s seat is showing some more significant wear. However, it all looks to be eminently usable.
Dark blue carpets and floor mats complement the exterior colour scheme nicely. They all look to be in fine fettle, with no staining, threading or damage apparent. As far as we can see, the headlining is nice and secure too, with no signs of damage.
The layout of the controls is minimal and restrained by modern standards. Switchgear is all placed within easy reach of the driver and the general ergonomics of the cabin are excellent. Some of the buttons and dials on the centre console are suffering from the usual Ferrari ‘sticky button’ wear, but the rest of the trim shows well, with no other notable issues we could discern.
We love the colour combination of this car, the dark blue paintwork suits the car’s lines perfectly, highlighting its fine proportions and subtle curves.
The paint itself is generally in good condition and appears to be original. There are some marks and blemishes, with some minor stone chips to the front and micro-scratches around the handles and bootlid. But overall, it looks as if it will polish up very nicely.
All of the body panels look straight and true, with crisp lines. There’s certainly no damage or corrosion evident. Meanwhile, looking under the vehicle, we see the sills and floor panels look in good shape – undamaged and with no notable corrosion we could identify.
The car is wearing its original 18-inch ‘Star’ five-spoke alloy wheels, which look to be in pretty good order. There are a couple of minor marks and some kerbing to a couple of the wheels, but nothing that would overly concern us. All the wheels are shod in the correct Michelin tyres.
The Mechanics
5,474cc naturally aspirated, quad-cam V12
Dry sump lubrication
Factory stainless steel exhaust system
Six-speed manual transmission
Sport mode, power steering, ABS
When it comes to any Ferrari, it’s all about the engine. And what an engine this is. A 5.5-litre, 48 valve work of art that delivers 485hp at 7,000rpm to the rear wheels. The result is a breath-taking 0-100Km/h charge of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 320Km/h.
The engine itself is actually front mid-mounted, resulting in excellent weight distribution and handling characteristics. Add to that the iconic ‘H gate’ manual transmission, allowing you to savour the click-clack of every perfect gearshift, and you have a truly heady mixture.
The engine bay itself looks very tidy, and we saw no evidence of leaks or any other issues. The vendor hasn’t reported any mechanical issues.
With that orchestral V12 singing out before you and the sumptuous comfort of the 550’s well-appointed cabin, this car offers one of the great driving experiences. Whether you’re exploring the boundaries of the car’s agility or simply cruising to your villa in the Italian Lakes, this would be a magnificent companion.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased. Car & Classic may refer a shipping company that also deals with import/export paperwork. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello
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