550 convertible | FerrariChat

550 convertible

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by minatakin, Feb 6, 2004.

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  1. minatakin

    minatakin Rookie

    Dec 5, 2003
    38
    MD
    Full Name:
    B. Min
    #1 minatakin, Feb 6, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    LARRYH likes this.
  2. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    search the archives. lots of info on convertible 550s. very little experience, but all sorts of links and data.

    doody.
     
  3. minatakin

    minatakin Rookie

    Dec 5, 2003
    38
    MD
    Full Name:
    B. Min
    did a quick search before posting and didn't find anything on this car...
     
  4. Admiral Thrawn

    Admiral Thrawn F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2003
    3,932
    It's called the 550 Barchetta. Plug that name into your searches and you're bound to come up with something.
     
  5. minatakin

    minatakin Rookie

    Dec 5, 2003
    38
    MD
    Full Name:
    B. Min
    um... no, it's not the barchetta. the roll bars are missing and the boot is diff.
     
  6. Diablo

    Diablo Formula Junior

    It is one of 2 in the world.
    A fully operational convertible top.

    Done by Straman..

    PM me for more info..
     
    LARRYH likes this.
  7. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 28, 2003
    9,992
    Rocky Mountains
    Full Name:
    Bastuna
    Straman conversion, I think. It's a little pricey at $200k, IMO. Especially as a 1998.
     
  8. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
    Tauranga, NZ
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Far better looking IMO than the Barchetta ... what Ferrari should have built.

    Pete
     
  9. cabrio_fan

    cabrio_fan Formula Junior

    Mar 23, 2002
    262
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Michael Davidson
    Minatakin,

    Did you see this car in person? Is it on display somewhere? I'd love to get a closer look at a 550 cabrio.

    I've seen the Barchetta but I agree that this is the car that Ferrari should have build alongside the Barchetta! :) Why not? Option A: with a roof, Option B: roadster Barchetta, and Option C: fully operational soft top. Yeah!

    Mike
     
  10. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
  11. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 17, 2001
    33,014
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    Joe Mansion
    Where is this maranello for sale ?
     
  12. salegosse

    salegosse Formula Junior

    Dec 8, 2003
    711
    French Riviera
    Full Name:
    Julien
    sexy car.
     
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  13. minatakin

    minatakin Rookie

    Dec 5, 2003
    38
    MD
    Full Name:
    B. Min
  14. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
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    Mr. Doody
    i believe that car has been at BHCC forever.

    anybody in that area care to swing by and take some snaps and find out who did the conversion? i thought stramann (sp) was out of the biz by the time the 550 existed.

    doody.
     
  15. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 17, 2001
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    Joe Mansion
    I wonder how much the conversion costs..looks really good !
     
  16. Looks decent, but not safe in any way.
     
  17. scuderia47

    scuderia47 Karting

    Nov 5, 2003
    223
    Mainland
    Full Name:
    Bill

    i definately think that the barchetta is far better looking than this car. this convertable lost some of the lines in the back. when u look at a barchetta, the lines from the roll bars to the trunk are preserved. this is just an opinion though.

    as far as this is what ferrari should have bulit? well, if ur talking about maximizing sales...well yes they would have made a killing on this car. but maybe they're holding out to make a 575 spyder. but the barchetta is in no way trying to be a spyder. the 550 barchetta is suppose to represent what the 166MM barchetta is. a truely open air front engine V12. that was the car that made ferrari winning not only le mans, but the targa floria, and the milli mille (sp?). i believe that it was the only car to ever do that. but anyway, nothing represents the true roots of ferrari better than an open air front engine V12...and thats what the 550 barchetta is. as you can see, im a huge fan of the barchetta!
     
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  18. Diablo

    Diablo Formula Junior


    The car, if it is the same one I have seen, is now for sale in California.
    It was bought by a customer at Wide World of Cars and then sent out to Straman for the convertible top for about $100K(just for the conversion).
    Straman after delivery of the car, decided to not do the car market anymore. He was at the time doing VW's new bugs.

    As for when the car was done....
    It was about 1 year before the barchetta... the customer was shocked when he found out Ferrari was making one...
     
  19. rodsky

    rodsky Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2003
    1,601
    Los Angeles
    I think it looks better than the Barchetta. Its lines flow better.
     
  20. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 14, 2003
    60,788
    In front of you
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    BCHC
    That car has been popping up for sale for over 4 years.

    195K seem high but it is beautiful in person.

    DL
     
  21. F1racer

    F1racer F1 Rookie

    Oct 5, 2003
    4,749
    Laval
    Full Name:
    Jean
    In my opinion the 550 Barchetta looks better.
    Now It will be interesting to see if Ferrari will make a Spider version of the 550/575 replacement.
     
  22. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2002
    36,206
    houston/geneva
    Full Name:
    Ross
    i wonder what the top-up speed rating is on this car. straman does good work but what happens at 150mph+?
     
  23. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

    Jul 8, 2003
    2,531
    NYC
    Full Name:
    David
    I have seen this or a very similar car at WWoC over a year ago. It looks beautiful in person (much better than the Barchetta IMHO), but I was told from the mechanics about the Straman I was that the car had cowl shake and rattles.

    $200K is a LOT for a non-factory convertible.
     
  24. ChuckEBaby

    ChuckEBaby Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 7, 2003
    1,002
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Chuck
    Beautifully Car! Although I like the Barchetta, I hope they replace it with
    a more practical design that can be driven rain or shine, something more
    along these lines.
     
    LARRYH likes this.
  25. jenzo

    jenzo Karting

    Nov 9, 2003
    246
    LONDON
    Full Name:
    JENZO
    Interesting...........
     

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