Specifications

550 Maranello originally Dutch

-They’ve invented the snooze missile. Something that is both easy and hard to drive, sounds like every petrol fuelled dream and drives smooth and refined. – The Ferrari 550 Maranello.

In 1996, the Ferrari 550 Maranello was presented to the public for the first time. It was a car that held many things in high esteem but also stopped short of pretense. For example, the hamster rear seat of the 456 disappeared and made way for a luggage compartment. A true two-seater for long distances, with the temperament of an Italian who has just emerged from an espresso bar. The V12 of the 550 is actually a bit bipolar. Below, it’s a wonderful car to tour and drive comfortably. However, as soon as you engage the 5.5 V12, your golf bag in the back reaches one hundred in 4.4 seconds and it pulls through to the 320 km/h. FORE!

And then about that big chrome gear stick in the middle… In the end, that’s what we do it for. Every time you flick the magnificent gear stick along its aluminium guides, together with the typical ‘clack-clack’ sound when you change gear and hear the roar of the V12, you feel your chest hair grow. What a magnificent thoroughbred! Skip legday at the gym, the 550 will give you a nice calf workout. God, those guys in Maranello are so good at making you forget about rationality. Even among the test drivers it is well known and in 2000 and 2001 it became the Engine of the Year (4.0l +).

A total of 3,083 units were born. What about us? Of course we have one of those 3,000, but ours is a little extra tasty. Ours is Swatters Blu. Just as Pozzi in France received its own (also dark blue, but uni) colour, Jacques Swatters received its own dark blue metallic colour as the main importer for Belgium.  That, with dark red leather interior, dealer maintained and fully documented.

“The Ferrari is a dream. People dream of owning this special vehicle and for most, it will remain a dream apart from those lucky few.” – Enzo Ferrari.