Ferrari F50 (1996)

Following in the footsteps of the fabled F40, Ferrari’s F50 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1995. Hugely influenced by Formula 1 design and technology at the time, at the F50 heart was a naturally aspirated V-12 engine derived from Ferrari’s 642 F1 car, campaigned during the 1991 Formula 1 World Championship. With 512 bhp on tap, its Formula 1 origins and 8,000 rpm redline made the engine truly sonorous when driven as its manufacturers intended. Top speed was claimed as being 202 mph and from a standstill the F50 would sprint to 60 mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds.

As if its performance wasn’t enough, what truly set the F50 apart from its competitors at the time was its open-top body style, allowing buyers to choose from the closed comfort of a Berlinetta or the thrill of an open-top sports car, and no open-top sports car on sale at the time could match the sheer performance of the F50. Top down, the driving experience that the F50 provided its lucky driver and passenger was a close as one could get to driving a road-legal Formula 1 car. Only 349 examples would be built, far fewer than the F40 that preceded it.

Delivered new to its native Italy, this particular F50 has remained in its home country since inception, where it has always been well looked after and pampered accordingly. It was delivered directly by the factory to Maria Grazia Mazzocchi in January of 1996, finished in Rosso Corsa with red and black seats. Ms. Mazzocchi is the daughter of Gianni Mazzocchi, a well known Italian magazine editor who founded a number of highly successful publications in Italy, including Il Mondo, L’Europeo, and even the celebrated motoring publication Quattroruote.

The F50 remained in the Mazzocchi family only for a short while before it was sold to the second and current owner in May of 1999, with whom it has remained ever since. Residing in Modena just a stone’s throw away from the factory, the car is accompanied by its original service book, showing that it was regularly serviced and maintained by Motor Service S.r.l. In June of 2021, the F50 received a major service including replacement of its fuel tanks and is now ready to be used and enjoyed by its next owner.

An authorized Ferrari service centre located in the city of Modena, just 20 kms from the Ferrari factory itself, Motor Service S.r.l. is often considered as the ‘works’ service centre for the factory. A letter supplied by them in the history file dated May 2021 confirms that the car has always followed its maintenance schedule and is presented in excellent mechanical condition, showing no signs of obvious damage or alteration to the bodywork.

It is offered today with its original manuals, including service books, copies of service invoices from throughout its life, and accessories including the following:
-Flight case
-Fins and roll hoops
-Removable hardtop
-Soft top
-Original exhausts with manifolds, catalysts, and silencers
-Trunk-mounted toolkits with wheel socket
-Tyre repair bottle
-Car cover
-Complete luggage set
-Two sets of keys

Currently located in Italy, retaining its original Italian libretto, and showing just 20,000 kms from new, this represents the first time this F50 has been made available for purchase in over twenty years. Boasting a known history from new with just two owners and having been regularly service throughout its life, it would stand out in any collection.