Longtime collaborators in the automobile industry, Ferrari and Pininfarina have produced some of the most beautiful examples of art and technology in motion. To celebrate Ferrari's 70th anniversary in 2000, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo asked Sergio Pininfarina to create a front-engined roadster in the style of historic cars from Maranello. He recommended reverting to the classic barchetta design, using the 550 Maranello coupé as a starting point.

That's why Ferrari debuted a roadster version of the 550 Maranello at the Paris Motor Show in 2000. As its name implies, Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is an open-top sports car. The manufacturer included a cloth soft top, but it was only intended to keep rain out of the cabin and was never designed to operate at speeds faster than 70 mph. Ferrari produced only 448 individually numbered vehicles, with the last one rolling off the assembly line in December 2001. In 2002, the 550 series was replaced by the 575 series.

It was the 550 Barchetta's roofless design that contributed to the car's famous moniker. Taking cues from Ferrari racecars, the "Barchetta" (Italian for "little boat") boasted fairings that rose from the back to reach rollover bars.

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The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina Followed In The Footsteps Of Other Ferrari Greats

Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
Via: Ferrari

Actually, the goal was to build a front-engined open-top 12-cylinder that evoked the classic muscle cars, including the 166 MM, 250 GT California, and the 365 GTS4. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was born as a one-of-a-kind take on Ferrari's cleanest and most extreme sports vehicles. True to form, it provided a bold contrast to the rest of the line.

Alloy wheels with split rims, an alarm system, central locking, and remote control, as well as power windows and mirrors, were standard features. Each of the 448 vehicles made received a unique serial number, and Sergio Pininfarina's autograph appears on a plaque inside each vehicle. The result is a work of art that will never go out of style, but only the most dedicated Ferrari fans can own one.

Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina exemplified the ideal reimagining of the traditional, open-top, front-engined V12 Ferrari sports vehicle for the new century, down to the smallest detail. The windshield was slashed in the classic barchetta fashion, and the bottom part of the surround matched the rest of the body. Ferrari insignia on the wheelarches, two-piece alloy wheels, and an aluminum fuel cap were just a few of the unique details that set the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina apart.

The inside matched the car's aristocratic sports personality with leather and carbon fiber racing-style seats that could have four-point racing harnesses on request. The L-shaped cockpit hugged the driver in a comfortable posture, and the dashboard's appealing wraparound line continued over to the center tunnel. At the rear, the roll bars were lined with impact-absorbing material and finished in aesthetically pleasing leather to increase structural stiffness and protect the vehicle's passengers in the event of an accident. In addition, a high-strength steel tube was integrated into the windshield surround in the event of a rollover.

The car's mechanical foundations stayed unchanged from its coupé sibling. In the meantime, the F133C designation for the engine serves primarily as a means of identification. Similar to the 550 Maranello, the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was driven by a 5474 cc 65° V12. Power output was 485 horsepower at 7000 rpm with a peak torque of 128 lb at 5000 rpm. The Barchetta's acceleration was also phenomenal, reaching 60 mph from a stop in under 4.2 seconds. Ferrari's innovative system included a third plenum in the intake manifold, which altered the fluid dynamics. Meanwhile, 12 electro-pneumatic throttle valves are operated by the engine's CPU to facilitate air intake. This mechanism guaranteed good torque distribution over the whole rpm range.

To achieve a more even distribution of mass, the limited-slip differential and the 6-speed gearbox with reverse were placed in the rear. The engine was permanently attached to the gearbox through a steel tube and housed the three-bearing driveshaft that transmitted clutch-generated torque to the transmission. The vehicle included an anti-lock braking system (ABS), and the suspension featured a changeable logic and driver-adjustable damping system.

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Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina Deserves To Be Called A Timeless Classic

Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
Via: Ferrari

We can't deny that the 550 Barchetta was a vehicle that defined a generation. After almost a quarter of a century, Ferrari finally released a two-seater V12 with a front-mounted engine. Also, it raced well and is the progenitor of modern Ferrari 12-cylinder Berlinettas. Undoubtedly, one of the Ferraris for which a significant economic revaluation is anticipated in the near future.

Among contemporary Ferrari fans, it has already achieved cult status, and its legendary reputation only increases its desirability. An undisputed classic, it seems to be a bargain compared to the other low-production 2-seater V12 Ferraris. RM Sotheby's planned to auction off a 2001 example at their Scottsdale sale in January 2018. As of the time of the listing, it was estimated to sell for between $475,000 and $525,000, having just 9,500 miles on the odometer.

Do you know how much the most expensive Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was ever sold for? The highest price ever paid for a car at auction was $695,000 on July 16th, 2022. On the other hand, a 2001 model sold for $276,000 on February 19, 2021, making it the vehicle with the lowest recorded selling price. Now, a typical 550 Barchetta will set you back about $429,400.