Established almost immediately after the close of wartime in Europe, Ferrari and its enduring legend were built upon racing success from inception. Intense demand, fueled by Ferrari’s winning reputation, brought about the company’s first dual- purpose road/race cars in 1949. Spurred by epic wins that year at the most important European races—including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and the Le Mans 24 Hours—Enzo Ferrari built his new factory in Maranello, Italy. Road-car production soon began, albeit in strictly limited numbers, mainly to finance Scuderia Ferrari’s racing commitments. By the late 1950s, road models were largely consolidated around the 250 GT, but Ferrari’s wealthiest and most demanding clients were offered the 400 Superamerica (400 SA) of 1959-1964 and 500 Superfast (500 SF) of 1964-66. For its part, the 500 Superfast debuted at the March 1964 Geneva Salon, marking the end of an era as the last of Ferrari’s elite, limited-edition closed models. While only as few as 36 were produced (some experts quote 37), the 500 SF captured the automotive world’s imagination in a manner unseen since the great prewar coachbuilt models from Bugatti, Duesenberg and Hispano-Suiza. The sleek bodywork of the 500 Superfast was directly influenced by Pininfarina’s prior 400 Superfast Aerodinamico coupes and glamorous Superfast II show car (Chassis No. 2207 SA), which was largely the work of Pininfarina’s longtime master designer Aldo Brovarone. Refinements applied to the rolling design laboratory provided by Chassis No. 2207 SA were previewed at the era’s top international motor shows, confirming Pininfarina’s design prowess and laying the foundation for the 500 Superfast. Powering the 500 Superfast was the ultimate development of Aurelio Lampredi’s “Long Block” V-12 engine, with lineage dating back to some of Ferrari’s most glorious racing cars of the early 1950s. Designated Tipo 208, the 500 SF engine displaced nearly 5.0L—4961cc, to be exact—and featured removable cylinder heads, a choice of 8.8:1 or 9:1 compression ratios, and triple 40mm Weber twin-choke carburetors; altogether, it was good for 400 HP at 6,500 RPM. Riding a tubular chassis with a 2.65-meter wheelbase, the 500 SF included independent front suspension and a live rear axle with leaf springs, dual-circuit servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes all around, and a 4-speed manual transmission with electrically operated overdrive for Series 1 models and a 5-speed for Series 2. As one of the most powerful road cars of its time, the aero-efficient 500 Superfast was capable of nearly 170 MPH while cosseting occupants in leather and fine details. Pininfarina’s renowned craftsmen produced the bodies for the 500 Superfast with exceptional care and, unlike prior high-level Ferrari/Pininfarina collaborations, with few deviations from the basic design of the 1964 Geneva Show car. Only a neat hood bulge was added for carburetor clearance, and detail differences were limited to door handles and tail lamps. Production included approximately 25 “first series” cars, followed by a dozen “second series” examples, which shared updates with the 330 GT including a 5-speed gearbox, “hanging” pedal arrangement and revised front-fender vents.
