Ferrari’s original open‑top V12s are criminally underrated

When you see one, it’s a bit of an occasion. They’re cars that get an appreciative nod from those in the know, so seeing two in one room – a 550 Barchetta and a 575 SuperAmerica at Bonhams|Cars Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris sale – was pretty special.

Yet far from the star cars, they weren’t even the star Ferraris, overshadowed by an example of the mythical Enzo hypercar tipped to bring in some £3million. Still they sat in orbit of it, near the centre of Bonhams|Cars exhibition and bidding hall in Paris, which would suggest they ought to each bring in more than a tenth of the Enzo’s value – or more pertinently, the RRP of a well-specced series production 812 GTS that succeeded them – that is often expected of these cars. Why are they so underrated, then?

They are after all very nearly as rare, with the 550 Barchetta being one of just 448 made – number 233, to be precise – and the 575 being one of just 559 made.

The 550 in fact has the honour of being the last V12-engined Ferrari to be exclusively offered with a manual transmission. The six-speed gated ’box was offered in the 575 but, as proved typical for cars of its era, the optional paddle-operated automated manual was more popular.

The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina to give it its full name, was at the time of its reveal in 2000 a celebration of the 70th birthday of the famed stylist, coach builder and long-time marque collaborator. The changes made go some way beyond simply popping the top, with the windscreen itself sitting a good six inches lower than that of the 550 as standard and that of the SuperAmerica that succeeded it. That unfortunately also necessitated the fitment of those distinctive roll hoops.

A bone of contention with the 550 that’s often posited as a limiting factor in its appeal, especially in less-than-sun-soaked environments, is the roof. Even Ferrari described the manually-fitted, fold-out fabric item as ‘temporary’. It’s a token effort that’s far from ideal for those of us that like to get out and drive, given it limits this 180mph super speedster to 70mph when in place. When not fitted, all but the sunniest of days do not appeal. That’s a shame because the 550 platform is so eminently capable and usable, even the best part of three decades on from its debut.

Still, Ferrari sold out of the SP1 and SP2 for sturdy seven figure prices quickly enough, so the argument doesn’t really hold water.

For SuperAmerica, the Modificata to the Barchetta, a unique 180-degree electric folding roof was added, which featured some of the earliest electrochromic glass in the car industry inside a carbon-fibre framework. When folded back the curved-down window serves as a wind deflector. This, along with a choice of transmissions rather than the prescribed manual of the 550, expanded the appeal and usability of the 575 SuperAmerica.

That was unfortunately paired with divisive looks, the 575 gaining a slightly peculiar reshaped rump with repositioned lights. Happily, it did also gain the 575M’s myriad chassis and engine enhancements, taking performance to the next level with 540PS (397kW) and a 198mph top speed. By those figures, the SuperAmerica is even today, 20 years on from its introduction, a contemporary super GT.

The cars offered here with Bonhams|Cars in Paris are superlative examples, with the SuperAmerica showing just two owners on its record and just 2,170 miles covered. That distinctive glass roof is relatively new too, with a replacement item being fitted within the last two years, during the second owner’s stewardship. Grigio Silverstone over tan is an incredibly contemporary specification on what apart from its period-typical F1 transmission, remains a stunning, rare and capable super GT. The 550 meanwhile is the typical Ferrari pinup spec in Rosso over nero, complete with its fitted luggage, helmets, books, tools and more. It’s of course a manual, with just under 10,000 miles on the clock and a flawless record of dealer maintenance.

It amazes us that you could buy both of these for the money a Carrera GT fetches these days with change to spare. You could have both for the price of the ultra-limited 599 SA Aperta that succeeded these both. Or, as above, for the same cash squarely, each for the price of an 812 GTS. Today’s open-top Ferrari might be faster and more capable but is it prettier, more desirable, cooler? We’re not so sure. It’s certainly not got the rarity factor. These limited-run pop-top front-engined Ferrari V12s are in our view, criminally undervalued.

Photography by Joe Harding.