Stunning colour combination; under 9,000 kilometres from new
2006 Ferrari 575 Superamerica

• Delivered new in Europe
• One of 559 built
• Extensive timing belt service in 2021
• New glass roof in 2021

In 2004, Ferrari released a limited run of 559 examples of a striking and innovative convertible version of the 575M: the Superamerica. The Ferrari 575M (Modificata) had represented an evolution of the acclaimed 550 Maranello rather than an entirely new model when it arrived in 2002. With the introduction of the 550 Maranello in 1997, Ferrari had returned to its tradition of building front-engined V12 sports cars, resurrecting a line that had remained dormant since the demise of the 365 GTB/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. For the 575M, engine displacement grew to 5,748cc and maximum power to 515bhp, while transmitting it to the ground was a new six-speed 'paddle shift' semi-automatic gearbox, a technology that Ferrari had developed in Formula 1.

Drawing its name from the iconic Pininfarina-designed Lampredi V12-powered GT cars of the 1950s and '60s, the 320km/h Superamerica retained the 575M's 5,748cc engine, six-speed 'paddle shift' manual gearbox, and running gear together with its general design while featuring a unique pivoting photo-chromic roof. The work of Pininfarina's chief stylist Leonardo Fioravanti, creator of the legendary 365 GTB/4 'Daytona', it was the first roof of its kind ever fitted to a production car and was built using a carbon fibre frame integrated with electrochromic glass. The transparency of the glass could be adjusted from within the cabin to transmit varying amounts of light, letting in approximately the same amount of light as a conventional glass sunroof at its lightest setting and only 1% of the sun's rays at its darkest. With the press of a button, the Superamerica can be transformed into a convertible, with the roof rotating back to rest flush with the boot lid in just 10 seconds. A special GTC handling package and a manual gearbox (43 built) were optional for the Superamerica.

A letter on file from Tony Willis of the Maranello Concessionaires Archive confirms that this car was manufactured in January 2006 for the Finnish market and delivered to the first owner on 3rd September of that year. Still in Europe, it changed hands to a French collector and was later sold to Japan where our vendor acquired it.

In 2021 this Superamerica received a extensive timing belt service and replacement of the glass roof ($72,000 value, with corresponding struts in the lift mechanism) due to a crack in the original. Finished in Nero Daytona (black) with Rosso (red) leather interior, the car comes with invoices for various services; owner's manual; instruction book; and a Dubai ownership certificate (local taxes paid). There is no service book, but the annual inspection from 2014 records the odometer reading at that time as 7,976 kilometres.

A highly original example, this 575 Superamerica presents a unique opportunity to secure a well-maintained, limited-edition Ferrari boasting a fresh glass roof, no 'sticky' buttons, and with under 9,000 kilometres on the odometer.

The Superamerica has become one of the most highly coveted Ferraris of recent times thanks to its rarity, uniquely innovative design, and the exhilarating driving experience that can only be had behind the wheel of one of these modern Ferrari V12 roadsters. An opportunity not to be missed.