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22 of 170 lots
Lot 22
2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica
Estimate:
$650,000 - $800,000
Starting bid:
$325,000
Sold for
$730,000
Live Auction
Pebble Beach Auctions 2023
Description
Chassis: ZFFGT61A550143793

Salesroom Addendum
Please note that this vehicle will not be sold for use or resale in California or to a non-dealer California resident.

One of Just 43 Limited-Production Open Ferrari Superamericas with Traditional Gated Manual Gearbox
Elegantly Finished in Argento Nürburgring over Grigio Scuro
Displaying Just over 13,000 Miles and Accompanied by Window Sticker, Books, and Tools
Ferrari Classiche-Certified Example Consigned from One of the World’s Finest Collections
Numerous Superamerica-Specific Features Including More Powerful Engine and Spectacular Glass Roof

5,748 CC DOHC 48-Valve V-12 Engine
Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1 Electronic Fuel Injection
533 BHP at 7,250 RPM
6-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes with ABS
Front and Rear Independent Suspension with Double Wishbones and Adjustable Dampers

Since the Lampredi-engined 340 America arrived in 1950, Ferrari has used the America – and later the Superamerica – names for particularly special variants of its already remarkable cars. In the 1950s and 1960s, the designation guaranteed an exceptionally stylish road-oriented, low-production car with a higher-performance engine. No more than a few dozen examples of each America and Superamerica variant were ever built, making them among the most exclusive Ferraris produced.

The Superamerica name disappeared in the mid-1960s, but Ferrari dusted it off for another special car in 2005, the open variant of the 575M. Together with the 550 Barchetta, the Superamerica was the sole open version of the Maranello. This rectified the disappointing omission of any open 12-cylinder Ferraris during the Boxer and Testarossa eras that spanned 25 years after the discontinuation of the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider (the hypercar F50 notwithstanding).

The Superamerica incorporated all the ingredients that have made the 550 and 575 Maranellos modern classics. Specifically, they returned to a front-mounted, naturally aspirated V-12 with transaxle, to recall some of the most iconic Ferraris, such as the 275 GTB and 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The Pininfarina styling – simultaneously contemporary and classic – evokes the grace, proportions, and muscularity of many of the most revered vintage Ferraris.

The 550 was updated to become the 575M in 2002, with styling updates inside and out, as well as technical revisions. These included a 274 cc displacement increase to 5,748 cc resulting in a 30 hp gain, larger brakes, and improved suspension and aerodynamics. The 575M also marked the introduction of the F1 automated transmission for the first time in a front-engined Ferrari. Drawing on the technology pioneered in Formula 1 race cars, the new transmission soon accounted for the majority of 575M sales.

As Ferrari had done with the 550 before it, an open variant of the 575M appeared toward the end of its production run. Whereas the 550 Barchetta is elemental and pared down because of its emergency canvas soft top and its maximum permissible speed is around 70 mph, the open version of the 575M – the Superamerica – was at the opposite end of the spectrum. The centerpiece of the car is its roof, which was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti, the celebrated Pininfarina designer who penned such cars as the 206 and 246 Dino, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the 308 and 328, the 288 GTO, the Testarossa, and many others.

Dubbed “Revocromico,” the roof is a technological marvel. It is comprised of a carbon fiber structure with an electrochromic glass center panel that can be adjusted from a nearly opaque, dark tint to transparent, with a rotary switch. Additionally, the entire roof opens electrically at the push of a button, hinging backwards to lie atop the trunk lid. Aside from its extraordinary roof, the Superamerica is further distinguished by a 25 hp power increase to 533 bhp. Only 559 Superamericas were made, of which the majority had F1 transmissions.

This particular Superamerica is one of just 43 built with a traditional gated manual transmission. Supplied new by Ferrari of Houston on October 31, 2005, this car is finished in the understated and elegant color combination of Argento Nürburgring (Nürburgring Silver) with Grigio Scuro (Dark Gray) interior, and is accented with contrasting charcoal piping, upper dashboard, and steering wheel. Other options include red brake calipers, Daytona seats, Scuderia Ferrari fender shields, a yellow tachometer face, and leather-trimmed rear firewall.

At the time of cataloguing, the car has covered just over 13,000 miles and is accompanied by factory tools, books (including stamped and signed warranty book), window sticker, service records, Ferrari Classiche certification, and even period magazine articles and a Superamerica baseball cap. The car has been lightly used by its fastidious owners and is being consigned by a major collector known for his exceptional taste, including his particularly superb 250 GTO. He purchased the Superamerica at Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo in Wilsonville, Oregon, and drove it more than 500 miles home, perfectly demonstrating the appeal of this car as a long-distance tourer of a caliber that will satisfy the most discerning collector.