Ferrari 550 Maranello, 1998
Ferrari 550
Ferrari 550•
•16 مشاهدة
Chassis No.: ZFFZR49A7W0111347
Auction: Monterey 2017
Auction date: August 19, 2017
Lot No.: S101
$110,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Black
- Interior: Beige
- Front-mounted 5.5L V-8 engine
- Manual 6-speed transmission
- Metal gated shift plate
- Nero Black with Classic Beige leather interior
- 13,000 actual miles
- Books, tools, two keys and two remotes
- Original stereo
- Clean CarFax
Since the 1960s there has been a widely held belief that Ferrari’s road cars should celebrate the racing pedigree established by such mid-engined racing classics as the 250 LM, 330 P4 and the mighty 512. Ferrari has not always agreed, most notably demonstrating that difference with the beautifully balanced front-engined 365 GTB/4 Daytona. And after a succession of Berlinetta Boxers and Testarossas, Ferrari did it again with the 550 Maranello, named for Ferrari’s hometown and its 5.5L V-12 engine.
Like the Daytona, the 550 Maranello confounded acolytes of the mid-engine layout, proving even more capable than the 512 Testarossa it replaced by lapping Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit a full 3.2-seconds quicker than the TR.
While lacking the drama of the Testarossa, the 550 Maranello’s Pininfarina-styled coachwork was nonetheless beautifully designed to meet Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo’s brief “to create an understatement…consistent with today’s tastes and requirements.” Pininfarina was delighted with the opportunity to design the new car, pointing out that “the progress of technology allowed us to reach the same level of performance of a mid-engine design with better comfort and luggage room.” The 550 is extremely well packaged, its sophisticated DOHC 4-valve 5.5L/485 HP V-12 balanced by a rear-mounted 6-speed manual transaxle actuated by the splendid gated shifter that for decades was a signature element of a Ferrari’s personality.
Even then, however, technological advances were coming at an ever-quickening pace, and the 550 complemented its traditional all-independent double-wishbone suspension with 3-mode ASR traction control and ABS. The 550’s cabin overflows with traditional Ferrari design and materials, as seen in the gorgeous saddle leather lining the interior of this striking black 1998 example. With standard appointments that include air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD stereo, power windows, mirrors and seats, and showing just 13,312 miles, this is a fine example of what Ferrari World Champion driver Phil Hill described as “the best Ferrari road car I’ve driven.”
https://www.mecum.com/lots/303126/1998-ferrari-550-maranello/
