Ferrari built the 550 Maranello as a car not meant for motorsport. Nevertheless, some privateer teams built racing versions of the 550, gaining huge success in various events such as the FIA GT Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Spa. In a technical partnership with N-Technology, Ferrari eventually built two GTC racers, one of which will be up for auction on February 2 at the Paris 2022 event of RM Sotheby’s.
One Of Only Two Ferrari 550 GTC Racers
Ferrari built only two examples of the 550 GTC: chassis numbers 2102 and 2104. These two 550 GTCs — while still under Ferrari’s ownership — saw action with the works-favored French team, JMB Racing. Both cars competed with a 5.5-liter V12 engine. The 550 GTC 2102 (one on sale) was the first V12 model since the 512 M to use an even chassis number, which Ferrari reserved for its factory racers.
Ferrari commenced building the 550 GTCs in 2003, after the Prancing Horse had stopped producing the road-going 550 and replaced it with the 575. Interestingly, the carmaker intended the official 550 GTC program to serve as an operational prototype for the subsequent racer, the 2003 Ferrari 575 GTC.
Etched A Legend At 2003 24 Hours Of Spa
Wrapped in a Rosso Corsa exterior finish with Tessuto Racing Nero interior theme, the 550 GTC 2102 made its debut in the LG Super Racing Weekend at Donington Park in June 2003. It then raced at the 2003 edition of 24 Hours of Spa, and qualified in 10th place. The car was ahead of the pack in the first six hours of the race. But after 326 laps, the 550 GTC 2102 had to retire and settle for 27th place overall.
Ferrari sold the 550 GTC 2102 to Piero Nappi. The Italian privateer racer fielded the car in the 2005 Campionato Italiano Velocità Montagna (CIVM), and became the overall GTM class champion. Nappi replicated this feat in 2006 and 2014. Nappi continued to enter the 550 GTC 2102 in CIVM events until 2016, grabbing 30 class and group wins.
Sold To Third Owner In 2016
After an engine rebuild in 2016, the Ferrari found itself a third (and current) owner in 2017. The current owner returned the car to its 24 Hours of Spa livery and had its parts and components repaired or restored. The owner is selling this Ferrari – boasting a “Red Book” certification in March 2021— with an assortment of spare wheels and tires, and even spare panels.
Source: RM Sotheby’s