Gorgeous new bodywork has been crafted for this special restomodded 550 Maranello
A year ago, one of Italy’s most storied coachbuilders, Touring Superleggera, reimagined the Ferrari 550 Maranello for the modern era with the debut of the striking Veloce12. That coupe turned plenty of heads, and now the follow-up has arrived. The Veloce12 Barchetta carries over the jaw-dropping presence of the original while adding the thrill of open-air motoring.
Read: The Veloce12 Is A Breathtaking Evolution Of The 1990s Ferrari 550
For the most part, the design of the 550 Maranello droptop is the same as the coupe, but it does feature several unique elements. These new touches start at the front end where the coachbuilder has designed distinct new headlights for the car, now each fitted with two square lamps and shrouded in carbon fiber.
Convertible Refinements
Obviously, the most significant change made is the inclusion of a convertible roof, which has necessitated the inclusion of two leather-wrapped rollover bars behind the seats. Moreover, Touring Superleggera crafted a distinct rear cover for the Veloce12. Finally, like the fixed-top version, the Barchetta sports new tailpipes and a carbon fiber diffuser.
As with the Coupe, power is provided by a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 delivering 478 hp and 419 lb-ft (568 Nm), just like it did in the original 550. This powertrain is mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels, allowing for a 4.4-second 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint and a 180 mph (290 km/h) top speed.
The engine may be standard Ferrari, but the marque has added a Supersprint exhaust, adjustable Tractive suspension, and meatier Brembo brakes for added bite.
Inside, the Barchetta makes an impression of its own. The cabin, revealed during last weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is wrapped in rich brown and cream leather and accented with custom switches and gauges, a nod to the bespoke craftsmanship that defines the project.
The Price of Exclusivity
Touring Superleggera is building 30 examples of the Veloce12 Coupe, each priced from $758,000, excluding the cost of the donor car. It hasn’t said how many examples of the Veloce12 Barchetta are heading to the road, nor how much it’ll cost, but it’s reasonable to assume it will be sold at a premium over the hardtop.
Google News
MSN Start
Brad Anderson’s lifelong affair and fascination with cars started young. Before even graduating high school,… Read full bio

source