2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta
Specifications
Configuration: Longitudinal front-engine
Engine: V12
Displacement: 335.6 cu in/ 5.5L
Horsepower: 478 hp at 7,000RPM
Torque: 420 lb ft at 5,000RPM
Max RPM: 7,700RPM
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds
Top Speed: 200 mph
A Little History
The 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta was a special-edition open version of the new Maranello model produced from 1996 to 2002, to mark Pininfarina’s 70th anniversary. A total of 448 examples were built. The Maranello marked Ferrari’s first return to the front-mounted engine since the discontinuation of the 365 GTB/4 Daytona in 1973.
The Barchetta was first displayed at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, and it featured a shorter, more aggressively raked windshield, two-piece alloy wheels, an aluminum fuel-filler door, and a restyled trunk that was actually larger than that of the coupe. Additionally, all 550 Barchettas were equipped with racing seats, which were optional in the coupe.
Unlike the Daytona Spider of old, the Barchetta was a true roadster, as it was equipped with a soft top substantial enough only for low speed use—Ferrari’s way of enticing their customers to have fun in the sun.
Barchetta, or “little boat” in Italian, is used by Italian car manufacturers to denote two-seat sports cars with either an open top or convertible roof. The first use of the term “barchetta” was by the editor of the Italian sporting newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Giovanni Canestrini, to describe the new Ferrari 166MM displayed at the 1948 Turin Auto Show.
The car on display, the 372nd Barchetta constructed, is finished in the classic color combination of Rosso Corsa and beige leather upholstery.
