Since the Lampredi-engined 340 America of 1950, Ferrari has reserved the America, and later, Superamerica names for particularly special variants of its already remarkable cars. In the 1950s and 60s, 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 or Superamerica variant were ever produced, making them among the most exclusive Ferraris produced.
The name disappeared in the mid-1960s, but Ferrari dusted it off for another special car in 2005, the open variant of the 575M. Together, the 550 Barchetta and Superamerica were the only open versions of the Maranello. This rectified the disappointing omission of open 12-cylinder Ferraris during the Boxer and Testarossa eras that spanned the 25 years after the discontinuation of the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider, the hypercar F50 notwithstanding.
The Superamerica incorporates all the ingredients that have made the 550 and 575 Maranellos modern classics. Specifically, the return to a front-mounted naturally-aspirated V12 with transaxle to recall some of the most iconic Ferraris, such as the 275 GTB and 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The Pininfarina styling is simultaneously contemporary and classic, evoking 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 274cc 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. Where the 550 Barchetta is elemental and pared down because of its emergency canvas soft top whose maximum permissible speed is 120 kph (75 mph), the open version of the 575M, the Superamerica, was at the opposite end of the spectrum. Its roof is a beautifully engineered all-weather and all-speed engineering marvel. Dubbed revocromico, the roof was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti, the celebrated Pininfarina designer who penned the 206 and 246 Dino, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the 308 and 328, the 288 GTO, the Testarossa, and many others.
The roof is comprised of a carbon fiber structure with 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 from the 575M by a 25 hp power increase to 533 bhp. 559 Superamericas were made, of which all but approximately 43 examples had the F1 transmission.
This particular car is one such example, and it is even more desirable thanks to the optional Fiorano Handling Package which adds stiffer springs, a larger rear swaybar for more neutral handling balance, a different power steering ECU to enhance responsiveness, more aggressive brake pad compound, and red painted brake calipers.
The car was supplied new by Ferrari of Houston in December 2005. Its first owner kept it about three years, covering 1,400 miles before selling the car to its second owner in Malibu, California in late 2008. He retained the car until 2016 and today, the car has covered just 3,900 miles from new. It benefits from a recent timing belt and water pump service by highly-respected Ferrari experts Patrick Ottis and Co. New tires were also fitted at that time. The car comes with books, tools, flat tire repair kit, and factory car cover.
This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire one of the most collectible Ferraris of the modern era. Any Superamerica is rare, but a manual example even more so, and with the Fiorano package is nearly impossible to find. This rarity, coupled with this example’s superb color combination and low mileage, makes it an immensely collectible and desirable example of the last manual open V12 Ferrari ever made.
