Ferrari 550 Maranello Price Guide

The Ferrari 550 Maranello of 1996 to 2001 was the car that proved front-engined V12 Ferraris could be genuinely great drivers’ cars — not merely grand tourers, but machines that a skilled driver could exploit at the limit with complete involvement and control. The 485bhp 5.5-litre V12, rear-wheel drive, and a chassis by Amedeo Felisa that combined the 456’s refinement with sharper responses made the 550 the favourite modern Ferrari of a generation of driving journalists.

The Car

The 5,474cc V12 produced 485bhp at 7,000rpm. The six-speed gearbox was in unit with the rear differential for optimal weight distribution. The Pininfarina body created a two-seater coupe of pure proportion, and also avoided the 456’s formal restraint for something more immediately dramatic without descending to the 360’s exhibitionism. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina of 2000 (an open-top version produced to celebrate Pininfarina’s 70th anniversary, 448 built) is one of the most sought after modern Ferraris.

Buying

The 550 is the connoisseur’s modern Ferrari; fast, beautiful, and rewarding to drive without the electrical complexity of later cars. The Barchetta commands serious premiums. Service history and major service records are the priority documents.