Ferrari 550 Maranello - Comfort, Style and a Healthy Dose of Speed

Jump in and take a ride with Michael in his Ferrari 550 Maranello. Listen to the stories of how the car came to be and learn a little about the 550 Maranello while your at it.

This has been over a year in the making, but the time has finally come for the first Pilot episode for The Cultured Car.

0:00 - Opening
0:31 - Finding Clarity
1:52 - Intro
2:33 - The Feeling
3:28 - The Dynamic of the Ferrari 550
4:42 - Car Introduction & Specifications
6:58 - The Hunt for a Unicorn
9:18 - The Turning Point in Ferrari
11:39 - The History of the 550 Maranello & Driving
13:17 - Credits

[AarmOZ]

I was stationed at Naval Weapons Station, Charleston years ago so I recognized some of the roads. Honestly, Ferrari 550 Maranello is my dream car and this one was very well kept by someone who seems to be a true collector and enthusiast. I love how this car marked the return of the proper grand touring car that was both fun and practical.

[adrianhetmanski]

One of the last truly beautiful Ferraris. And round back stop lights like a proper sports car.

[bibekkumarpatro]

What a well composed video doing justice to one of the Ferrari's best pininfarina designed grand tourer💛. Thanks for compiling this video!

[campbellgray]

The design on this car is burnt into my mind from the Playstation One game Need for Speed : High Stakes. Really loved the design of this car because of this game along with many other great cars of the era. I think the rear end is one of the most timeless examples of excellent proportionality.

[RogerAdshead]

The more times I watch this accurate, understated, and personal account of the 550 Maranello, the more I like it. Thanks Michael. Nailed it...absolutely!

[lucchenzo]

Most beautiful, styling car from modern era by far, and more in this particular spec, is perfect 👌

[Rasscasse]

Hello Michael and team
I’m so glad this came up as a suggested watch for me, after watching Iain Tyrrell and Harrys Garage in the UK.
I really enjoyed your presentation.
No shouting, no hyperbole, no look at me exaggerated synthetic arm movements, just a guy talking calmly and engagingly about his car.
I don’t own one and never will, so I admire them from afar.

This car was the first Ferrari that I found desirable.
Previous stuff I was too young and silly to really notice but I remember reading a review of this in Car Magazine and Iooking at the pictures of this elegant yet purposeful shape.
I was never a sports car fan, though I used to pretend to be at one time, but actually what I really like is a nice four-door saloon or a nice grand tourer. A nice shape with an interesting engine and pleasing and useful interior.
This 550 is a beautiful GT and fulfils the remit perfectly.
Being honest, I thought I was over them now, but watching this has reignited the flickering flame of desire to be near one.
A few years ago, I used to drive to Italy for work and sometimes found myself around Modena and Maranello . I used to hope to see and hear a Grand Tourer out on test, but it felt special just to be able to drive past the Ferrari factory front gate.
But only because of the 550. I didn’t desire anything else they had back then.
They have produced some handsome GTs since though haven’t they!
Theres something about the 550 though. As I say, it is elegant and purposeful but I also think it looks approachable and friendly and not intimidating, to both driver and pedestrian.

Thanks to you and your team for the content quality of presentation and thoughts it has evoked.
Bravo.

[robertcomella]

Im a huge fan of this era ....love the 550 and 575... I currently have an FF and love it but I'm looking to add a 550 or 575 as well....I love the rarity of the v12 Ferrari's and the class and elegance of them over the mid engine cars....they are much more useable and enjoyable in my opinion

[jordanmascarenhas]

Fantastic video. Brought back memories of my father’s 2000 Grigio titanium/Bordeaux spec 550 Maranello. My favorite characteristics were it’s perfectly weighted and communicative power steering. Scalpel-like precision! That clink of each gear shift will remain with me forever. Love the fact that there was always torque in every gear and the rear tires could never keep up, even with fresh ones. The clutch was a bit heavy, but par for the course at the time. The black plastic material that Ferrari used for the radio and center stack buttons were a joke. Melted in your hands after just a couple years. Always had black hands after a drive. This and the Porsche 928 GTS (final iteration with the 911 turbo-like wide body) were my very favorite automotive designs of all time. Truly timeless.

[paolovarotto]

Beautiful video and beautiful car, congratulations!! I am a lucky owner of a 550 equal to yours, and I fully agree with everything. The only thing I allowed myself to change on my Ferrari is the exhaust system to have a more aggressive V12 tone…. otherwise it is a unique super grand tourer!

[jaimerodriguez]

These are the kind of Ferraris I like. Exotic day drive, but not too exotic, sporty.
Clean sexy powerful, blends in until you notice it then it stands all the way out.
If I could have one daily drive, it would be this one.

[ozeskiman]

Excellent commentary on one of the great Ferraris. I've had my 575M for 8 years and love it. Never get tired of taking it out for a drive. So easy to drive slow in town but on a twisty mountain road it comes alive. It has all the past elements of the great Ferraris from the 50s and 60s. A true classic. And a bargain these days. Just over 2, 000 575M cars and 3, 000 550s.

[patrikfogelstrom]

This is by far the greatest review of a 550 I have ever seen. A down to earth review, very passionate but still very accurate and objective in its description . I'm the lucky owner, since 21 years, of a 550 Maranello (Schumacher Edition), and have enjoyed every single moment. (Although, I must admit, the regular service bills are no joke...)

[autofanaticcars]

Great video i miss my 550 Maranello now have F355 GTB. These older generation Ferraris are so special to own and drive. Some of the best designs of the 90s

[MrReese]

This is my favorite Ferrari by far, the design is just timeless and beautiful from every angle, which is very difficult to achieve. If I ever had the money and wanted a Ferrari this is the one I would get, I just love luxury grand tourers.

[thracorr]

That video give me some NFSIII Hometown vibes❤❤❤

[thomas]

One of the best reviews of the 550 - really brings all the emotions, but also the practical sides to the point in a very personal, still quiet manner. Owning a 550 as well, I agree to every word (luckily my spec is exactly what I would have opted for - but that's pure coincidence, as I approched the search exactly like you did). Congrats to that epic car!

[aldo]

Glad I found this video, so elegantly made.

[redtesta]

great video, perfect music and knowledgeable owner.

[zk]

Never owned a 550 but i had a 575 f1 for a number of years which i loved. It’s the quintessential grand tourer. Always dreamed of having one with a gated shifter. And this video only reinforces how much i want one. Great video. Hope to see more.