Monday 28th January 2019

Ferrari 575M HGTC: Showpiece of the Week

Yep, the 575 really does now rank along with the mid-engined exotica, at least in terms of value - here's why

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If asked to devise the perfect GT car, what would you want? A V12 engine in the front with rear-wheel drive is, of course, a very good start; space, style, subtlety and speed would complement the package just nicely. Add in a historic badge, manual gearbox and considerable rarity and surely you'd be onto a winner. A car just like this one, in fact...

Really, it should have come as no surprise to anyone that the Ferrari 550 and 575 have appreciated so immensely over the past few years. Actually, that's not quite true; the 550's rise is understandable, given it represented the glorious return of the front-engined, V12 Ferrari flagship - but the 575's reputation isn't as clear cut. It wasn't as well received from launch, its styling was perhaps a bit fussier than the original 550 and it was forgotten ever so slightly in the wake of the staggering 599 GTB.

With deeper consideration though, the 575 is just as deserving of the recognition. Years of 550 production meant its niggles were ironed out for the 575; it had more power and better build quality (with lower running costs); and specced with the latter HGTC handling pack the dynamics were back to their best, too. Perhaps most significantly, the 575 represented the last time a manual gearbox was standard on a V12 Ferrari flagship. While there are a few 599 GTBs with three pedals and a stick, that was special order only; for the last car as standard from the factory with a manual, that's the 575.

This particular car is the dream spec: manual gearbox, HGTC package, not red - the front-engined V12s do tend to suit other colours, don't they? As a left-hand drive car it will not only suit European jaunts better as well (and be suitable to sell in more markets when the time comes), this 575 is just as rare as right-hand drive cars, the advert stating that European RHD cars are as common as LHD ones. Reportedly this is one of just nine configured this way. As Ferrari production numbers continue to rise and the manual gearbox becomes an ever more distant memory, demand for this layout is surely set to rise. 

Combine all of that with a low mileage of just 20,000 miles and a condition described as "remarkable", and it's clearer to see why it's commanding a £275k price. So while there are cheaper 550s, 575s and indeed 599s around, as a collectible spec that's still young enough to be enjoyed for a little longer, the case for this particular 575 is a strong one. And if the Daytona is anything to go by, as numbers dwindle the values may rise further still...

See the original advert here.

 

[wab172uk]

I absolutely love the 550 / 575 Ferrari.

For me, the last truly great V12 GT car Ferrari made.

[cayman-black]

As long as it has a manual box these are great cars, but oh my god are they awful with the F1 box.

Mind you that price is ridiculous. An Aston Martin V12Vantage 6 speed is a far better buy and a better car imo.

Edited by cayman-black on Monday 28th January 14:46

[myhandle]

A friend of mine bought a pristine, full service history, LHD, non-HGTC one of these with about twice the mileage, so hardy high mileage at c.40,000, less than a year ago, and he paid less than 70K for it.

Edited by myhandle on Monday 28th January 15:39

[911Thrasher]

HGTC transformed the car, i had a black one, should have never sold it

[Leigh-o70eq]

Drove one of these back to back with 3 other cars and this was the most underwhelming. Wouldn't be where I would spend that sort of money.

[323ti]

275k, and then a gaping shutline like that between the bonnet and the left headlight?

Taking the mick.

[big_rob_sydney]

Why are you guys trying so hard to convince us? Someone over there have one they want to flog?

[wab172uk]

323ti said:

275k, and then a gaping shutline like that between the bonnet and the left headlight?

Taking the mick.

Then don't buy it.

Manual Ferrari's are very strong money these days. In a world of Auto gearboxes, something like a 550 / 575 will always command strong money. Not only was it one of Ferrari's greatest cars, but you get to enjoy the `clack` clack` from the open gate gearstick

the most pristine RHD 550 would be one of my first purchases come a nice Lottery win.

[bergxu]

The 550 most certainly didn't represent the "return of the front engined V-12 flagship". There was the 456/456M and before that, the 400/412. And there was no gap, in fact the 456 and 550 overlapped each other in production. This car is silly money, I'd have a 550 all day long over a 575 although my current 456M does the job just fine, and the 2+2 is rather helpful for stowing luggage, etc..on long weekend jaunts.

[Ironass]

I'll stick to my 355 GTB manual - the last of the real Ferraris without the gizmos - and 7 year old BMW 120d which can be as much fun and does 50mpg and is worth about £5K

[clarkei]

Never make the mistake of confusing a normal 575 with a HGTC Amazing differnce. Dig out Jason Plato 5th Gear review. Wonderful thing. Sure to be snapped up

[Jex]

bergxu said:

The 550 most certainly didn't represent the "return of the front engined V-12 flagship". There was the 456/456M and before that, the 400/412. And there was no gap, in fact the 456 and 550 overlapped each other in production. This car is silly money, I'd have a 550 all day long over a 575 although my current 456M does the job just fine, and the 2+2 is rather helpful for stowing luggage, etc..on long weekend jaunts.

And the 456s are much cheaper. I don't know why.

[greenarrow]

Jex said:

bergxu said:

The 550 most certainly didn't represent the "return of the front engined V-12 flagship". There was the 456/456M and before that, the 400/412. And there was no gap, in fact the 456 and 550 overlapped each other in production. This car is silly money, I'd have a 550 all day long over a 575 although my current 456M does the job just fine, and the 2+2 is rather helpful for stowing luggage, etc..on long weekend jaunts.

And the 456s are much cheaper. I don't know why.

I think what they're saying is that the Ferrari 550 was the flagship Ferrari at the time, which from memory it was. They had the F355 and then then 550M if I remember correctly. The 456 wasn't the flagship at the time, as they had the 512.

The 550 Maranello was brilliant in its day, winning all the various car of the year gongs, but I never remember any version of the 575 shining so brightly. Personally I think this 575M is making the later 599GTB look good value. If I had a rich man looking to buy a Ferrari to keep for a bit, that's where my money would be going right now.

[CrunkleFloop]

323ti said:

275k, and then a gaping shutline like that between the bonnet and the left headlight?

Taking the mick.

Yep. I'd be checking that front crossmember.... the front does look a bit cockeyed doesn't it.

[soad]

This old 5th Gear video with Jason Plato is another great one for the HGTC admirers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhJCOHVX760

[BVB]

What a gent of a car. Graceful, with an exquisite engine.

[Plate spinner]

CrunkleFloop said:

323ti said:

275k, and then a gaping shutline like that between the bonnet and the left headlight?

Taking the mick.

Yep. I'd be checking that front crossmember.... the front does look a bit cockeyed doesn't it.

I'm sure it'll be down to 'yesteryear charm' and 'character'

[CampDavid]

It's a manual LHD 575 HGTC. There are 9 of them apparently and that makes it an incredibly rare Ferrari. Price wise, it's always going to be stratospheric, comparing it to a normal 550 or a 456 is a little bit silly.

[CampDavid]

greenarrow said:

Jex said:

bergxu said:

The 550 most certainly didn't represent the "return of the front engined V-12 flagship". There was the 456/456M and before that, the 400/412. And there was no gap, in fact the 456 and 550 overlapped each other in production. This car is silly money, I'd have a 550 all day long over a 575 although my current 456M does the job just fine, and the 2+2 is rather helpful for stowing luggage, etc..on long weekend jaunts.

And the 456s are much cheaper. I don't know why.

I think what they're saying is that the Ferrari 550 was the flagship Ferrari at the time, which from memory it was. They had the F355 and then then 550M if I remember correctly. The 456 wasn't the flagship at the time, as they had the 512.

The 550 Maranello was brilliant in its day, winning all the various car of the year gongs, but I never remember any version of the 575 shining so brightly. Personally I think this 575M is making the later 599GTB look good value. If I had a rich man looking to buy a Ferrari to keep for a bit, that's where my money would be going right now.

456 was actually the most expensive mainstream model at the time and carried a premium over the 512 and the 550. It's a 4 seater though, which makes it less popular and it isn't as good to drive as the 550 apparently.

Running costs on the 456GT are also (apparently) higher. Looks wise I think I prefer the 456 but the 550 is probably the one that'll always be more valuable.