Unveiled at the Paris Show in 2000, the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was so named to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Ferrari’s coachbuilder and stylist. A strictly limited edition of just 448 numbered cars was built, with the last leaving the factory in December 2001. An accurate selection of the high-definition key images of the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina.

The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was specifically designed to be reminiscent of legendary Ferrari road race stars of the likes of the 166 MM, the 250 GT California and the 365 GTS4 Daytona. The aim, in fact, was to create an open-top front-engined 12-cylinder with a retro feel to it. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was designed and developed to be a unique interpretation of Ferrari’s purest and most extreme sports cars. In fact, it was a deliberate and provocative departure from the rest of the current range. As such, it was made available only as a limited edition of just 448, all of which were built in Maranello in 2001.

Each car was numbered and its number displayed on a special in-car plaque signed by Sergio Pininfarina. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was the perfect new millennium interpretation of the classic, open-top front-engined V12 Ferrari sports car, complete with modern styling and technology.

One of its signature styling cues was a traditional barchetta-style cut to the windscreen (around 100 mm lower than the 550 Maranello) with a body-coloured finish to the lower section of the surround. It was also, tellingly, a model aimed exclusively at open-air use, providing just a manual soft-top for emergency use. Lined with impact-absorbing material and trimmed in attractive leather, the rear roll-bars provided additional structural rigidity as well as protection for the occupants in case of an accident. The windscreen surround was also completely redesigned and incorporated a high-strength steel tube to withstand the car’s weight in a roll-over situation.

The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was powered by the very same 5474 cc 65° V12 as the 550 Maranello. It delivered 485 hp at 7000 rpm, with a maximum of 58 kg of torque at 5000rpm. The cylinder block, cylinder heads and sump were all light alloy with Nikasil-coated aluminium wet liners. The patented Ferrari system incorporated a third plenum in the intake manifold which varied the fluid dynamic characteristics. Air was taken in via 12 electropneumatic throttle valves governed by the engine’s CPU. This control ensured optimum performance at all engine speeds, guaranteeing excellent torque delivery across the entire rev range.