Introduced at the Nürburgring in 1996, the Pininfarina-designed Ferrari 550 Maranello not only replaced the Testarossa-based F512 M, but it also heralded a long-awaited return to the glorious days of the front-engine V-12 GT-car layout, one not offered by Ferrari since the 365 GTB/4 Daytona during the early 1970s. Based on the longer Ferrari 456, whose engine it shared, the 550 Maranello was a two-seater yet offered spacious and luxurious accommodations with plenty of luggage capacity, in the best Ferrari GT tradition. Capable of approaching 200 MPH at the top end, a 550 Maranello set a new production-car speed record when new at Marysville, Ohio, where it covered a 100-kilometer distance (62 miles) at an average speed of 188.88 MPH. The 575 M Maranello arrived in 2002 and upped the ante with an enlarged engine, even greater performance than its predecessor and Ferrari’s first application of the F1-paddle-shift automatic transmission with a V-12 engine. While the prior 550 Barchetta provided the thrilling open-air experience of a pure roadster, Ferrari buyers demanded greater sophistication. Ferrari replied with the 575 M Superamerica, offering the best of both worlds with its “Revocromico” rotating hardtop constructed from a carbon-fiber frame integrated with glass capable of variable opacity at the turn of a dial, the first roof of its kind ever fitted to a production car. At the touch of a button, the Superamerica transformed into a convertible, with the roof rotating back to rest flush with the car’s recessed boot lid in just 10 seconds and leaving the rear window in place as a wind deflector. One of 559 produced in total and one of 206 built for the U.S. market, this 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica is the last example built for the U.S. It was specially ordered new by the Bachman’s, and Phil worked directly in collaboration with the factory and Carrozzeria Zanasi, the factory-authorized body shop, to configure its stunning custom paint treatment. It’s unforgettably finished in Giallo Modena with a Blu Tour de France racing stripe, and the interior is trimmed in Blu and Giallo to match. The window sticker indicates this car was ordered with $48,275 in special features. Carrying S/N 146164 and with the odometer reading 626 miles at the time of writing, this 575M Superamerica’s 5.75L/540 HP DOHC V-12 engine is numbered 101867. Ferrari’s renowned F1 6-speed automatic transmission delivers the power and performance. Certified by Ferrari Classiche and accompanied by its corresponding Red Book, this 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica is graced by the signature of Piero Ferrari and the Ferrari assembly line staff, who brought it to reality. Schedoni luggage completes the presentation. This bespoke 575M Superamerica was invited to return to Maranello in 2007 to participate in Ferrari’s 60th anniversary celebrations, with the car shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Ferrari 60, organized by Ferrari and held at the Fiorano test track on June 24, 2007. In 2011, the car received Platinum and Best of Show awards at the 2011 Celebration Exotic Car Festival. Offered with books, manuals and tools, this special-order 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica epitomizes the shared passion of elite Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts on all counts.
