5,748cc DOHC V12 Engine
Electronic Fuel Injection
515bhp at 7,250rpm
6-Speed F1 Transaxle
4-Wheel Carbon Ceramic Disc Brakes
4-Wheel Independent Suspension

*One owner from new
*Rare open top variant
*Fewer than 4,000 original miles
*Meticulously serviced only by official Ferrari agents

THE 575M SUPERAMERICA

With the introduction of the 550 Maranello in 1996, Ferrari returned to its tradition of building front-engined V12 sports cars, resurrecting a line that had remained dormant since the demise of the 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' in 1974. Car magazine was understandably enthusiastic: "The Maranello needs no excuses: it is right-minded, a return to traditional values, albeit values and standards that tower high above those set by the Daytona when it shuffled off to extinction a quarter of a century ago."

The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and the 550 Maranello's 48-valve, 5.5-liter V12 developed 485bhp at 7,000rpm, some 100-or-so horsepower more than the Daytona's. Ferrari had discovered long ago that providing optimum balance in a front-engined sports car necessitated the use of a rear transaxle, and the Maranello's came with six speeds. The power train was housed in a tubular steel chassis, to which was attached aluminum 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.

Styled by Pininfarina like its illustrious 'Daytona' predecessor, the 550 Maranello was similarly proportioned, adopting the classical combination of long bonnet, small cabin and truncated tail. The body's aerodynamics were developed in the wind tunnel where hours of testing ensured that the minimum of drag was combined with constant downforce regardless of set up, an important consideration in a 200mph road car. Styling details such as the bonnet air scoop and hot air outlets behind the front wheelarches recalled the great competizione Ferraris of the past, in particular the immortal 250 GTO, while the tail incorporated Ferrari's characteristic twin circular lights. Featuring a luxuriously appointed leather interior, this new generation Gran Turismo recalled and honored its iconic forebears with aplomb.

In 2004, Ferrari released a limited run of 559 examples of a striking and innovative convertible, the Superamerica. Drawing its name from the iconic Pininfarina designed Lampredi V12-powered GT cars of the 1950s and '60s, the 199mph 575M Superamerica retained the coupé's mechanicals together with its general design while featuring a unique pivoting photo-chromic roof. The work of Pininfarina's chief stylist Leonardo Fioravanti, creator of the legendary 365 GTB/4 'Daytona', it was the first roof of its kind ever fitted to a production car, and was built using a carbon fiber frame integrated with electro-chromatic glass. The transparency of the glass could be adjusted from within the cabin to transmit varying amounts of light, letting in approximately the same amount of light as a conventional glass sunroof at its lightest setting and only 1% of the sun's rays at its darkest. With the press of a button, the Superamerica can be transformed into a convertible, with the roof rotating back to rest flush with the boot lid in just 10 seconds.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

One of just 559 built this fine example has covered less than 4,000 miles from new. Finished in iconic Rosso Scuderia over Cuoio leather Daytona style seats accented in black. Desirable options include the Rosso Scuderia brake calipers, Interior carbon trim, Daytona seats, red instruments, space saver wheels, and Scuderia Ferrari shields. The 515 hp V12 is sent through Ferrari's innovative F1 paddle shift gearbox developed from their dominant Formula 1 racing cars.

Delivered new by Penske Motorcars in New Jersey the Superamerica was purchased by its previous owner trough Berlinetta Motorcars in Long Island. used only sparingly by its Hampton's based owner it was then sold to the current owner by Berlinetta Motorcars in 2013. At this time a belt change was performed and Ferrari of Long Island gave the car a standard service. In the years following the car has ben enjoyed sparingly and kept in heated storage.

Beautifully kept and well maintained this Superamerica looks showroom fresh and in the condition one would expect for such a low mileage example. These rare cars have become increasingly desirable in recent years and this is consistent with the consistent interest in the rare open versions of Ferraris GT models. Enjoy open top motoring in a true V12 front-engine Ferrari Grand Turismo.