We have Luca Cordero di Montezemolo to thank for the existence of the Ferrari 550 Maranello, arguably among the most beautiful and best-driving modern-era Prancing Horses of them all. You see, in 1996, after 23 years of mid-engined twelve-cylinder flagship Ferraris, he quite rightly pointed out that a front-engined Gran Turismo – built in the same vein as the marque’s greatest 1960s berlinettas such as the 250 and the ‘Daytona’ – would prove more practical for customers looking to actually use their cars. And he was absolutely right.

Pininfarina’s Lorenzo Ramaciotti was employed to style the new car. Ferrari encouraged the history-steeped design studio to channel its greatest models of yesteryear. The prominent 250 GT SWB-like bonnet scoop, 275 GTB-inspired gills aft of the front wheels and 365 GTB/4-esque rear end were certainly not implemented by accident. Needless to say, the leather-festooned cabin was similarly sumptuous and well-equipped.

As exquisite as the Ferrari 550 Maranello is to look at, it is – amazingly – even better to drive. The taught, dynamic and genuinely exploitable handling defies the size and weight of the car. The open-gate gearbox is every bit as good to operate as you’d imagine. And the 480bhp 5.5-litre V12 is nothing short of a masterpiece, delivering unctuous, unwavering power and torque right through the rev range. Naturally, it sings a very sweet song, too.

This right-hand-drive 550 Maranello was bought by its sole owner on 30 April 1997 from the Official Ferrari Dealer Glenvarigill Company in Edinburgh, Scotland. The car was finished in the classic colour combination of Rosso Corsa over a Beige leather interior with contrasting Bordeaux carpets.

In the near-three decades since, this Ferrari has covered a mere 10,300 miles and been routinely serviced by a mix of Official Ferrari Dealers and respected specialists across the United Kingdom – most recently at Dick Lovett in May of this year. Its condition is commensurate with this infrequent use and diligent mileage.

Overall, it’s excellent, the Rosso Corsa paint retaining its bold allure, while the Beige Connolly leather is bright, unblemished and looks barely worn. Remarkably, swathes of the floor carpets are still wrapped in their original factory plastic film. There is only a handful of small cosmetic slights. These include the smattering of tiny stone chips to the leading edge of the bonnet, the tiny scuff on the rear-right alloy and the sticky plastic around the most intricate of switchgear. From a driving perspective, the car exhibits all the credentials of the 550 Maranello about which automotive journalists waxed lyrical back in the day.

Satisfyingly, this 550 Maranello retains its original factory spare key and leather documents pouch containing the user manuals and warranty booklet. And in the boot, you’ll find the original factory car cover, leather boxed tool kit and tyre-inflator set. In addition, there is a generous history file chronicling this Ferrari’s life, including a wonderful exchange of correspondence between the supplying dealer and the owner as he went about ordering the car back in 1997. It goes without saying that this 550 Maranello has more strings on its desirability bow than most others – and certainly any other example we’ve encountered. We’re confident it will not hang around for long. 

SOLD