How many 550s with carbon race seats made? | FerrariChat

How many 550s with carbon race seats made?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015.

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  1. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #1 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    howdy!
    Been a bit of a lurker here, but have a few questions I cant find the answer to.

    I live in the Netherlands, and have recently purchased a 550 maranello from 1998.
    All black, with carbon fiber race seats.

    I was wondering, how many of the cars came with this option, because while I was looking for my 550 I didnt necessarily want race seats, but as it happened I ended up with one that has.

    Anyone with an educated guess or perhaps some data on this?

    Much appreciated!
     
  2. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #2 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ferrari55whoa likes this.
  3. abo78

    abo78 Karting

    Sep 5, 2008
    113
    Denmark
    #3 abo78, Mar 20, 2015
    I think all Barchettas had it! Mine has and all pictures I have seen of other Barchettas has it as well.
     
  4. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #4 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2015
  5. gsjohnson

    gsjohnson Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
    2,291
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    GS Johnson
    #5 gsjohnson, Mar 20, 2015
    I'd like a set of the Sport Seats (race). I'd trade or buy outright.
     
  6. MogulBoy

    MogulBoy Formula Junior

    Sep 23, 2004
    969
    Devon
    #6 MogulBoy, Mar 20, 2015
    I found the source of that photo and it was from a 'for sale' listing in 2012(?).

    Classic Italian Cars For Sale » Blog Archive » 2001 Ferrari F550 Barchetta

    It would appear that the owner replaced the seats and removed the roll bars (but kept all the parts to return it to OEM Barchetta spec). Could have required a bit of effort to get power to those seats as I wouldn't have assumed that the loom was in place but 'who knows' ;)
     
  7. MogulBoy

    MogulBoy Formula Junior

    Sep 23, 2004
    969
    Devon
    #7 MogulBoy, Mar 20, 2015
  8. 550v12SABI

    550v12SABI Karting

    Mar 29, 2012
    243
    Long Island, N.Y US
    Full Name:
    Steve in NY
    #8 550v12SABI, Mar 20, 2015
    You can add mine to that number as well when someone comes up with it, but I was the guy that probably got to buy those carbon fiber racing seats that came off of that barchetta. I have seen several Barchettas without the racing seats. They cost an arm and a leg (make that two arms and two legs) but a great look and I am pleased with them. However, every time I am reminded how much they cost and what I had to go through to get them to NY from UK, I want to puke(literally LOL).
    Steve in NY
     
  9. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #9 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    Nice work Sherlock!
     
  10. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #10 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    It seems that the Barchetta race seats are not the same as the normal 550 race seats.
    The barchetta race seats have bigger holes on the top and a piece of trim:
    http://ferrari-4me.weebo.it/static/550BarchettaPininfarina_001150-1280x0.jpg

    I think they resemble more the ferrari 360 race seats, but those openings at the top have slightly different shape as well.

    The normal 550 race seats dont have any (plastic?) trim like the barchetta or 360 race seatss.

    Anyway...still no idea how many came factory installed with race seats... :(
     
  11. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,313
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #11 greyboxer, Mar 20, 2015
    OK I'll play: if we say 3700 approx 550 were made then my sense is its pretty rare so 10 % - call it 400 worldwide
     
  12. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #12 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    3083 550 mades if we dont include barchettas.
    well I guess 10% could/would make sense.

    300-400 would be my guess as well.
    Problem is there isnt a website where there are like 100 550s for sale to sample size it and see if its true...
     
  13. MogulBoy

    MogulBoy Formula Junior

    Sep 23, 2004
    969
    Devon
    #13 MogulBoy, Mar 20, 2015
    ShineKen likes this.
  14. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #14 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 20, 2015
    Well yes, if you start adding multiple variables the list of exact matching specifications are going to be smaller.

    I wasnt able to find an online registry of all 550 maranello's.
    I know some true enthousiasts who start a registration of all VINs of a specific model (like V12 vantage) with which specs it came or like the challenge stradale. However I havent found a website that does that for the 550 maranello....
    Maybe a good idea.
     
  15. quinnie

    quinnie Rookie

    Feb 2, 2015
    5
    #15 quinnie, Mar 21, 2015
    I know from personal experience that the world speed record editions also have the Carbon fibre racing seats.


    Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk
     
  16. DarkShines

    DarkShines Formula Junior

    Feb 9, 2014
    362
    Gloucestershire
    Full Name:
    Lee James
    #16 DarkShines, Mar 23, 2015
    They are the early style race seats that were fitted in the 355's etc. They have the seatbelts etc fitted through the bolsters. The Maranello seats did not. Could these be retrofit seats?


    DarkShines
    [email protected]
     
  17. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #17 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 23, 2015
    Mine are the originals, same as the WSR seats:
    Cars For Sale - 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello World Speed Record for sale on Motor Sport Magazine

    Also shown here:
    1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello For Sale - Rennlist Discussion Forums

    Most retrofit will have the 360 seats fitted as they were produced a lot more:
    http://www.jimmy540i.com/cf_diffusers_4.jpg
     
  18. 3alfa

    3alfa Karting

    Nov 22, 2011
    154
    Hoofddorp The Nether
    Full Name:
    Ger Bloem
    #18 3alfa, Mar 26, 2015
    That makes at least 2 in the Netherlands. My 550 have then
     
  19. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #19 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 26, 2015
    Hi Ger,

    Any pictures of your seats/car?
     
  20. pigfragger

    pigfragger Karting

    Feb 17, 2013
    52
    Bay Area California
    #20 pigfragger, Mar 26, 2015
    Congrats on your beautiful car Speedmaster. I am drooling on my keyboard looking at the race seats.

    -H
     
  21. Patrik550

    Patrik550 Karting

    Nov 28, 2006
    159
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Patrik
    #21 Patrik550, Mar 26, 2015
  22. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #22 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 26, 2015
    Thanks, picking it up tomorrow!!
     
  23. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #23 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 26, 2015
  24. SpeedmasterNL

    SpeedmasterNL Karting

    Nov 9, 2013
    161
    #24 SpeedmasterNL, Mar 31, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  25. gsjohnson

    gsjohnson Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
    2,291
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    GS Johnson
    #25 gsjohnson, Mar 31, 2015
    I want those seats! :)
     
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