1997 Ferrari

Entering production on Friday 18 July 1997 and completed just one week later, this exceptional example was specified in Grigio Titanio over Crema hide, beautifully stitched in dark blue and complemented by dark blue carpets, upper dashboard and windscreen surround. It is a remarkably rare — and quite possibly unique — factory colour combination.

Following completion, the car remained at the factory over the summer shutdown period. Its original Certificate of Conformity, issued on 19 September 1997 and still present in the history file (an essential document for export purposes), accompanies the car today.

The vehicle was delivered by truck to the UK importer in Egham, Surrey, before onward transport to the supplying Yorkshire dealership in Bradford. It was first registered on 23 October 1997 to a 52-year-old Yorkshire-based company director. The original sales invoice, which remains with the car, confirms a total purchase price of £144,476.12.

Notable factory options included dark blue seat stitching (STC1) at £180, along with the upper dashboard and windscreen surround in dark blue (DSH 1+2) at an additional £456.

The second owner, a Surrey-based property company director, acquired the car on 31 March 1999 with just 2,418 recorded miles for £122,000, replacing his 1986 Testarossa (#59561). During this period of ownership, the road wheels and wheel bolts were replaced as part of a factory safety recall completed in September 2002.

In May 2014, with 7,431 miles recorded, the car was sold to a West Country company director who was assembling a private collection following the sale of his business. Five years later, on 31 July 2019, it was acquired by its most recent keeper, a Surrey-based enthusiast, with only 7,500 miles showing.

Today, the car remains in outstanding, highly original condition and presents very much as new. It retains its original factory book pack, leather wallet and service book with 16 stamped entries.

The car has just benefitted from a major service including replacement camshaft belts, new auxiliary drive belts, four new tyres (replaced due to age), computerised wheel alignment and a fresh MOT test.

Importantly, the Ferrari 550 Maranello celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, with both factory and dealer-led events planned to mark the occasion. These celebrations are expected to generate renewed interest and further highlight the model’s significance as one of Ferrari’s definitive front-engined V12 grand tourers.

An exceptionally low-mileage, highly original and unusually specified example with superb provenance and documentation throughout. A rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully preserved late-1990s Ferrari with genuine collector appeal.