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

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.

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.

Make offers for this very special 550

Launched to the press at the Nürburgring in 1996, the 550 Maranello was Ferrari's answer to those who believed the performance of a front-engined V12 car could not beat that of a mid-engined sports car. The successor to the F512M, the 550 Maranello proved quicker and, thanks to its better front-engined, rear drive packaging layout, far more practical.