FERRARI 500 SUPERFAST

The 500 Superfast made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March of 1964, replacing the 400 SA as the top–of–the–line Grand Touring Ferrari. At about double the price of a “production” Ferrari of the same era, the factory sales brochure voiced that this was a Ferrari for “sovereigns, performers and great industrialists.” Unlike the Bugatti Royale, to which it is often compared, the Superfast was popular with Ferrari’s wealthy clients, with 36 examples being sold and delivered over a time span of 28 months between the Geneva Auto Show and the last 500 Superfast delivery.

The Superfast was to be the last of the very limited production and, with their pricing, very exclusive coachbuilt coupes intended for very high speed touring. This tradition had begun with the 340 America, was continued with the 342 America and later still with the 375 America, all fitted with an ever–growing Lampredi–designed V–12. The 375 America was later replaced with the 4.9 litre Lampredi motor–powered 410 Superamerica, “the” Ferrari flagship until it was replaced with the Colombo–engined 400 Superamerica in 1960.

After introduction of the “production” 4–litre Ferrari 330 2+2 in 1963, the 400 Superamerica lost its large engine and effortless high–speed cruising exclusivity. Not wanting to waste the many lire of development that had gone into the Pininfarina–bodied 330 2+2, the 500 Superfast adapted many of the 330’s Type 571 chassis components, sharing the same basic frame, whellbase, front and rear track, front suspension components, brakes and shocks.

Although the 500 Superfast engine block was all new, designated Type 208, it shared many engine accessories with the Type 209 engine of the 330. With a bore of 88 mm and a stroke of 68 mm, this new engine displaced 4,963 cc and had an optimistic horsepower rating of 400 hp. Having owned and driven several of these cars, the author has found them to vary considerably from car to car in performance ranging from mundane to truly Superfast.

As the 330 2+2 evolved, so did the 500 superfast, with a five–speed gearbox, a diaphragm type clutch, a new “hanging pedal” brake and clutch mechanism with a much–improved brake master cylinder and brake power booster all being evolutionary updates. Air conditioning and power steering were also made available as extra options with the later “Series II” 500 Superfasts.

The Pininfarina body was sleek, elegant and uncluttered by excess decoration. Other than color preferences or cosmetic updates, such as the change from 11 vents in the front–fender louvers to three vents, there were few other variants in the various cars built other than two cars being ordered with covered headlights and several cars ordered with an assist allowing the driver to open the passenger door without leaving the driver’s seat. One car was delivered with extra front–mounted driving lights.

The 500 Superfast seems to have been aimed at the American and British markets, with 12 of 36 being delivered in the USA and eight R.H.D. cars and two L.H.D. cars going to England. Of the 36 cars built, two were destroyed in accidents, and all of the remaining 34 cars are accounted for today.

As with most coachbuilt Ferraris, owner loyalty is high with one car still with its original owner and many cars having the same owner for many years. These cars were well built with top–quality materials and excellent body fit. The Pininfarina bodies were well rust–proofed and “age” much better than the Scaglietti–built cars of the same period. Mechanically and electrically uncomplicated, they are relatively low maintenance to own and drive. Even today, they offer tremendous performance and exclusivity in the Ferrari world.

In the heady days of the late 1980s, 500 Superfasts traded hands at very high prices. Today’s prices are much more “user friendly”. As an example of both ends of the market, S/N 6033, a Series I car, sold to Europe for $800,000 in 1989. The same car recently traded hands and returned to the USA for a price well under $200,000, a relative bargain for a limited production coachbuilt example of Ferrari’s flagship of the 60's!

S/N 5951 SF. The prototype. L.H.D. Geneva Show Car. Entered Pininfarina 3 October 1963, job number 99580, completed 4 March 1964. Originally blu Italver 23132A paint, repainted by Pininfarina blu Italver 23900A, with avorio Bridge of Weir leather. Fitted with a raised hood. Sold new in Germany; then to Switzerland; to Belgium; back to Germany and now back to Switzerland.

S/N 5977 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 28 March 1964, job number 99581, completed 16 June 1964. Grigio argento Italver 20265A paint with rosso 3171 leather. Sold new to an American living in Switzerland. Sold to its present owner, a Swiss, in 1969 and still with him in Switzerland.

S/N 5979 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 28 March 1964, job number 99582, completed 8 July 1964. Oro chiaro Italver 20450A paint with nero 8500 leather. Sold new in California, USA. Crashed heavily including a roll–over, suffering serious damage, then restored. Remained in the USA until the late 1980s. Now in Europe.

S/N 5981 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 28 March 1964, job number 99583, completed 1 August 1964. Blu Italver 20295A paint with nero NR2 leather. 1964 Turin Motor Show car. Sold new in Italy, then in the 1970’s sold to England. Came to the USA in the late 1970's where it remains, awaiting restoration.

S/N 5983 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 28 March 1964, job number 99584, completed 9 December 1964. Rosso Italver 19948A paint with naturale 3309 leather. 1965 Brussels Motor Show car. Was in the USA by the early 1980’s. Now back in Europe.

S/N 5985 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 28 March 1964, job number 99585 completed 23 December 1964. Blu scuro Italver 20571A paint with marrone 3104 leather. 1965 Chicago Auto Show car. Still in the USA.

S/N 5989 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 28 March 1964, job number 99586, completed 12 January 1965. Azzurro Italver 20336A paint with celeste Flavia cloth interior, the only Superfast with cloth interior. Sold new in the USA, has remained in the USA ever since. Same owner for at least the last 17 years. Still in USA.

S/N 6033 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 17 April 1964, job number 99587, completed 26 January 1965. Grigio fumo Italver 20294A paint with nero NR2 leather. Motor no. 18 SA. First Superfast built with three air ducts in side fenders. Sold new through Auto–Becker to Germany. Sold to the USA in the 1970s. In the late 1980s sold to Switzerland, and in 1996 sold back to USA.

S/N 6039 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 17 April 1964, Job number 99588, completed 15 February 1965. Rosso corsa Italver 6504A paint with natural 3309 leather. Motor no. 20 SA. 1965 Geneva Show Car. Factory fitted with plexiglass headlight covers. Sold new through Filipinetti in Switzerland to Prince Karim (Ali Kahn’s son) for his brother Sur Ragim. Has been in the USA since the early 1970s. Featured in Cavallino No. 11.

S/N 6041 SA. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 17 April 1964, job number 99589, completed 16 Mar 1965. Giallo solare Italver MM13478 paint with nero NR2 leather. 1965 New York Auto Show Car. Sold new in the USA. In the USA since new and with the same owner since 1972.

S/N 6043 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 17 April 1964, job number 99590, completed 31 March 1965. Verde scurissta Italver 24488A paint with nero NR2 leather. Sold new by Maranello Concessionaires in England. Still with the original owner, 11,000 original miles. A one–owner Superfast!

S/N 6049 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 17 April 1964, job number 99591, completed 13 April 1965. Grigio argento Italver 20265A paint with nero NR2 leather. Motor no. 36 SA. Sold new to the Aga Khan. Destroyed in a crash in Italy. The engine is now in the USA as a spare for another Superfast, the car no longer exists.

S/N 6267 SA. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 6 June 1964, job number 99592, completed 6 Aug 1964. Verde pino Italver 20453A paint with naturale 3218 leather. Not a true 500 Superfast. Has a 500 Superfast type 578 chassis and Superfast body but fitted with a 330 2+2 Type 209 engine. Sold new to Prince Bernhard of Holland. 11 louvered fender vents and chromed air intake on hood. Bench type front seat, no rear seats. In the USA.

S/N 6303 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 1 July 1964, job number 99593, completed 23 April 1965. Blue notte Italver 20454A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Motor no. 30 SA. Sold new in England through Maranello Concessionaires. Now in the USA, with the same owner for some 18 years.

S/N 6305 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 1 July 1964, job number 99594, completed 14 May 1965. Nero Italver 20581A paint with naturale 3218 leather. Now fitted with add–on air conditioning. Sold new to Italy, came to the USA in the early 1970s. Sold back to Europe in the early 1990s, where it remains today.

S/N 6307 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 1 July 1964. job number 99595, completed 29 May 1965. Bianco Italver 20414A and blue stripe paint with marrone 3104 leather. Sold new to the USA where it remained for many years. Sold to Europe in the early 1990s, where it remains today.

S/N 6309 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 1 July 1964, job number 99596, completed 15 July 1965. Blu sera Italver 20264A paint with marrone 3104 leather. Factory delivered with plexiglass headlight covers. Sold new to Germany and still in Germany, with its second owner.

S/N 6345 SF. The first R.H.D. car. Entered Pininfarina 1 July 1964, job number 99597, completed 1 October 1965. Rosso cina Italver A20456S paint with nero NR2 leather. 1964 London Motor Show car. Destroyed in an accident, killing the driver. Car no longer exists, but the engine has been fitted to a 275 GTS.

S/N 6351 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 8 July 1964, job number 99598, completed 28 November 1965. Grigio argento Italver 20265A paint with nero NR2 leather. Sold new in England and still in England.

S/N 6605 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 26 October 1964, job number 99602, completed 8 August 1965. Grigio argento Italver 25090A paint with blue 3015 leather. Sold new to the Shah of Iran. Still in Iran?

S/N 6615 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 26 October 1964, job number 99603, completed 21 September 1965. Blu chiaro Italver 20295A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Motor No. 54 SA. Sold new to Germany. Now fitted with plexiglass headlight covers. Has been in the USA since at least the early 1970s. First in class and President’s Award 1989 FCA National Meet; shown at Pebble Beach 1996.

S/N 6659 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 26 October 1964, job number 99601, completed 4 September 1965. Grigio argento Italver 25090A paint with rosso Mercedes-type leather. Sold new in England, spent some time in Australia, now back in England.

S/N 6661 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 5 October 1964, job number 99599, completed 8 June 1965. Blu chiaro Italver 20295A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Sold new in England, has remained in England since new through a number of owners.

S/N 6673 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 6 October 1964, job number 99600, completed 22 July 1965. Blu Italver 23132A paint with naturale 3309. Sold new in England and still in England.

S/N 6679 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 26 October 1964, job number 99608, completed 30 September 1965. Nocciola Italver 20451A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Motor no. 52 SA. Sold new through Maranello Concessionaires to Peter Sellers. Still in England.

These last 12 cars are sometimes referred to as Series II cars because of the break in the serial numbers and the fact that almost all had the “late” features, including a five–speed transmission, air conditioning, and power windows.

S/N 7817 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 19 July 1965, job number 99612, completed 11 November 1965. Grigio argento Italver 25090A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Later repainted red. Sold new in the USA, where it remained until the early 1990s. Now in France.

S/N 7975 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 1 September 1965, job number 99613, completed 27 November 1965. Marrone Italver 20579A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Originally owned by the Shah of Iran. First car with air conditioning. Now in England, with the same owner for over 25 years. Featured in Ferrari, Le Stradili by Sergio Masasaro.

S/N 8019 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 14 September 1965, job number 99614, completed 22 December 1965. Blu sera Italver 20264A paint with grigio 3230 leather. 1966 Brussels Motor Show Car. In the USA by the early 1970s. With the current owner, still in the USA, for over 20 years.

S/N 8083 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 14 September 1965, job number 99615, completed 10 December 1965. Blu scuro Italver 25381A paint with blu 3015 leather. Sold new in the USA. At one time fitted with engine S/N 8565. Sat derelict for many years. Now being restored for Pebble Beach, with original engine. Still in the USA.

S/N 8253 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 3 November 1965, job number 99616, completed 20 January 1966. Blu sera Italver 20264A paint with blu 3015 leather. Sold new in the USA, where it remained for many years. Has air conditioning, power steering and power windows. Now in Germany.

S/N 8273 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 10 November 1965, job number 99617, completed 31 January 1966. Avorio Italver 20559A paint with nero NR2 leather. Has air conditioning and power windows, no power steering. Sold new in the USA and still in the USA.

S/N 8299 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 25 November 1965, job number 99618, completed 8 February 1966. Grigio argento Italver 25090A paint with rosso 3171 leather. 1966 New York Auto Show car. Fitted with large rallye clock in the glovebox door. Sold new in the USA and still in the USA.

S/N 8459 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 21 November 1965, job number 99620, completed 2 April 1966. Blu chiaro Italver 20295A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Sold new in England and still in England.

S/N 8565 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 25 November 1965, job number 99619, completed 1 March 1966. Blu sera Italver 20264A paint with grigio 3230 leather. New to John von Neumann, USA. Has air conditioning, power steering and power windows. At one time fitted with engine S/N 8083, now has original engine. Still in the USA.

S/N 8739 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 21 December 1965, job number 99622, completed 3 June 1966. Azzuro Italver 20336A paint with beige 846 leather. Has air conditioning, power steering and power windows. Sold new to the USA. With same owner, still in the USA, for over 20 years.

S/N 8817 SF. L.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 14 December 1965, job number 99621, completed 30 April 1966. Grigio argento Italver 25090A paint with nero NR2 leather. The last L.H.D. car. Has air conditioning, power steering and power windows. Sold new in the USA, where it remained until the early 1990s. Now in Europe.

S/N 8897 SF. R.H.D. Entered Pininfarina 21 May 1966, job number 99623, completed 1 August 1966. Avorio Italver 20559A paint with naturale 3309 leather. Sold new to Ronnie Hoare, CBE, the owner of Maranello Concessionaires. Totally restored. Now in Hong Kong.

Additional material provided by Marcel Massini and Gerald Roush. As always, any additions and/or corrections will be gratefully received.