Listed for sale through RM Sotheby’s Sealed September, this 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina represents one of the marque’s most distinctive modern classics. Completed in October 2001, it is chassis number 263 of just 448 examples produced, combining limited production with Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V-12 and a six-speed gated manual transmission.
The Barchetta was conceived as an open-top counterpart to the 550 Maranello and introduced at the 2000 Paris Motor Show to celebrate Pininfarina’s 70th anniversary. Rather than simply removing the roof from the berlinetta, Ferrari gave the roadster a shorter, more aggressively angled windshield, distinctive rear deck, rollover hoops, revised bodywork, and racing-style seats. Its rudimentary soft-top was intended primarily for emergency weather protection, reinforcing the Barchetta’s uncompromising character as a purpose-built open-air grand tourer.
At its core is Ferrari’s 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12, producing approximately 485 horsepower and driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The combination delivers the mechanical immediacy that has become increasingly rare among modern collectible Ferraris, particularly in an open-top configuration.
This example is particularly notable for its Nero Daytona exterior paired with a Pelle Beige leather interior, a less-common specification than the Rosso Corsa finishes associated with many Barchettas. The odometer records just 5,504 kilometers, or approximately 3,420 miles, at cataloging.
Its provenance is equally compelling. Delivered new to Monaco, the Ferrari was subsequently maintained in Switzerland, including major service and timing-belt replacement at Sportgarage Leirer AG. Ferrari Classiche certification was awarded in December 2019, confirming the retention of its original chassis, engine, gearbox, and bodywork. The car was later enrolled in Ferrari’s Premium program and imported to the United States in 2026.
Accompanied by service invoices, manuals, Ferrari Classiche documentation, tool kit, car cover, and its soft-top, this low-mileage Barchetta enters the market with an estimate of $1.1 million to $1.4 million.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
