En toen hadden we er ineens 2. Van de in totaal 448 geproduceerde exemplaren staan uitgerekend bij Prins op hetzelfde moment niet één, maar 2 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina’s! En we waren al helemaal door het dolle heen met ‘alleen’ de Grigio Titanio uitgevoerde versie. De open 12-cilinder Ferrari op basis van de 550 Maranello is een absolute zeldzaamheid. Nu we over een duo beschikken, is het dubbel zo zeldzaam. Deze Rosso Corsa Barchetta betreft nummer 260. Een nummer dat symbool staat voor 23 jaar mooi zijn en nog steeds in een conditie verkeren die niet van nieuw te onderscheiden is. De kilometerstand van 3.100 spreekt boekdelen. Om het verhaal nog wat mooier te maken: slechts 2 eigenaren gingen u voor en recentelijk is er officieel groot Ferrari onderhoud (inclusief riemen) uitgevoerd aan de 485 pk sterke atmosferische V12. De gereedschapsset, originele onderhoudsboeken en documenten zijn eveneens inbegrepen. Aan wie de eer om dit museumstuk uit Maranello thuis te stallen? Of beter nog: op straat uit te proberen?
Read moreFerrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
The open 12-cylinder Ferrari based on the 550 Maranello is an absolute gem. And now we suddenly have two of them… Only 448 were built, but at Prins we offer 2 extremely rare Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarinas at the very same time! This Rosso Corsa version is number 260. A number that symbolizes 23 years of beauty and a condition that is still indistinguishable from new. The ultra-low mileage of 3,100 km speaks volumes. To make the story even better: only 2 owners got their hands on the Ferrari before, which recently had major maintenance by an official Ferrari Dealer, including belts. The tool set and original service documents are also included. To whom the honor to display the natural aspired V12 powered Barchetta at home? Or even better: drive it on the streets?
History
The Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is an Italian masterpiece that celebrated the 70th birthday of the famous designer, whose name was added to the model designation of the extremely limited Prancing Horse. Another reason to come up with such an extraordinary ‘birthday gift’ is the fact that Ferrari had been working closely with Pininfarina for exactly half a century. The name ‘Barchetta’ also has a unique history with the mythical brand from Maranello: it was the Fiat boss who gave the Ferrari 166 MM (Mille Miglia) this nickname, after he saw similarities with a small Italian boat: the Barchetta. The low, speedster-like windscreen has been one of the original features of every Ferrari ‘Barchetta’ ever since. Including this gorgeous 550. Your predecessor, a fanatical car collector, treated the classic as a genuine museum piece. After 23 years, the car has only driven 3,000 kilometers with 2 different owners. Who’s going to add some to that?
Exterior
The Rosso Corsa lacquer of our 550 Barchetta Pininfarina shines as if the paint has only just dried: like new! The Rosso brake calipers behind the unique designed Barchetta wheels fully match with the bright red exterior color, while the characteristic Nero leather roll bars reveal something of the interior. According to Ferrari tradition, the front screens feature the Scuderia shields and only half of the window pillar is colored red; an artistic design trick that allowed Pininfarina to make its creation even lower visually. And of course there’s no sign of a roof. Driving in closed conditions isn’t even a real option, unless you can control your right foot up to a speed of 113 km/h… Good luck with that. Protecting the interior against external influences is only possible with some kind of tent cloth. Talking about luxury problems…
Interior
The finishing of the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina interior is as modest as it is original in terms of color. It’s all about exclusive and distinctive material use inside the Ferrari cockpit: from a Nero leather top of the dashboard to an Alcantara finish around the instruments, a steering wheel + gear shift made from carbon, and Charcoal leather Racing Seats. The door panels and bottom of the dashboard also have the dark gray leather finish. Ferrari used the color Grigio Fumo for the floor (carpets). All together it’s a truly fine combination! Pay special attention to details such as the carbon side sills and plastic protective film that has lasted all this time from the factory. We already said it: like new! More carbon fiber can be found in the instrument panel, between the analogue gauges; racy and classy at the same time, just like the 3 additional meters next to it. In the (also carbon-made!) center console there’s a plate signed by Sergio Pininfarina himself with the production number on it. Furthermore, the Formula 1 badge on the passenger side reminds you that in the year when the Barchetta was introduced, the driver’s world title went to Maranello… For the 1st time in 21 years!
Technique & performance
Anyone who knows how to move the carbon gear shift as smoothly as quickly through the beautifully milled aluminum gear pattern could easily reach 100 km/h within 4.4 seconds. The clicking of the manual 6-speed gearbox is almost as pleasing to the ears as the engine sound. Almost… Furthermore, the 5.5 liter Ferrari V12, non-turbo, is identical to the power unit in the closed 550 Maranello. In the Barchetta Pininfarina the 485 hp is enough to reach the magical 300 km/h. However, the sound of the screaming 12-cylinder is guaranteed to be heard better and more intense in the version without a roof. Just the way enthusiasts like it… Let’s be honest: you’re one of them, right?
Kind regards,
team Prins.
