Vehicle Overview
Designed by Lorenzo Ramciotti of Pininfarina S.p.A. - the highly-acclaimed, 5.5 litre, front-engined, V12 powered, Ferrari 550 Maranello was launched at the annual "Ferrari Racing Days", at the Nurburgring race circuit, in September 1996. In the ensuing five years, three thousand and eighty-three examples were delivered to global markets, with four hundred and fifty-seven in right-hand-drive, marking it as one of the most popular V12's, Ferrari S,p,A, has ever produced.
Inevitably the transaxle layout, mated to a 485bhp V12 (coded the F133), resulted in much of the motoring press drawing similarities with its elder sibling, the Daytona..... what was undeniable, was that with a claimed top-speed of one hundred and ninety-nine miles an hour, a tubular steel chassis and aluminium bodywork, it was a grand-tourer berlinetta in the finest tradition, helping it to win "Best sports/GT car of the '90's" from EVO magazine, and voted "International Engine of the Year" by UKIP Media.
In 2002, at Ferrari's request, Ramciotti updated the 550, re-naming it the 575M Maranello.....improvements were made mechanically, including bigger brakes, an enlargened and more powerful engine, optimised weight distribution, enhanced aerodynamics and revised, adaptive suspension. Much of this development work was carried out on Ferrari's own test-track, Fiorano, conducted by multiple F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher and long-time test driver and fellow F1 racer, Luca Badoer.
With a UK list price of £162,300, a 5.75 litre engine, an all new Magneti Marelli designed, six-speed electrohydraulic F1 (paddle-shift) gearbox and a "Fiorano" handling-pack - records for the 575M (modificata) suggest that total production between 2002 and 2006 (incl the 575 Superamerica) was two thousand and fifty-six cars; of which one thousand, eight hundred and ten had F1 gearboxes, two hundred and forty-six were equipped with manual gearboxes, and just two hundred and forty-eight, in both configurations, were delivered to the UK.
Delivered new to the UK market via Glenvarigill (now Graypaul) Edinburgh on February 6th 2004, #135155 was specified with the following extras
- Daytona seating
- "Fiorano" handling pack
- Yellow brake calipers
- Sat-nav
- Leather upholstered rear-shelf.
Ordered in Azzurro California(524),complemented by a crema(3997) interior and blu(3282) carpeting, #13155 has travelled just 23,536 miles from new, and has a full main-dealer service history via Graypaul (Nottingham) - the most recent in 5/13, since when the car has completed only two hundred and fifty miles.
Offered with a complete tool-kit, schedoni leather wallet and tailored, indoor - car, seating and steering wheel covers; this is an exceptional, low mileage example of the much applauded 575M, presented in a distinctive colour combination - offering a new owner, an inviting alternative to a modern GT, as an everyday car (without the same level of deprecation), or an enthusiast seeking supercar performance, for more than £100k less, than it's initial delivery price. SOLD |
