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Car Summary
- Previous owner was a friend of the present keeper
- Current owner has known the car since new
- Full Ferrari Dealer history with the same garage
- Less than 21,000 miles on the clock
- Astonishing condition
- Even still has factory plastic on the carpets
- The number plate B8WSC is not for sale with the car, the original registration number is S92 RVX
- Incorrect engine size of 3496cc displayed on the V5. Actual engine size is 5474cc. (Seller has a copy of the letter wrote to DVLA on 16th July 2004 explaining that the Registration certificate was showing an incorrect cc but they never replied)
Vehicle History
Overall condition: Excellent
Number of owners: 2
History: Complete dealer history
MOT: 12th December 2023
The Ferrari Tipo F133, or 550 Maranello, was the spiritual successor to the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, bearing a passing resemblance visually and under the skin, being the first front engine grand tourer since the Daytona 23 years previously.
At its heart is the 5.5 litre 65° V12 that lends its capacity to the cars model name. It has four valves er cylinder, dual overhead cams and variable length intake manifold to maximise power and torque across the rev range. It produces 478bhp and 568Nm, and will push the car to a staggering 199mph and, mind blowing for the 1990s, 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. The 550 was replaced in 2002 by the 575, after a total of just 3,083 had been built.
This 550 was supplied new by Lancaster Ferrari in Colchester on August 1st 1998, and it has returned there for servicing annually ever since, regardless of mileage and most recently in December 2022 when the cam belt was also changed.
The car had belonged by a good friend of the owner, so he had known it from new when he bought it in 2002. It has only been used lightly and has just 20,700 miles on the clock and the condition reflects this.
Exterior
- Original paint in superb condition
- Pristine bodywork
- Unmarked paint
- Excellent Michelin tyres on excellent alloys
Finished in immaculate Grigio Titanio – titanium grey – paint, the dark metallic silver shows off the 550’s sweeping lines perfectly. There are virtually no flaws in the finish with barely a stone chip to mention and a deep gloss across the entire car. The bodywork is likewise virtually flawless and we did not spot anything to comment on.
The car has its factory staggered width 18” alloys, which are in excellent condition and wearing Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres – 255/40 at the front and 295/35 at the rear – which look recent and have deep tread all round.
The lamp lenses, badges and other bright work all looks fresh, bright and clear, and overall the car looks almost as new.
Watch a video of the 1998 Ferrari 550
Mechanics
- Serviced annually by selling dealer
- V12 engine
- Legendary gated manual gearbox
- Rear transaxle
- Low miles for year
This really is a driver’s car with its smooth and powerful normally aspirated V12, it’s fabulous gated manual gearbox and rear transaxle giving excellent balance.
The engine fires instantly and idles smoothly, on the road it pulls effortlessly and without hesitation, and the gear shift is tight and positive in use.
The service history is exemplary, having returned to Lancaster Ferrari for service annually since new, including timing belts, regardless of the mileage driven each year, most recently in December when it was serviced and the cam belt changed.
Looking around the engine bay we could see no signs of fluid leaks from any area.
Interior
- Stunning red leather interior
- Almost no signs of wear
- Red leather headlining
- Carpets still have factory plastic wrap on them
- Fitted floor mats
The red leather interior is the best possible complement to the silver paint of the exterior, and as exotic as a car of this sort should be.
Again, with so few miles under its wheels, the cabin has not seen much use so is in incredible condition. The beautiful bucket seats have almost no signs of wear, just the lightest of patina on the driver’s bolster, and under the fitted floor mats the carpet still has the delivery plastic wrap on it.
The black leather dashboard is in excellent condition with no splitting or warping from the sun, the steering wheel looks like new and the controls all work as they should, and there is the factory original Ferrari branded stereo, which looks like an Alpine head unit.
The metal gearshift gate really stands out in the cabin and marks the car out as something special. It is in excellent condition, the metal ball of the gear knob does have a small mark on it though.
Overhead is a red leather headlining, in superb condition and behind the front seats is a carpeted luggage area with red leather tie down straps.
In the boot the carpet is in excellent shape, and there is a CD changer mounted high up. Under the floor we find the tan leather Ferrari stamped tool kit and the tyre inflation kit.
Why bid?
This must be one of the best 550s around. The 550 Maranello was not a common car, but to find one in this condition, history and mileage makes this example all the more special. Thanks in part to its timelessly elegant styling it looks and feels like a nearly new car rather than one closing in on a quarter of a century.
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Vehicle Specification
- 20,709
- Manual
- RHD
- 5,474cc
- Titanium Grey
- Red Leather
- ZFFZR49C000112493
Seller Overview
Location
- Suffolk, IP17
Seller Type
- Private
Notice to bidders
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