550 Barchetta facts | FerrariChat

550 Barchetta facts

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by marcos, Jan 2, 2004.

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  1. marcos

    marcos Formula 3

    Dec 30, 2003
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    #1 marcos, Jan 2, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Second try…

    It seems nobody knows an answer to my questions…? So I’m going to try it again.

    Can anybody tell me something about the 550 Barchetta? What I’m looking for is the Specific Power (…HP/Litre), what type of clutch it has, the gear ratio and the type off electric system it’s got.
    I was also wandering if the suspension is the same as the Maranello?

    If you have an answer, let me know.

    Thanks,
    Marc.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. ze_shark

    ze_shark Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2003
    1,274
    Switzerland (NW)
    In my humble knowledge, everything except
    - the wheels (modular wheels were standard)
    - the seats (the sport seats were standard)
    - the body (convertible of course)
    is the same as a 550. No engine or gearbox change I am aware of, but I am no specialist on the matter.
     
  3. marcos

    marcos Formula 3

    Dec 30, 2003
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    I also thought so, but the 550 Barchetta has a top off 300 km/h (186 mph) and the 550 Maranello a top off 320 km/h (199 mph).
    There’s got to something different?
     
  4. cavallino

    cavallino Formula Junior

    Aug 21, 2003
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    Alain
  5. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
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    what's the confusion?

    that's 186mph for the barchetta (whose canvas, snap-on top is NOT to be used over 60mph or something like that - so by definition that's 186 "open"); and 199mph for the 550 maranello, available in coupe form only.

    makes total sense vis-a-vis aerodynamics.

    doody.
     
  6. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
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    Apr 3, 2001
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    Sort-of. The only difference is there's no roof top. There is a hardtop, but pretty much, it is always open air. There's no soft top, nor way to change it over easily, unless you purchased the hard top and put that on there.
     
  7. jmillard308

    jmillard308 F1 Veteran
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    ????????????????????????????
     
  8. Willis360

    Willis360 F1 Rookie

    Aug 4, 2001
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    I think what Schatten meant was that an aftermarket hardtop (very ungainly one at that) can be purchased for the Barchetta.

    The emergency softtop, for the times you get caught in the rain, is good for 70MPH according to the factory.

    Outside of some structural reinforcement, the barchetta is pretty much the same as a standard 550.

    There is a company in Milan that will convert your Barchetta into a "Spyder" by adding a fully functional convertible top.
     
  9. F1racer

    F1racer F1 Rookie

    Oct 5, 2003
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    -It has 485 bhp like in the 550 Maranello....
    -Only 448 Barchetta ever produced.
    -Top speed = 186 mph compared to 199 mph in the 550
    -The interior is pretty much the same.
    -When the top is down you could only reach a topspeed of 68 mph.
     
  10. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 17, 2001
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    U meant when the top is on.
    Without the top ( or emergency top ) it can go top speed.


    Its a barchetta , so it was meant to be used without any top. The top that comes with the car is for emergency use only ...as its the case with every barchetta bodied cars.


    Later a german company offered a Hard top for the barchetta..
     
  11. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    6,124
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    Usually they stiffen the chasis, so, convertibles are usually heavier than their hard top counterparts. But in this case, both models weigh the same. So, weight doesn't explain the top speed difference.
     
  12. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

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    i'll bet dollars for doughnuts that aerodynamics explains the top speed difference. coupe -vs- no-top has to have a wildly substantial effect on the aerodynamics.

    doody.
     
  13. rodsky

    rodsky Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2003
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    Absolutely agree - its completely aerodynamics that will account for the difference.
     
  14. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
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    One difference is that the windshield rakes just slightly more and is about 1" shorter than the 550. If you will look at the framework around the windshield you will notice that it only goes up about 1/2 the way to the top of the windshield on the outside. A tall person will notice this as the field of vision is slightly decreased.
     
  15. Ekasilicon

    Ekasilicon Formula Junior

    Jan 21, 2003
    507

    My vote makes 3 of us. I would be floored if it was not aerodynamics/drag that kept its top speed down.
     
  16. Casey_A

    Casey_A Rookie

    Dec 31, 2003
    27
    Texas

    You will always see top speeds listed as such:

    Gear limited
    Electronically limited or
    Drag limited

    I believe the massive amount of drag caused by an open top would account for that loss of 12 or so mph.

    Infact I am certain of it.
     
  17. marcos

    marcos Formula 3

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    Okee, so the combination of aerodynamics/drag is the main cause…

    …in fact I could have thought about it myself. I just thought the top speed difference was too big, so there had to be another reason.
    I think they did stiffen the chassis, but the weight is the same, because they “cut-off” the roof. Barchetta and Maranello both weight 1690 kg.

    I only have one question left; does the 550 have a single plate clutch or twin-plate clutch?

    By the way, nice site you got there Alain.
     
  18. TimN88

    TimN88 F1 Veteran

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  19. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

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  20. davequick

    davequick Formula Junior

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  21. F1racer

    F1racer F1 Rookie

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    LOL yeah ..wrong word
     
  22. F1racer

    F1racer F1 Rookie

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    When the top is on you could only reach a topspeed of 68 mph.
     
  23. labcars

    labcars Formula 3
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    Jan 22, 2003
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    Willis - I thought the conversion company converted 550 coupes into spyders? Do you recall their website?

    Just to be clear----I AIN'T CHOPPIN' THE TOP OFF MY BEAST!!
     
  24. Willis360

    Willis360 F1 Rookie

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  25. Willis360

    Willis360 F1 Rookie

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