07/15/2026
No shields, rare Fiorano Handling Pack, Nero leather interior with Daytona seats, Argento Nürburgring exterior because that’s where the Ferrari 550 Maranello was launched in July 1996, the Nürburgring Circuit.
One of the greatest moments driving this exquisite V12 Ferrari? Ferrari GB use run its own driving club called Club Fiorano, run by the wonderful and sadly missed legendary GP driver Peter Gethin. The club use to hold small, private meets at various circuits including Brands Hatch.
The club supplied their own 360 F1 Ferraris with pro instructors. But you could pay more and take your own car on circuit with an instructor, which was the best.
As other drivers were changing over in the 360s I was out in the above 550 Maranello. We were using the full GP circuit at Brands, one of the truly great circuits. The instructor calmly spoke into the microphone and said:
“Concentrate and keep pushing hard but thought you’d like to know you are now alone on the GP Brands Hatch circuit”
The entire circuit, and into the woods, for just under 2 laps we were by ourselves.
Still vivid in my head as I write this, the 550 flew. More than 26 years later, it remains my greatest driving moment, because I had never owned a Ferrari until the 550 Maranello, and the experience that day was beyond any of my many dreams. Yes, the later cars in the stable are extraordinary but alone on the Brands Hatch circuit with an instructor pushing me hard, in this sublime 550, the last drive-by-cable manual transmission V12 Ferrari, was a dream realised, and some
I adore this car, one of the greats 🐎❤️🇮🇹
