1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello Coupé

Registration no. S231 OGT Chassis no. ZFFZR49C000113801

Footnotes

"The Maranello needs no excuses: it is right-minded, a return to traditional values, albeit values and standards that tower high above those set by the Daytona when it shuffled off to extinction a quarter of a century ago." – Car magazine.

With the introduction of the 550 Maranello in 1997, Ferrari returned to its tradition of building front-engined V12 sports cars, resurrecting a line that had remained dormant since the demise of the 365GTB/4 'Daytona' in 1974. The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and the 550 Maranello's 48-valve, 5.5-litre V12 developed 485bhp at 7,000rpm, some 100-or-so horsepower more than the Daytona's. Ferrari had discovered long ago that providing optimum balance in a front-engined sports car necessitated the use of a rear transaxle, and the Maranello's came with six speeds. The power train was housed in a tubular steel chassis, to which was attached aluminium coachwork, while the all-independent suspension incorporated dual-mode (normal/sports) damping, switch-selectable by the driver, which was complemented by speed-sensitive power-assisted steering.

Styled by Pininfarina like its illustrious 'Daytona' predecessor, the 550 Maranello was similarly proportioned, adopting the classical combination of long bonnet, small cabin and truncated tail. The body's aerodynamics were developed in the wind tunnel, where hours of testing ensured that the minimum of drag was combined with constant downforce regardless of set up, an important consideration in a 200mph road car. Styling details such as the bonnet air scoop and hot air outlets behind the front wheelarches recalled the great competizione Ferraris of the past, in particular the immortal 250GTO, while the tail incorporated Ferrari's characteristic twin circular lights.

In 2004, evo magazine published a 'Greatest Driver's Cars' feature that pitted the Ferrari 550 Maranello against the Porsche 911 GT3, Honda NSX-R, and Pagani Zonda C12S. The Ferrari won.

This Ferrari 550 Maranello was originally supplied through HR Owen in November 1998 in the rare colour combination of Rosso Fiorano with Crema and Bordeaux hide interior. It came with the following options:

19" modular split-rim alloy wheels
Red brake callipers
Chrome side mesh grilles
Chrome gear gaiter and gear Lever
Leather headlining
Electric seats
Diamond-quilted rear parcel shelf
Bordeaux carpets
Dual-tone interior to top dash, door inserts, centre console and steering wheel
Seat Piping in Bordeaux

The car comes complete with its official Ferrari tool kit and its original leather-bound wallet containing the owner's manual and service book. It has an extensive history file, which includes invoices and old MoTs, and has covered only some 100 miles since a complete major service, including a change of cam belts, by a leading Ferrari specialist. In addition, a complete re-spray was carried out in 2018 (due to stone chips) and all interior leather re-Connollised.

Currently displaying a total of 55,520 miles on the odometer, this highly desirable modern Ferrari Gran Turismo is offered with MoT to October 2020, a V5C registration document, and its original Certificate of Conformity.