We have Luca Cordero di Montezemolo to thank for the existence of the Ferrari 550 Maranello, arguably among the most beautiful and best-driving modern-era Prancing Horses of them all. You see, in 1996, after 23 years of mid-engined twelve-cylinder flagship Ferraris, he quite rightly pointed out that a front-engined Gran Turismo – built in the same vein as the marque’s greatest 1960s berlinettas such as the 250 and the ‘Daytona’ – would prove more practical for customers looking to actually use their cars. And he was absolutely right. Pininfarina’s Lorenzo Ramaciotti was employed to style the new car. Ferrari encouraged the history-steeped design studio to channel its greatest models of yesteryear. The prominent 250 GT SWB-like bonnet scoop, 275 GTB-inspired gills aft of the front wheels and 365 GTB/4-esque rear end were certainly not implemented by accident. Needless to say, the leather-festooned cabin was similarly sumptuous and well-equipped. “The 480bhp 5.5-litre V12 is nothing short of a masterpiece, delivering unctuous, unwavering power and torque right through the rev range.” As exquisite as the Ferrari 550 Maranello is to look at, it is – amazingly – even better to drive. The taught, dynamic and genuinely exploitable handling defies the size and weight of the car. The open-gate gearbox is every bit as good to operate as you’d imagine. And the 480bhp 5.5-litre V12 is nothing short of a masterpiece, delivering unctuous, unwavering power and torque right through the rev range. Naturally, it sings a very sweet song, too. Chassis no. 113266 The immaculate right-hand-drive Ferrari 550 Maranello presented here – chassis number 113266 – was delivered new to the United Kingdom on 12 September 1998, via the Loughborough Ferrari concessionaire Graypaul. The striking specification was nothing if not bold. Traditional Rosso Corsa paintwork with an interior trimmed entirely in Beige, including the steering wheel, dashboard, A pillars and roof, all of which were optional extras. Darker Castoro carpets and Rosso stitching provide a subtle contrast to the enticing swathe of beige. There are two key strands to this Ferrari’s appeal: the condition and the service history. Both are superb and a testament to the care and diligence of the car’s short list of owners. There are 15 recorded stamps from official Ferrari dealers here in the UK – so many, in fact, that a second Ferrari service book was sourced to log the most recent maintenance. Crucially, the service history authenticates the mere 23,850 miles that show on the car’s odometer. And that mileage is commensurate with the overall condition of chassis 113266, which is nothing short of exceptional. Save for a handful of tiny stone chips on the leading edge of the bonnet, the paintwork is flawless. Beneath the bonnet the engine bay is remarkably clean, with all its factory stickers present and intact. Inside, the blemish-free Beige leather upholstery has stood the test of time, retaining that sumptuous gloss. Everything is functional and working, too, including the air-conditioning – essential for those cross-continental road trips nearer the equator. Accompanying this Ferrari is all the factory paraphernalia you’d expect from a car with such provenance: the leather pouch containing the factory manuals, warranty and service booklets, the complete tool kit and the puncture-repair kit. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is also a file comprising a wealth of accompanying invoices and MOT certificates.