Tag Archives: 2001

2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta

April 17, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

1992-1996 saw a return of three special things at Ferrari; first was the V12 engine to the road. Sure, the boxer 12 was a very special motor and powered some of the more memorable 1970s and 1980s Ferraris, but the 456, F50 and finally 550 Maranello saw the V12 make a triumphant return to form at Ferrari. The 550 really brought the final two items back; sure, the 456 was a great 2+2 but the 550 Maranello really reintroduced the world to the front engined Ferrari V12 GT car - something that hadn't been seen since the legendary Daytona. If those shoes weren't big enough to fill, Ferrari threw in another historic name when they chopped the top off, introducing the limited run Barchetta in 2000. In true Barchetta form, they received no hard-top option at all and the soft top that was available was only speed rated to 70 mph. It was a compromised vehicle, as any good Ferrari should be! It also got some special Speedline wheels and, outside the Enzo, was top-dog at Ferrari until the equally compromised 575M Superamerica was introduced in 2005. Today there is a lovely Euro-spec example available on Ebay:

Year: 2001
Model: 550 Barchetta
Engine: 5.5 liter V12
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 8,163 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta

Up for sale is a 2001 550 Barchetta with 8,163 miles production number 345. This particular 550 came from Germany and then was imported into the US and was legalized. It is a Euro spec car that has a clear US title. This 550 Barchetta is number 345 of 448. This is the modern day Daytona Spyder. They are already classics amongst the modern Ferrari’s. The Barchetta represents one of the rarest Ferraris on the road today. The front engine V12 is the perfect grand touring car. If you are looking at a Barchetta, you know what these very special cars are about. Please feel free to call me with any further questions.
EBAY does not like the Euro VIN number hence the 1980 year.

719-510-8080
Brett

Since most Ferraris are rare to begin with, saying this limited run Barchetta is one of the rarest points in part towards its value and desirability. While around $60,000 will fetch you a decently clean 550 Maranello, condition 1-2 Barchettas range from about $180,000 - $210,000. That's a big spread, big enough indeed to buy some other Ferraris. But this Barchetta, while out of the reach of most of us, is priced right in the middle of that spread, appropriate to where it should be. While it will remain a dream to most of us, it sure is beautiful to look at!

-Carter

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

December 6, 2012 Graham

The Ferrari F550 Barchetta has always been a bit of an oddball, forgotten Ferrari of recent years. The proportions kind of turned me off a bit, with the roll hoops looking a bit out of place and the long rear deck looking, well, a bit too long. Nevertheless, this was based off one of my favorite Ferraris of all time, the F550 Maranello, so I still have a bit of soft spot for these cars. They are compromised, however, as the roof included with the car could only be used up to 70 mph. This Barchetta for sale in California has been modified by the current seller, having the roll hoops taken off and the original racing seats removed for stock F550 Maranello seats. It gives this car a bit more of a tamer, street look.

2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

Up for auction is an absolutely stunning 2001 Ferrari Barchetta in Rosso Fiorano with Black Interior and only 8,130 miles. Serial Number 124043. Production Number 065/448. This 550 Barchetta was sold new at Ferrari of Dallas in August 30, 2001. The second owner was from California and in the entertainment industry. He sold it because he did not have time to drive it. Major service was completed in June 2012 at The Auto Gallery, an authorized Ferrari dealership (replacement of timing belts, etc.).

I have always loved the 550 Barchetta. I consider it the ideal modern Ferrari – impeccably made, equipped with modern electronic conveniences, very easy to drive and great for long distances. I would take this over a Daytona Spyder any day. Evidently, I made several modifications to this Barchetta due to personal preferences. I have always hated the big racing seats and the roll bars which visually detract from the smooth and flowing lines of the car. I would look at the roll bars and think the car was waiting to be picked up by a crane. So I took the roll bars out by simply removing 4 bolts and capped off the holes using the same materials which were dyed to match. The seats were replaced with 2 black Ferrari 550 coupe seats which bolted right into the factory holes from the racing seats. Now when you look at the Barchetta your eyes follow the lines of the car from any angle. Nothing was cut in this car so it can go back to stock in 1 hour (the stock seats and roll bars are included in this sale). I also added a Tubi Exhaust to give it that great Ferrari sound.

I know you’ll have questions so please feel free to call me: Rick – 805 218 0606. Please call rather than text. It takes me too long to reply by text or by email.

This is an interesting car because few people have the nerve to modify a Ferrari for fear of devaluing it. I like the fact that the seller removed the roll hoops, but personally, I would have kept the original seats. These open roofed F550s command a bit more money than their hardtop siblings. With low mileage and the desirable 6-speed manual gearbox, this car should bring somewhere around the $150,000 mark, as the range for these cars can range from around $125,000 and edge up close to $200,000. Personally, I'd rather have the beautiful hardtop, but these Barchettas might follow in the legendary Daytona Spyder and see prices reach into the stratosphere in the near future.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

May 30, 2012 Graham 5 Comments

From 1996 through 2006, the Ferrari F550 and F575M were admired for bringing back front-engine, V12 cache back to the house of the Prancing Horse. Before the F550 gave way to the F575M in 2001, an open roofed version of the F550 was introduced, the F550 Barchetta. A roadster in the truest sense of the word, Ferrari offered this car with a soft top, but advised owners not to exceed 70 mph with the top on. Only 448 were produced, along with 10 prototypes. Apparently the compromise of the roof up speed limit led Ferrari to take a different route with the open roofed F575 variant, the Superamerica. This was more of a targa version, however, with an interesting glass roof that articulated 180 degrees to lie flat over the trunk lid. A few more of those were produced, this time 559 left the factory. This example for sale in New Jersey is the earlier Barchetta version and is practically new with just over 3,000 miles.

2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

The seller of this Barchetta offered zero information about this particular car, which is a shame, given these cars are quite rare. The open roofed F550s and F575s tend to command higher values than their hardtop variants. Prices tend to range anywhere from $130,000 to $200,000 these days, depending on mileage and service history. I've never liked these open roofed variants, as they are compromised not only in usability but in the looks department. The hardtop F550 was so aesthetically pleasing that I couldn't imagine hacking the roof off. But, to each their own. Most people that would own a Barchetta have a stable of exotic iron to choose from on a day to day basis. But even if I was that wealthy, I'd still go for the cheaper and more usable hardtop.

-Paul

Lamborghini, Modern Classic

2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0

March 30, 2012 Graham

The job of succeeding the Lamborghini Countach was never going to be an easy one. Chrysler's takeover of Lamborghini took place in 1987, and with it, the final stages of development of the Countach replacement, the Diablo, fell under the watchful eye of Detroit. Tom Gale and the design team at Chrysler decided they didn't like Marcello Gandini's original design and smoothed out the sharp edges a bit. The era of Chrysler ownership was short lived, and by the end of the Diablo's life, Audi had taken the reigns. The last iteration of the Diablo is what we see here, a final year, 2001 Diablo with the 6.0 liter V12, revised interior fittings and all wheel drive system.

2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0

2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6.0. Very unique Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 Coupe finished in custom Verde Ithaca over black leather interior. This car has been completely redone top to bottom and is documented. Photos do not reflect the true beauty and depth of this amazing color! Factory installed options include:

6 speed Transmission
Clear Engine Bonnet
Branding Package
Black brake calipers w/Lamborghini script
Black leather w matching Verde Ithaca piping
Tinted Windows
FACTORY Wheels Available
Fresh Engine out Service
New clutch

The lime green color of this Diablo reminds me of a similar color that was offered years prior on the Miura. Values on Diablos have been strong, with earlier examples hovering around the $100,000 mark with late model examples in the mid $100,000 range. A later model, Audi influenced Diablo would certainly be a bit more easier to live with, but then again, that really isn't the point when it comes to Lamborghinis. It's about flamboyance, raw power and sheer outrageousness, which this green monster has in spades.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2001 Ferrari 456M GT

February 28, 2012 Graham

In the past decade, an alarming trend has taken hold with Italian supercars: the death of the traditional manual gearbox. Sure, more often than not the new automated manual gearboxes are more efficient in terms of performance and economy, but I can't help shed a tear contemplating the lack of involvement versus having a car with three pedals. The only new Ferrari you can buy with a proper manual gearbox is the California, and who knows how long that variant of their hardtop convertible will stick around for. I miss the old Ferrari, specifically, the impressive Gran Touring coupes that used to emerge from Maranello. The 456 was an impressive machine; the first front engined V12 Ferrari sold in the US since the 1970s. Most were equipped with a GM 4 speed automatic, but a few were sold in this market with a proper 6 speed manual. This car is one of them.

2001 Ferrari 456M GT

2001 Ferrari 456M GT. One of only 688 456M GT built, very hard to find 6-speed, absolutely impeccable. Black With Crème Connolly leather interior, books & records, toolkit and Ferrari cover. 30K service done at Ferrari dealership to the tune of $16,279.98 in 2011. New belts, new clutch, new radiator, new alternator, new Michelin Pilots, stainless steel Tubi exhaust, brand new leather dashboard!

Original paint, stunning condition. Original MSRP Of $226,964.00. Clean carfax, no stories. You probably won't find a nicer one. The name 456 is derived from the fact that each cylinder displaces 456 cubic centimeters. The Modificata 456 M appeared in 1998, starting with chassis number 109589. Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) was just 5.2 seconds. Many changes were made to improve aerodynamics and cooling, and the interior. The undercarriage spoiler on the 456 M is fixed, where the older 456 had a motorized spoiler that began its deployment above 105 km/h (65 mph).

Power was up slightly on the Modificata now using Bosch Motronic 5.2 engine management at 448 hp. The firing pattern was changed for smoother running, and the torque remained the same for later versions of the 456 GT. Despite its supercar performance, the 456 has a relatively unstressed engine, which has proven to be a very reliable unit. The chassis is a tubular steel spaceframe construction with a one-piece composite bonnet and body panels of aluminium. VIN# ZFFWL44A910125402.

An under $60,000 asking price is very tempting for so much Ferrari goodness. The recent service is encouraging but keep in mind that Ferrari services come up often and they are expensive. Therefore, a $60,000 Ferrari could turn into an $80,000 one in a heartbeat. Still, it is nice to dream and this is a fine example of a true gentleman's express.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2001 Ferrari F550 Maranello

January 21, 2012 Graham

Ever since the mid 1990s, I've found vehicle design to be rather uninspiring. From ill-proportioned cars to the controversy surrounding BMW and the designs of Chris Bangle, I've felt like the days of beautiful cars have passed us by. There have been some bright spots though. The revival of the MINI. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. And this car, the Ferrari F550 Maranello. Along with the 456, this car signaled a return to front engined V12 grand turing machines at the famed sports car manufacturer. Introduced in 1996, the F550 was positioned as Ferrari's flagship. With a 5.5 liter V12 pumping out 485 horsepower and plenty of luggage space for two, this was one of the most practical Ferraris to date. Our feature car is a 2001 model with under 20,000 miles on the clock and has the desirable 6 speed manual gearbox.

2001 Ferrari F550 Maranello

As a grand tourer, the Ferrari 550 Maranello successfully embodies Ferraris high performance ideologies while presenting a luxurious and spacious interior. The 550s naturally aspirated V12 mated to a 6 speed manual transmission produces an impressive 485 hp and 419 lb-ft of torque that allows the Maranello to speed to 60mph in 4.2 seconds while its rear trunk is still large enough to accommodate a full set of golf clubs. The roomy interior of this silver grand tourer sports grey leather seats and a red trim throughout.

F550 prices have been dropping steadily, with some early examples seeing values in the $50,000 range. This isn't much more than what a new Infiniti G37 Coupe sells for, but the eternal sticking point is the maintenance costs. This particular car is priced quite a bit higher at $83,900, but that is a mere pittance to what these cars cost new. Personally, I would have rather seen this silver color teamed with an all red interior, but there are worse color combinations. If your bank account can handle it and you are seeking a Ferrari that can be used a little more than once in a blue moon, the F550 is a fantastic proposition. I would hasten to say that in twenty to thirty years time, these coupes will have aged just as gracefully as that other legendary Ferrari coupe, the 250GT Lusso.

-Paul