FERRARI 550 Barchetta/575M Superamerica Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

In 2005 Ferrari introduced an open-top version for the 575 Maranello and offered a complex system of a rotating roof that also featured an electrochromic glass, leading to an exquisite experience for those inside the cabin.

The Superamerica version followed the same path as other famous Ferrari models, such as the 410 Superamerica. While it was based on the same platform as the 550/575M Maranello, it was also the top GT model for the Italian carmaker. It provided a mix of comfort and sportiness rarely achieved by any other carmaker in the world.

Unlike other carmakers that tried to make a retractable roof to offer an open-top experience, Ferrari just installed a rotating panel that sat above the trunk in the back and, when swiveled around, it covered the cabin. Moreover, the roof panel was made from a special electrochromic glass that could have been tinted or cleared at the touch of a button. At the front, the car sported the same front fascia as the 575 Coupe version, which, in turn, was almost identical to the one installed on the 550.

The interior boasted a luxurious ambiance, with a combination of leather, aluminum, and high-quality plastics for the switches and knobs. Make no mistake, it was still a performance vehicle, and that was confirmed by the bolstered seats. Moreover, the yellow dial for the center-mounted tachometer inside the instrument cluster was a reminder about the car's designation: speed.

Under the hood, Ferrari dropped a 5.7-liter V12 powerplant mated to either a six-speed manual or an automatic with the same number of gears.

With the occasion of its 70th Anniversary, Ferrari and Pininfarina built a limited production of the 550 Maranello. Each car was custom-built, individually numbered, and bore Sergio Pininfarina's signature.

The 550 Barchetta was a roadster built for thrills and emotions. It was designed to be driven hard with the top down. With its top installed, it was recommended to drive the roadster with up to 110 kph (65 mph). There were only 448 vehicles produced.

The magicians from Pininfarina design studio closely worked with Ferrari since forever. The 550 was one good example of what they could put up together. The long, sleek, hood, with an air-intake in the middle, the smile-like grille in the apron, and the flush to the hood headlights were just the beginning. Viewed from the side, the raked windshield and the wide B-pillars were the only elements above the car's beltline. The Barchetta weighted the same as a regular F550 coupe.

The interior of the two-seat roadster was customized for each unit. The sport-bucket seats with leather upholstery were chosen for most of the vehicles. Some were ordered with Alcantara. On the center console, the manual gear-stick was made of aluminum, with the specific Ferrari gate for gears. On the center stack and inside the instrument cluster, the designers installed carbon-fiber trims.

Under the hood, the F550 Maranello Barchetta used the same 5.5-liter V12 as the Ferrari 550 Maranello, It was paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox.