Concept cars and one-off specials[]
Rossa
Main article: Ferrari Rossa
The 550-based Ferrari Rossa was a concept car introduced at the 2000 Turin Motor Show to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Pininfarina. The 2-door speedster shares the mechanical components from the 550 Maranello but its top speed is reduced to 185 mph (298 km/h) due to increased weight. The futuristic design cues found their way to future Ferrari production cars such as the Enzo Ferrari and the F430. It was designed by Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina.
550 GTZ Barchetta
On October 28, 2009, Zagato and Ferrari revealed that they have been working on a roadster version of the 575 GTZ coupé to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the long collaboration between the two Italian establishments. The resulting product called the 550 GTZ Barchetta was limited to only three units and based on the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, including one RHD example. Unlike the original version, Zagato developed an electronically-operated roof. All were sold at a price of £1 million (€1.1 million/ US$1.6 million) each. In December 2019, the RHD car sold at a Bonhams auction for £ 575,000 including premium with 2,700 miles.
| VIN number | Assembly number | Driver side | Exterior color | Interior color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZFFZR52C00124138 | 41717 | RHD | Dark grey metallic | Cream |
| ? | ? | LHD | Silver (Argento Nurburgring) | Red and black |
| ? | ? | LHD | Silver (Grigio Titanio) | Red and black |
550 Barchetta
2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta
Ferrari introduced a convertible version of the 550 at the Paris Motor Show in 2000. This Barchetta was a true roadster with no real convertible top provided. The factory did provide a soft top, but it was intended only for temporary use as it was cautioned against using the top above 70 mph (110 km/h). A total of 448 Barchettas were produced, four more than initially planned due to concerns of superstition in the Japanese market. The 448 cars were preceded by 10 prototypes numbered P01-P10 on their interior plaques. To an observer the prototypes and production cars are indistinguishable.
550 Barchetta[]
Ferrari introduced a convertible version of the 550 at the Paris Motor Show in 2000. This Barchetta was a true roadster with no real convertible top provided for the car. However, The factory did provide a soft top, but it was intended only for temporary use as it was cautioned against using the top above 70 mph. A total of 448 Barchettas were produced, four more than initially planned due to concerns of superstition in the Japanese market. The 448 cars were preceded by 10 prototypes numbered P01-P10 on their interior plaques. To an observer the prototypes and production cars are indistinguishable.
Specifications
Engine
Ferrari 550 Maranello V12 engine
The 550 Maranello is a front-engined car. The engine is a naturally aspirated V12 with 4 valves per cylinder, and dual overhead cams. It displaces 5474 cc (334 in³) and produces 361.7 kW (485 hp) at 7000 rpm and 568.1 N·m (419 ft·lbf) at 5000 rpm.
Chassis
The 550 Maranello has a tubular steel frame chassis with an light aluminum bodywork welded to it and 6-speed manual transmission. The steering is rack and pinion with variable power assist. The vented disc brakes are 330 mm (13.0 in) for the front and 310 mm (12.2 in) for the rear.
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Final Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratio | 3.15:1 | 2.18:1 | 1.57:1 | 1.19:1 | 0.94:1 | 0.76:1 | 3.91:1 |
Performance
The 550 Maranello can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds and can reach 161 kilometres per hour (100 mph) in 10.5 seconds. The ¼ mile (0.4 km) time is 13.1 seconds and the top speed is 320.3 kilometers per hour (199.0 mph).
The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina Followed In The Footsteps Of Other Ferrari Greats
Via: Ferrari
Actually, the goal was to build a front-engined open-top 12-cylinder that evoked the classic muscle cars, including the 166 MM, 250 GT California, and the 365 GTS4. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was born as a one-of-a-kind take on Ferrari’s cleanest and most extreme sports vehicles. True to form, it provided a bold contrast to the rest of the line.
Alloy wheels with split rims, an alarm system, central locking, and remote control, as well as power windows and mirrors, were standard features. Each of the 448 vehicles made received a unique serial number, and Sergio Pininfarina’s autograph appears on a plaque inside each vehicle. The result is a work of art that will never go out of style, but only the most dedicated Ferrari fans can own one.
Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina exemplified the ideal reimagining of the traditional, open-top, front-engined V12 Ferrari sports vehicle for the new century, down to the smallest detail. The windshield was slashed in the classic barchetta fashion, and the bottom part of the surround matched the rest of the body. Ferrari insignia on the wheelarches, two-piece alloy wheels, and an aluminum fuel cap were just a few of the unique details that set the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina apart.
The inside matched the car’s aristocratic sports personality with leather and carbon fiber racing-style seats that could have four-point racing harnesses on request. The L-shaped cockpit hugged the driver in a comfortable posture, and the dashboard’s appealing wraparound line continued over to the center tunnel. At the rear, the roll bars were lined with impact-absorbing material and finished in aesthetically pleasing leather to increase structural stiffness and protect the vehicle’s passengers in the event of an accident. In addition, a high-strength steel tube was integrated into the windshield surround in the event of a rollover.
The car’s mechanical foundations stayed unchanged from its coupé sibling. In the meantime, the F133C designation for the engine serves primarily as a means of identification. Similar to the 550 Maranello, the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was driven by a 5474 cc 65° V12. Power output was 485 horsepower at 7000 rpm with a peak torque of 128 lb at 5000 rpm. The Barchetta’s acceleration was also phenomenal, reaching 60 mph from a stop in under 4.2 seconds. Ferrari’s innovative system included a third plenum in the intake manifold, which altered the fluid dynamics. Meanwhile, 12 electro-pneumatic throttle valves are operated by the engine’s CPU to facilitate air intake. This mechanism guaranteed good torque distribution over the whole rpm range.
To achieve a more even distribution of mass, the limited-slip differential and the 6-speed gearbox with reverse were placed in the rear. The engine was permanently attached to the gearbox through a steel tube and housed the three-bearing driveshaft that transmitted clutch-generated torque to the transmission. The vehicle included an anti-lock braking system (ABS), and the suspension featured a changeable logic and driver-adjustable damping system.
550 Maranello World Speed Record (WSR)[]
In October 1998, Ferrari sent a lightly modified 550 to a 12 kilometers oval test track to the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio and set three new world records as follows:
- A distance of 100 miles covered at an average speed of 190.2 mph (306 km/h).
- A distance of 100 kilometers at an average speed of 188.9 mph (304 km/h).
- Driving for one hour at an average speed of 184 mph (296 km/h).
To celebrate these records, Ferrari built 33 road cars to the exact specification of the record-setting car. They differed from the standard 550M by being fitted with the Fiorano handling pack, leather-trimmed roll cage, suede-covered steering wheel and carbon bucket seats with Daytona stitching and race harnesses. A ‘WSR’ plaque was on the center console and carbon fiber detailing was found on the gear knob and footrests. Aside from the actual record setting car, all cars were finished to European specifications. Besides the WSR plaque, all of the extra hardware could be ordered on a regular 550, including the handling package and the roll cage.
A preproduction Lamborghini Murciélago broke these records in 2002 at the Nardò Ring in Italy.
Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
Revealed at the 2000 Paris Motor Show (as a 2001 model year car), Ferrari’s new 550 Barchetta following the 550 which continued Ferrari’s long line of exclusive front engine V-12s. The Barchetta was built to celebrate Pininfarina’s 70th anniversary.
Special features included a more sporting interior featuring leather-wrapped carbon fiber racing seats, carbon fiber trim, an individually numbered plaque carrying Sergio Pininfarina’s signature as well as spoke wheels and a manually operated fabric top for emergency use.
550 Barchettas were powered by the same alloy, 48-valve, four-cam engine as fitted to the Berlinetta that could take the open car to a top speed of 185 mph. When introduced, the limited production was immediately sold to an elite group of Ferrari’s most loyal customers.
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| body stylist | Pininfarina |
| production | 448 |
| engine | V12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| displacement | 5474 cc / 334.0 in³ |
| bore | 88 mm / 3.46 in |
| stroke | 75 mm / 2.95 in |
| compression | 10.8:1 |
| power | 361.7 kw / 485.0 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 88.6 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 286.98 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 568.09 nm / 419.0 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm |
| redline | 7700 |
| body / frame | Steel Body |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 255/40ZR-18 |
| rear tires | 295/35ZR-18 |
| front brakes | Cross-Drilled Discs w/ABS |
| rear brakes | Cross-Drilled Discs w/ABS |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18.0 x 8.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 25.9 cm / 18.0 x 10.2 in |
| curb weight | 1690 kg / 3726 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2500 mm / 98.4 in |
| front track | 1632 mm / 64.3 in |
| rear track | 1586 mm / 62.4 in |
| length | 4550 mm / 179.1 in |
| width | 1935 mm / 76.2 in |
| height | 1258 mm / 49.5 in |
| transmission | 6-Speed Manual Transaxle |
| gear ratios | 3.15:1, 2.18:1, 1.57:1, 1.19:1, 0.94:1, 0.76:1 |
| final drive | 3.91:1 |
| top speed | ~300 kph / 186.4 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~4.6 seconds |
See full 2000 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina Gallery here
Auction Sales History
2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Prototype ZFFZR52A210123074 – did not sell for $500,000. It is a rare opportunity to own an ex-works’ car that was built exclusively for display and celebration. Ferrari Barchetta Pininfarina s/n 123074, is just such a car, having the honor of representing the special union between Ferrari and Pininfarina at the IAA / Frankfurt Motor Show in 2001. It has been cared for by Ferrari experts in California and has led a very charmed life. All regular service has been maintained and the car is in superb condition. Auction Source: ‘Rolling Sculpture’ 2015 NYC by Keno Brothers
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| body stylist | Pininfarina |
| production | 448 |
| engine | V12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| block material | Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| displacement | 5474 cc / 334.0 in³ |
| bore | 88 mm / 3.46 in |
| stroke | 75 mm / 2.95 in |
| compression | 10.8:1 |
| power | 361.7 kw / 485.0 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 88.6 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 286.98 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 568.09 nm / 419.0 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm |
| redline | 7700 |
| body / frame | Steel Body |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 255/40ZR-18 |
| rear tires | 295/35ZR-18 |
| front brakes | Cross-Drilled Discs w/ABS |
| rear brakes | Cross-Drilled Discs w/ABS |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18.0 x 8.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 25.9 cm / 18.0 x 10.2 in |
| curb weight | 1690 kg / 3726 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2500 mm / 98.4 in |
| front track | 1632 mm / 64.3 in |
| rear track | 1586 mm / 62.4 in |
| length | 4550 mm / 179.1 in |
| width | 1935 mm / 76.2 in |
| height | 1258 mm / 49.5 in |
| transmission | 6-Speed Manual Transaxle |
| gear ratios | 3.15:1, 2.18:1, 1.57:1, 1.19:1, 0.94:1, 0.76:1 |
| final drive | 3.91:1 |
| top speed | ~300 kph / 186.4 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~4.6 seconds |
Фотогалерея Ferrari 550 Barchetta
Ferrari в Санкт-Петербурге
- Автосалоны Ferrari в Санкт-Петербурге
- Автозапчасти Ferrari в Санкт-Петербурге
- Автосервисы Ferrari в Санкт-Петербурге
- Авторазборки Ferrari в Санкт-Петербурге
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Motorsport
Although not intended for motorsport, some privateer teams took it upon themselves to develop the 550 for use in various series. The first racing 550 was built for Red Racing to comply with FIA sporting regulations. Italtecnica aided in the development of the project. The car was termed a 550 GT and was first tested in April 1999. It was used in the FFSA GT Championship in France from the end of 1999 until the end of 2000. The car was then sold to XL Racing in 2001 who continued to develop the car. The 550 GT made one of its final appearances at the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2000, Italtecnica would create another 550 race car meeting the more powerful GT regulations in the FIA GT Championship, but the car was short lived.
A pair of BMS Scuderia Italia 550-GTS Maranellos at the 2005 1000km of Spa.
In 2001, Prodrive built racing customer versions of the 550 for various sports car series and especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, although this brought the Ferrari name into the sport, the cars would be built entirely by Prodrive without any support from the Ferrari factory. Named the 550-GTS, a total of ten cars would be built over the next four years and campaigned by the Prodrive team as well as privateer customers.
The factory Prodrive team would win two FIA GT Championship races in the cars debut in late 2001. The BMS Scuderia Italia team would take over in FIA GT, recording four wins, while the Prodrive squad would take a single win the American Le Mans Series. 2003 would be the best year for the cars, as Prodrive won the GTS class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, took second in the GTS class championship in the American Le Mans Series with four wins, and Scuderia Italia won the FIA GT championship with eight wins.
BMS Scuderia Italia would again take the FIA GT Championship with five wins in 2004, while Larbre Compétition would take the GT1 class championship in the new Le Mans Series. BMS Scuderia Italia would then move to the Le Mans Series as well and take that championship for 2005. At the same time, Prodrive would move to their next project, the Aston Martin DBR9. All 550-GTSs would be maintained by Care Racing, and a few continue to be used today. Convers MenX used a 550-GTS in the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, while Hitotsuyama Racing runs one in the full Japan Le Mans Challenge season.
Following the success of the 550-GTS, Ferrari would adapt the 575M for racing and offer it as a customer car for privateers. Some road legal Ferrari 550s would also be modified by small teams for racing, although these differed from the Prodrive-built 550-GTSs.
History[]
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, the final evolution of which was the 1994 . 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 in decalitres and to the town of Maranello, home to the Ferrari headquarters and factory. Pininfarina executed both the exterior and interior design. The exterior design is credited to Elvio D’Aprile under the supervision of Lorenzo Ramaciotti, and created between 1993 and 1996. Maurizio Corbi, a Pininfarina sketch artist and designer, was also involved in the design process. The interior design was penned by Goran Popović. Frame and main engine components were shared with the 2+2 Ferrari 456, although at , the 550’s wheelbase was shorter.
In 2002 the 550 was replaced by the 575M Maranello, which was an all-around improved version (modificata in Ferrari parlance) of the car, rather than an all-new construction. The 575M was fitted with a larger 5.75-litre version of the F133 engine. In total 3,083 units of the 550 Maranello were produced between 1996 and 2001.
Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina Deserves To Be Called A Timeless Classic
Via: Ferrari
We can’t deny that the 550 Barchetta was a vehicle that defined a generation. After almost a quarter of a century, Ferrari finally released a two-seater V12 with a front-mounted engine. Also, it raced well and is the progenitor of modern Ferrari 12-cylinder Berlinettas. Undoubtedly, one of the Ferraris for which a significant economic revaluation is anticipated in the near future.
Among contemporary Ferrari fans, it has already achieved cult status, and its legendary reputation only increases its desirability. An undisputed classic, it seems to be a bargain compared to the other low-production 2-seater V12 Ferraris. RM Sotheby’s planned to auction off a 2001 example at their Scottsdale sale in January 2018. As of the time of the listing, it was estimated to sell for between $475,000 and $525,000, having just 9,500 miles on the odometer.
Specifications[]
Body and chassis
The 550 used a front-engine, rear-wheel drive transaxle layout, with the 6-speed gearbox located at the rear axle together with the limited slip differential. The chassis was a tubular steel space frame, to which the aluminium body panels were soldered. The Pininfarina-designed body had a drag coefficient of 0.33. Suspension was of the double wishbone type with coaxial coil spring and damper units on all four corners, and anti-roll bars front and rear. The steering was rack and pinion with variable power assist. The vented disc brakes were at the front and at the rear. Magnesium alloy was used for the 18-inch wheels. Electronic driver aid systems included anti-slip regulation, which could be adjusted on two levels or switched off completely, and four-way anti-lock braking system.
| Gear | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Final drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratio | 3.15:1 | 2.18:1 | 1.57:1 | 1.19:1 | 0.94:1 | 0.76:1 | 3.91:1 |
Engine
The F133 A engine is a naturally aspirated 65° V12 with four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and a variable length intake manifold. It displaces 5,474 cc (334.0 cu in) and produces 485 PS (357 kW; 478 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 568.1 N·m (419 lb·ft) at 5,000 rpm. Bore and stroke measure 88 mm and 75 mm. The Barchetta’s engine is very similar and has the same output but carries the F133 C engine code.
Performance
According to Ferrari, the 550 Maranello has a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), and can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds. Testing the 550 Maranello in 2000, American car magazine Motor Trend recorded a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration time of 4.2 seconds, a 0 to 100 mph (0 to 161 km/h) time of 9.6 seconds, and a ¼ mile (0.4 km) time of 12.5 seconds at 116.9 mph.
Motorsport[]
Team XL Racing’s Ferrari 550 GT at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Although not intended for motorsport, some privateer teams took it upon themselves to develop the 550 for use in various series. The first racing 550, known as 550 GT, was built for French team Red Racing to comply with international sporting regulations. The project was developed by Michel Enjolras and assembled in the Italtecnica workshop. The car was first tested in April 1999 and was used in the GT3 class of the French FFSA GT Championship. In 2001 the car was then sold to XL Racing who continued the development and built a second car, known as 550 XL entering the FFSA GT and the American Le Mans Series. The older 550 GT also made an appearance at the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans in the ACO GT class but failed to finish due to technical problems.
Team Rafanelli’s 550 Millennio at the 2002 Grand Prix of Mosport
In 2000, with financial support from some investors led by Stéphane Ratel, Italtecnica created another 550 race car meeting the more powerful GT regulations in the FIA GT Championship, the car being named 550 Millennio. The first car debuted in the 2000 FIA GT Championship, entered by First Racing. The 2001 Championship saw two cars fielded by Team Rafanelli. The 550 Millennio was also developed to meet ACO LM-GTS regulations allowing Rafanelli to enter a single car in the 2002 American Le Mans Series season.
In November 2000, German entrepreneur and engineer Franz Wieth launched another racing version of the 550, developed by Baumgartner Sportwagen Technik, and named 550 GTS. Two cars were built, with Wieth Racing entering one in the 2001 FIA GT Championship, then again in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 2006 the Wieth’s Ferrari scored two wins in the Euro GT Series.
A pair of BMS Scuderia Italia 550-GTS’ at the 2005 1000km of Spa
Commissioned by Frédéric Dor’s company Care Racing Development, in 2001 Prodrive built a racing version of the 550 for various sports car series and especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initially known as 550 GTO and then renamed 550 GTS (but not related to Wieth’s project), a total of ten cars would be built over the next four years and campaigned by the Prodrive team as well as privateer customers. The cars were entirely built by Prodrive without any support from the Ferrari factory.
The factory Prodrive team would win two races in the 2001 FIA GT Championship debut. For 2002 the BMS Scuderia Italia team would take over in FIA GT, recording four wins, while the Prodrive squad would take a single win in the American Le Mans Series. 2003 would be the best year for the cars, as Prodrive won the GTS class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and took second in the GTS class championship in the American Le Mans Series with four wins, while BMS Scuderia Italia gained the FIA GT championship winning eight races.
The Italian team would again take the FIA GT Championship crown in 2004, while Larbre Compétition won the GT1 class championship in the new Le Mans Series. BMS Scuderia Italia moved then to the Le Mans Series as well taking that championship for 2005. In the meantime Prodrive switched to their next project, the Aston Martin DBR9, leaving the maintenance of the 550 GTS cars to Care Racing Development. Hitotsuyama Racing entered a car in the 2004 JGTC and 2005 Super GT seasons, then switched to the Japan Le Mans Challenge winning the GT1-class title in both 2006 and 2007 editions. In 2008 Argentinian Automóvil Club Argentina Team entered 2 Prodrive 550’s, one of them scoring and achieving the fifth place in the Potrero de los Funes round. The last race of the 550 GTS was the 2009 FIA GT Paul Ricard 2 Hours where a car entered by French team Solution F achieved the seventh place.
In late 2003, Australian Nations Cup Championship team Mark Coffey Racing purchased a 550 GT from Team Rafanelli to run in the 2004 Australian Nations Cup Championship. The appearance of the V12 Ferrari in Australia was eagerly awaited by fans of the category and the car was to be driven by popular young Danish driver Allan Simonsen who prior to the championship had raced the car alongside David Brabham to win the Bahrain GT Festival. In what was a limited campaign (the car only raced at 4 of the 7 rounds), Simonsen finished 7th in the championship against cars such as the championship winning Lamborghini Diablo GTR, Chrysler Viper ACR, Porsche 911 GT2 and the controversial 7.0 litre Holden Monaros. Simonsen broke the class lap record and scored a race win in the first round of the season at the Adelaide Street Circuit.
Following the success of the Prodrive’s 550 GTS, Ferrari would develop the 575 GTC racecar based on the 575M, offering it as a customer car for privateers.