Ferrari 550 Maranello

Details

The Ferrari 550 Maranello (Type F133) is a front-engined V12 2-seat grand tourer built by Ferrari from 1996 to 2001. The 550 Maranello marked Ferrari’s return to a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout for its 2-seater 12-cylinder model, 23 years after the 365 GTB/4 Daytona had been replaced by the mid-engined Berlinetta Boxer.

Since 1973, when the traditional front-engined 365 GTB/4 Daytona had been replaced by the mid-engined Berlinetta Boxer, Ferrari’s top-of-the-line 12-cylinder 2-seater model had used a mid-mounted 180° 12-cylinder flat engine. The Berlinetta Boxer had later been developed into the Testarossa, whose last evolution was the 1994 F512 M. Under the presidency of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who took office in 1991, the F512 M replacement was developed as a traditional front-engined V12 grand tourer.

After 30 months of development, the Ferrari 550 Maranello was unveiled in July 1996 at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany. The model’s name referred to the 5.5-litres total engine displacement and to the town of Maranello, home to the Ferrari headquarters and factory. Pininfarina executed both the exterior and interior design. Frame and main engine components were shared with the 2+2 Ferrari 456, although at 2,500 mm (98.4 in), the 550’s wheelbase was 100 mm (3.9 in) shorter.

In total, only 3,083 units of the 550 Maranello were produced.  They have steadily been increasing in value in recent years and are expected to continue given the fact that it was the last Ferrari that was delivered with a manual transmission as the only option.

This Maranello comes to us from its enthusiastic owner who has had it in his possession for over 3 years.  He had imported the car from Japan at that time and performed ongoing maintenance over the years, including a recent major service.

In late 2018, the fuel tank was removed and completely resealed using OEM or better parts.  The fuel pump caps which are prone to cracking were also replaced with high quality billet reproductions which will never fail.  At that time, the oxygen sensors were also replaced to correct an air/fuel ratio mix issue.

This example has a Fiammenghi Engineering hand crafted exhaust installed by its previous owner.  This exhaust is a work of art on its own, and includes headers designed in the same fashion as used on the 599 GTO, which implements a 6 into 1 equal length header.  Following the headers are 200 cell catalytic converters, Double-H pipe centre resonator delete, and HGTC style electronically controlled valved mufflers.  The result of this setup is an F1 sound that puts modern cars to shame, while still retaining a comfortable ride with the valves closed.

The wheels are 19″ Fikse Profil5 that have been painted to match the factory original colours and the suspension has been lowered using the factory coil overs.

All factory parts are available and the car can be returned to factory stock condition if desired.