2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello £199,950
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
England
City:
Near-flawless, and in rare last-of-its-kind spec, this beautifully slick example is worth investing in, reckons Sam Dawson
That iconic open-gated manual gearshift isn’t something you find on modern Ferraris, so anything sporting one nowadays carries serious collector appeal – especially when, as is the case with this 575M, only a minority were specified like that. The fact that it’s attached to a normally-aspirated V12 – another dying breed – adds to its appeal all the more.
According to its chunky service history file, this is one of only two 575Ms in this specification (Canna di Fucili metallic, right-hand drive, manual). Its service history runs from new to 2019, confirming the sub-18,000 mileage, with paperwork attesting to new cambelts and engine mounts in 2016. Annual MoT certificates show that this car has also passed each test first time without a single advisory – ever. It was regularly serviced at accredited Ferrari specialists until 2019, although the vendor assures us it will be supplied fully serviced to its new buyer.
Bodily, it’s excellent. There’s a slight ripple in the top of the rear rubber windscreen seal, and the vast bonnet stands ever so slightly proud on the passenger-side front corner when closed, but that’s a common issue with 550s and 575s. Its alloy wheels are all in perfect condition, and each one wears a Pirelli P-Zero tyre so new they still have rubber bobbles on their sidewalls. Under the bonnet it’s similarly spotless, apart from a small spot of surface corrosion on the metal attached to the chassis member on the driver’s side by the radiator.
Pull the driver’s door handle, and the windows drop correctly to equalise air pressure, winding themselves back up to their seals abruptly when closed. As with the exterior, the interior looks barely patinated, corresponding with the 17,360- mile odometer reading. The engine fires eagerly without fuss, and once it’s reached temperature both water and oil gauges sit at 70 degrees, with oil pressure at just over five bar. Correct and stable readings, in other words.
It drives very smoothly. Second and third gear are a bit baulky when the gearbox is still cold – a classic Ferrari trait – but on our test drive it quickly became slick and easy to swap ratios. Acceleration is urgent, and torque delivery seamless.
We only got it up to sixth gear briefly – the long upper ratios combined with the huge performance mean the top two are largely redundant away from a motorway – but there was no movement in the lever once slotted home in any ratio.
The ride is firm for a GT, supple for a supercar, and crucially didn’t generate any untoward noises from the suspension. It has a tendency to tramline on uneven roads – a result of low-profile tyres, rather than a fault with the car. Nearly £200k is strong but fair money for a 575M at the top of its game like this one. And the unusual colour, manual gearbox and almost as-new condition means you’re not likely to lose any of it in the long term either. Quite the opposite, judging by the demand for modernclassic manual Ferraris, highlighted in this issue’s cover feature.
CHOOSE YOUR FERRARI MARANELLO
A new breed of front-engined two-seater, the Ferrari 550 Maranello, was launched in 1996. It was based on the 456GT 2+2, and styled by Pininfarina’s Elvio d’Aprile.
575M (‘Modificata’) replaced the 550 for 2001, with enlarged 5.7-litre engine, revisions to the grille shape, and the option of paddleshift transmission.
Race-inspired GTC, with upgraded suspension, brakes and exhaust, was offered from 2005. It was accompanied by the folding-hardtop convertible Superamerica.
In 2006, just as the model was retired in favour of the new 599 Fiorano, Zagato announced an exclusive run of rebodied 550s and 575s. The last was completed in 2009.
TECHNICAL DATA 2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello
Price £199,950
Contact Slade’s Garage, Bucks (slades-garage.co.uk, 01494 812115)
Engine 5748cc V12, dohc per bank, fuel injection
Max Power 515bhp @ 7250rpm
Max Torque 434lb ft @ 5250rpm
Top speed 202mph
0-60mph 4.2sec
Fuel consumption 15mpg
Length 4550mm
Width 1935mm
A timeless shape, and almost unblemished
Extremely tidy, with a proper open H-gate 515bhp V12 ready for a Continental blast
That iconic open-gated manual gearshift isn’t something you find on modern Ferraris, so anything sporting one nowadays carries serious collector appeal – especially when, as is the case with this 575M, only a minority were specified like that. The fact that it’s attached to a normally-aspirated V12 – another dying breed – adds to its appeal all the more.
According to its chunky service history file, this is one of only two 575Ms in this specification (Canna di Fucili metallic, right-hand drive, manual). Its service history runs from new to 2019, confirming the sub-18,000 mileage, with paperwork attesting to new cambelts and engine mounts in 2016. Annual MoT certificates show that this car has also passed each test first time without a single advisory – ever. It was regularly serviced at accredited Ferrari specialists until 2019, although the vendor assures us it will be supplied fully serviced to its new buyer.
Bodily, it’s excellent. There’s a slight ripple in the top of the rear rubber windscreen seal, and the vast bonnet stands ever so slightly proud on the passenger-side front corner when closed, but that’s a common issue with 550s and 575s. Its alloy wheels are all in perfect condition, and each one wears a Pirelli P-Zero tyre so new they still have rubber bobbles on their sidewalls. Under the bonnet it’s similarly spotless, apart from a small spot of surface corrosion on the metal attached to the chassis member on the driver’s side by the radiator.
Pull the driver’s door handle, and the windows drop correctly to equalise air pressure, winding themselves back up to their seals abruptly when closed. As with the exterior, the interior looks barely patinated, corresponding with the 17,360- mile odometer reading. The engine fires eagerly without fuss, and once it’s reached temperature both water and oil gauges sit at 70 degrees, with oil pressure at just over five bar. Correct and stable readings, in other words.
It drives very smoothly. Second and third gear are a bit baulky when the gearbox is still cold – a classic Ferrari trait – but on our test drive it quickly became slick and easy to swap ratios. Acceleration is urgent, and torque delivery seamless.
We only got it up to sixth gear briefly – the long upper ratios combined with the huge performance mean the top two are largely redundant away from a motorway – but there was no movement in the lever once slotted home in any ratio.
The ride is firm for a GT, supple for a supercar, and crucially didn’t generate any untoward noises from the suspension. It has a tendency to tramline on uneven roads – a result of low-profile tyres, rather than a fault with the car. Nearly £200k is strong but fair money for a 575M at the top of its game like this one. And the unusual colour, manual gearbox and almost as-new condition means you’re not likely to lose any of it in the long term either. Quite the opposite, judging by the demand for modernclassic manual Ferraris, highlighted in this issue’s cover feature.
CHOOSE YOUR FERRARI MARANELLO
A new breed of front-engined two-seater, the Ferrari 550 Maranello, was launched in 1996. It was based on the 456GT 2+2, and styled by Pininfarina’s Elvio d’Aprile.
575M (‘Modificata’) replaced the 550 for 2001, with enlarged 5.7-litre engine, revisions to the grille shape, and the option of paddleshift transmission.
Race-inspired GTC, with upgraded suspension, brakes and exhaust, was offered from 2005. It was accompanied by the folding-hardtop convertible Superamerica.
In 2006, just as the model was retired in favour of the new 599 Fiorano, Zagato announced an exclusive run of rebodied 550s and 575s. The last was completed in 2009.
TECHNICAL DATA 2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello
Price £199,950
Contact Slade’s Garage, Bucks (slades-garage.co.uk, 01494 812115)
Engine 5748cc V12, dohc per bank, fuel injection
Max Power 515bhp @ 7250rpm
Max Torque 434lb ft @ 5250rpm
Top speed 202mph
0-60mph 4.2sec
Fuel consumption 15mpg
Length 4550mm
Width 1935mm
A timeless shape, and almost unblemished
Extremely tidy, with a proper open H-gate 515bhp V12 ready for a Continental blast