2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello World Speed Record

Front engined V12 Ferrari Grand Tourers have always been the stuff of legend since the days of the original 365 GTB/4 Daytona back in the early 1970s. This evolution has included the famous 456 model which was superseded in July 1996 by the Pininfarina designed 550 Maranello. Displacing 5,500 cc, and built in Maranello, the 478 bhp engine powered a rear wheel drive, front engined car, with a rear 'transaxle' layout. All of this, when combined with the tubular steel space frame chassis, aluminium body panels, and double wishbone suspension - resulted in a superb drivers car!

The Ferrari 550 also enjoyed a great amount of success on racing circuits, often in collaboration with Prodrive. In October 1998, Ferrari sent a lightly modified version to a 12-kilometre oval test track in Columbus, Ohio and set three new world records as follows:

- Covering 100 miles at an average speed of 190.2mph.- Driving for one hour at an average speed of 184mph.- Covering 100 kilometres at 188.9mph.

To celebrate these records, Ferrari built 33 road cars to the exact specification of the record-setting car. The differences over the standard car were the Fiorano handling pack, leather trimmed roll cage, suede-covered steering wheel, and carbon bucket seats with Daytona stitching and race harnesses. Other changes included the Scuderia wing shields, throaty sports exhaust, brake calipers in Rosso, Bordeaux carpets and a "WSR' plaque.

Only ten right-hand drive examples were sold new to the UK market and a number of these found their way back overseas. This particular 550 'World Speed Record' was delivered new to well-known Ferrari specialists Mortimer, Houghton and Turner by Maranello Concessionaires. It was sold new to Mr Terry Lister of automotive fame on 5th May 2000 and was serviced by the supplying dealer in 2001 and 2003.

Purchased by our vendor in 2005, the car has formed part of his collection ever since and he informs us it has been regularly serviced by his private mechanic. Now having covered just 33,800 miles, the car will be sent to Ferrari specialist Terry Keys at Silverstone prior to the auction, where a full service and MoT will be carried out and an independent condition report will be made available to prospective buyers.

Supplied with the correct wallet, manuals and service book, we are delighted to offer this exceptionally rare right-hand drive 'WSR' to public auction for the first time in its life. We welcome pre-sale inspections and buyers should contact the office for early viewings. This beautiful 550 Maranello opens the door into a very exclusive club and represents an exciting opportunity for any collector.