1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello

• The 550 Maranello's combination of its stylish Pininfarina lines and front-mounted 12-cylinder engine meant that this car had the potential to become an instant classic, following in the footsteps of its forebear, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona
• With modern styling cues, a 5.5-litre V12 engine producing around 485bhp and a reported top speed of 199mph, the 550 Maranello was a serious motor car
• A less frenetic power delivery, the six-speed manual box and excellent weight distribution were all factors in the 550 becoming the perfect European Grand Tourer
• On offer from a private collection with all cars professionally stored and regularly maintained
• UK-supplied and finished in Grigio Titanio Metallic paint with a Bordeaux Red hide interior
• With its full book pack, major service (belts, water-pumps etc.) in 2017 with no mileage since
• Just 49,685 miles indicated. Offering fantastic value at our guide price for a proper V12 with that special manual gearbox

You can now book a one-to-one appointment (up to one hour) to view this lot at our central location of Stoneleigh Park (CV8 2LG) Monday to Friday, from Thursday 29th October until Thursday 12th November (inclusive). Please contact Joe Watts on 07779 082707 / joe@silverstoneauctions.com to secure your appointment or to discuss the car in more detail. The health & safety of both our customers and team remain the utmost priority, we are therefore operating to strict COVID-19 guidelines and full instructions for arrival and inspection protocols will be given when making your appointment.

Firmly placed in Ferrari's history as one of their finest modern era big GTs, the 550 Maranello's combination of elegant lines and legendary front mounted 12-cylinder engine, meant that these cars had the potential to become instant classics.

Following in the footsteps and sharing the DNA of the 365 GTB/4 'Daytona', the 550 Maranello is inevitability compared to its forbear. However, few front-engined Ferraris have quite justified that comparison quite like the 550 Maranello. Styled by Pininfarina, like its illustrious predecessor, the 550 Maranello was similarly proportioned, adopting the classical combination of long bonnet, small cabin, and truncated tail. Classic Ferrari styling cues include a bonnet air scoop and hot air outlets behind the front wheel-arches recalling the great 'Competizione' Ferraris of the past, whilst the rear incorporates Ferrari's characteristic twin circular lights.

The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and the 550 Maranello's 48-valve, 5.5-litre V12 developed 485bhp at 7,000rpm. 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. The six-speed manual gearbox complements a slightly more even torque curve ensuring that the power delivery was a little less frenetic, whilst excellent weight distribution and delightful road manners make the 550 Maranello a truly refined driving machine, whilst still capable of almost 200 mph.

With styling that is ageing particularly well, a high-quality cabin, generous storage, and an enormous 100-litre-plus fuel tank, the 550 Maranello really is the consummate 'European Grand Tourer' in the true Ferrari mould. In 2004, EVO magazine published a 'Greatest Driver's Cars' feature that set the 550 Maranello against the Porsche 911 GT3, Honda NSX-R and Pagani Zonda C12S. The Ferrari won. EVO stated