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Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta

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author photo by Doug DeMuro October 2017
Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta featured image large thumb0
Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta featured image large thumb1
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Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta featured image large thumb1
Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta featured image large thumb2
Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta featured image large thumb3

You're looking at one of the rarest modern Ferrari models in existence. It's the Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta, and yes, it's a factory vehicle -- even though you've probably never seen one. Also, yes, those roll hoops are original. You probably wish you could unsee them.

Before I get into this specific car, a little history on the 550 Barchetta. Ferrari has never really made convertible versions of its V12 models, as the brand kept cars like the Boxer, the Testarossa and the 412 only available as coupes. This caused several aftermarket businesses to spring up to create convertibles, and apparently, at some point, Ferrari decided they wanted in. The first example of this was the 550 Barchetta, a roofless version of the desirable 550 Maranello coupe.

Offered only in 2001, the 550 Barchetta was made in an ultra-limited production run of just 448 units -- initially intended to be 444 but then slightly increased when the Chinese market expressed horror at the "unlucky" combination of fours. Unlike later limited-production Ferrari convertible models (like the 599 SA Aperta and 575M Superamerica), the 550 Barchetta was individually numbered, so you can tell exactly which one you're looking at; this particular example is number 357 of 448.

The 550 Barchetta's strangest feature, perhaps, was its roof: Ferrari intended this to be a true "barchetta," which is an Italian term for a completely roofless car -- with no convertible option. Practical realities meant that wasn't possible, so they offered it with one of the ugliest, most cumbersome roofs of any modern vehicle. I've only seen pictures of 550 Barchetta models with this roof on -- never actual roofed examples in person -- and it's worth a Google if you want a laugh.

This particular 550 Barchetta is finished in Ferrari's classic Rosso Corsa color, and it's offered with 9,400 miles by a private seller in San Anselmo, California -- north of San Francisco -- for $395,000. That's more than double the going rate of a standard 550 Maranello -- but it's fairly typical for the ultra-limited 550 Barchetta, which rarely comes up for sale.

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This image is a stock photo and is not an exact representation of any vehicle offered for sale. Advertised vehicles of this model may have styling, trim levels, colors and optional equipment that differ from the stock photo.
Autotrader Find: 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello Barchetta - Autotrader