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Complete Description
- Attributed by Ferrari for Michael Schumacher's use
- Documented by an original letter from the pilot and by the factory
- One of the ten 550 Maranello cars presented to the press in 1996 at the Nürburgring
- 10,000 km from new
- Original booklets, invoices and complete tool kit
- No reserve
Ferrari presented the 512 M replacement at the "Ferrari Racing Days" on 19 and 21 June 1996 at the Nürburgring circuit. No fewer than 10 models were on show, including the sale car. Eddy Irvine and Michael Schumacher were there to test drive the cars in front of journalists who were amazed by the performance of this new model, equipped with a 5.5L V12 engine developing 485 bhp and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4s. The design is by Pininfarina, of course, and the architecture is the same as that of the Daytona of the 1970s. The Ferrari 550 Maranello was the successor to an entire range of twelve-cylinder, rear mid-engined saloon cars, which, from the 512 BB to the 512 M, represented the sporting top end of the marque's range.
This grand tourer has exceptional aerodynamics that slam the car down onto the road at high speed.
This 550 Maranello is exceptional in that it is on the list of cars used by Michael Schumacher at the time, as evidenced by the letter signed by the driver to the brand's famous Japanese importer, Cornes, on 10 February 2003, wishing the Japanese buyer as much pleasure behind the wheel as he himself had enjoyed over a long period of time! Ferrari Spa's sales department has also confirmed that the factory has awarded the 550 Maranello to the German driver. The seven-time World Champion also signed the car on the glovebox. It was one of the 10 cars presented at the Nürburgring and was driven by Massimiliano Papis, F1 driver turned Ferrari test driver. On 23rd of June 2003, Cornes & Co Ltd announced the sale of this exceptional Maranello. They received no fewer than 165 applications! It was sold to its previous owner in the Mie Prefecture, Japan. It remained in his hands for several years until it was acquired by the current owner, one of Japan's leading collectors. At the time of purchase, the beautiful 550 had covered just 4,700 km. It has seen very little use since then, and now has 10,000 km on the odometer! For the entirety of this time in the Empire of the Rising Sun, it was maintained by the official Ferrari Cornes agent. Its original colour combination is superb, in Argento Nürburgring (named after the racetrack where it was presented), with a Cartier red interior. The car has just been serviced at Ferrari Cornes and will be delivered with its complete tool kit, its manuals in its original leather case and its file of invoices, as well as the Cavallino magazine of October/November 1996, presenting the car.
Only 3,083 examples of the 550 Maranello were built, which is a very low production figure for its time, and this one obviously stands out from the rest with its exceptional history, extremely low mileage and very elegant colour combination. The 550 is a model to be snapped up quickly, before its already steadily rising price continues to soar.
Lots from outside the EU: In addition to the commissions and taxes indicated above, an additional import VAT will be charged (5,5% of the hammer price for vintage/classic cars, 20% newer/modern motorcars plus potentially a 10% customs duty).
