This 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello is a European-market example that spent time in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium prior to my purchase and import to the US in 2022. Finished in Rosso Corsa over Nero leather, the car is powered by a 5.5-liter V12 paired with a six-speed manual transaxle. Equipment includes a limited-slip differential, 18″ five-spoke alloy wheels, fog lights, power-adjustable seats, a gated shifter, a CD stereo, and automatic climate control. This 550 Maranello includes the owner’s manual, service records, a maintenance log, tool kit, 2 keys and 3 remotes (2 black, 1 red), a clean Carfax report, and a clean Montana title. The six-digit odometer shows 60k kilometers (~37k miles), approximately 500 of which were added under my ownership. The 18″ five-spoke alloy wheels are mounted with Continental ExtremeContact Sport O2 tires, which show date codes from 2022. A major service (including belts) was conducted in May 2023. Service performed in 2024 includes an oil change along with the replacement of the fuel pumps and gaskets.

A few notes about the service history that I thought would be helpful to address:

The car has been inspected by two Ferrari dealers and an independent that specializes in Ferraris (Brian Crall) within the last ~500 miles, and I’ve addressed any needs noted. The clean bill of health from the selling Ferrari dealer in Belgium was a big factor in my purchase, as I was hesitant to purchase sight-unseen.

– Fuel pumps and pump mounts/carriers – replaced with OE fuel pumps and improved aftermarket aluminum mounts/carriers. Brian Crall; May 7, 2024; 59,917 km.

– Airbag ECU – replaced with a used original Ferrari euro unit on March 15, 2024 (59,802 km). The airbag light was on when I received the car. The airbag ecu was apparently dead (apparently the capacitors are subject to failure if a jump-start is attempted) and the units are NLA from Ferrari or the manufacturer (TRW). I looked for several months and finally found one in Europe which was tested and installed. Brian Crall; March 15, 2024; 59,802 km.

– Major Service – timing belt, AC belt, PS belt replaced, belt tensioners serviced; all filters and fluids (oil, transmission, differential, power steering, engine coolant, brake fluid) replaced; vehicle inspected. Brian Crall; April 12, 2023; 59,127 km.

– Annual Service – Oil change, fluids checked, and condition inspection. Brian Crall; May 2024; 59,917 km.

– AC compressor replaced? I don’t have a record of the AC compressor being replaced, but it works perfectly – essential for me in Texas! – and my shop + two Ferrari dealerships (Belgium and Austin) did inspections of the car within the last ~500 miles, and would have advised if it needed to be replaced or attended to.

– Shocks replaced? No record of the shocks being replaced, but no issues. They can be rebuilt inexpensively when the need arises.

– Electric windows working? Yes, windows work properly and index when opening and closing the doors.

– Clutch changed? No record of the clutch replacement, but it works perfectly, and as the car only has 37k miles, it should last for many years to come.

– Most recent brake service? Brake fluid was replaced in May 2023 and checked again in May 2024. Pads and rotors are in good condition and did not need replacement.

– Factory options? No factory options fitted, as I believe none were offered in the early years of the 550.

– Any non-stock or refurbished parts? I’ve kept it entirely stock. The buttons were refurbished by sticky no more.

– Does the stereo have bluetooth? The stereo is I believe an original euro unit and does not have bluetooth.

– Any parts repainted / touched up? As mentioned in the ad, there is a paint blemish on the roof (passenger side, see photos), and a few rock chips that have been touched up (see photos). The paint overall is in very good condition, which is why I decided to not repaint the roof; I’d rather keep it original. I’m not aware of any parts that were repainted prior to my ownership; when I did the paint meter check (see photos), the thickness seemed to indicate original paint, but these cars were, I believe, hand painted so thickness tended to vary a bit.

– Any shrinkage on the leather on the dashboard? No shrinkage or delamination on the dash or any interior panel (see photos).

– Do the seats show any wear/tear on the leather that isn’t showing in the pictures? The photos accurately depict the interior; I tried to capture all the angles, but if there is a particular area of interest I can post a photo.

Why did I buy this Ferrari? I wanted the purest and most traditional Ferrari experience: a Euro car with euro gauges and lighting in Rosso Corsa and black interior. I also wanted a car that had been well-serviced and had enough miles that I knew it has been driven regularly and which I could drive without guilt or fear.

I found this car at a Ferrari dealer in Belgium, where it was listed as Ferrari Certified, which I thought was a good way to de-risk a sight-unseen international transaction. Turns out, it wasn’t Ferrari Certified, but it had gone through their certification checklist (see photos).

Once it arrived, I took it to the local Ferrari dealer in Austin and realized quickly that they are not set up to service older Ferraris. Fortunately, thanks to members on FerrariChat, I discovered Brian Crall, a legendary Ferrari guru that was able to go through the car and bring it up to spec.

Why am I selling it? After a few years of owning it, I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t fit well into my life at this stage (lots of kids at home, busy work schedule, etc). As much as I love it, I haven’t driven it as intended or as it deserves and so I’m reluctantly releasing it to the next caretaker. I’ll have another 550 someday when I have more time and space to enjoy it.

More pictures available on request (the upload system has given me fits, so apologies for the out-of-order nature of the gallery).

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.