Ferrari 500 Superfast
The 500 Superfast was Ferrari’s flagship tourer that took off from where the 400 and 410 Super America series ended. It was Ferrari’s ideal cruiser with a large-displacement V12 and ample cabin space. Twice as expensive as the more sporting 275 GTB, these cars were seldom ordered and only produced at a rate of two per month by Pininfarina.
Bare chassis were sent to Pininfarina’s workshop in Turin to be fitted with bodies and interiors. The body was fashioned in steel and was an updated version of the Aerodynamico shape first fitted to the Ferrari 400 range. It had an oval grill, protruding fenders and twin bumpers which were later adopted to Ferrari’s entire range. What set this car apart was its unique rear end with an unusually long overhang that included a semi-fastback trunk and rear Kamm tail. Despite the enormous size, the grace of these elements made the design more elegant than the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 and 365 GT 2+2 which came afterward.
Inside, the passengers got a large greenhouse, adjustable seats, Connolly leather, a large luggage platform, fluted headlining, teak veneers and a wooden dash with a impressive spread of gauges.
To further distinguish the Superfast from Ferrari’s 330 GT 2+2, a new Tipo 208 SOHC engine was designed by Colombo that displaced five liters. It produced 400 bhp which was more than ample for the heavy body, powering the car to 174 mph (280 kph). This was attached a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The chassis were borrowed from the 330 GT 2+2 line.
Only 25 Series I Superfasts were constructed due to the enormous price and intricate detail work required from Pininfarina. First owners included Prince Bernard of the Netherlands, Shah Reza Pahlevi, Johnnie von Neumann, Colonel Ronnie Hoare and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. An additional 11 ‘second series’ cars were made in 1967.
Pictures
1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast Gallery
See full 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Limited Production Car |
| production years | 1964 – 1967 |
| released at | 1964 Geneva Motor Show |
| built at | Turin/Maranello, Italy |
| body stylist | Pininfarina |
| coachbuilder | Pininfarina |
| predecessor | 1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I |
| successor | 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC |
| engine | Tipo 208 V12 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Aluminum |
| valvetrain | SOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 3 Double Choke 40 DCZ/6 Webers |
| displacement | 4963 cc / 302.9 in³ |
| bore | 88 mm / 3.46 in |
| stroke | 68 mm / 2.68 in |
| compression | 8.0:1 |
| power | 298.3 kw / 400.0 bhp @ 6500 rpm |
| specific output | 80.6 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 285.71 bhp per tonne |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| front tires | 205×15 |
| rear tires | 205×15 |
| front brakes | Dunlop Discs |
| rear brakes | Dunlop Discs |
| curb weight | 1400 kg / 3086 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2650 mm / 104.3 in |
| front track | 1397 mm / 55.0 in |
| rear track | 1389 mm / 54.7 in |
| length | 4820 mm / 189.8 in |
| width | 1780 mm / 70.1 in |
| height | 1280 mm / 50.4 in |
| transmission | 4 or 5 Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.536:1, 1.700:1, 1.256:1, 1.000:1 |
| top speed | ~280 kph / 174.0 mph |
Auction Sales History
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast 6049SF – sold for $3,025,000 Originally sold to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and later became part of the Pierre Bardinon collection. Parted from the Mas du Clos collection in 1999 with 65,000 km original miles. Restored by Wayne Obry’s renowned Motion Products, inc. (MPI), in Neenah, Wisconsin in dark blue with red leather upholstery. Shown in the Ferrari Grand Touring Class in August 2014 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast 5985 – sold for $1,980,000 A Connoisseur’s Ferrari. One of Only 36 Examples Built. Rare Early-Production Features. Impressive Show History and Provenance. Single-Family Ownership from 1966 to 2013. Believed to Be a Genuine 13,500-Mile Example. Beautifully Preserved Original Interior. Ideal Entrant for Exclusive Tours and Rallies. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Offered for Public Sale for the First Time Since New. Auction Source: Gooding & Company’s 10th Anniversary 2013 Pebble Beach Auction
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast 6049SA – sold for $1,100,000 One of Only Thirty-Six 500 Superfasts. Exceptional Provenance with Only Five Owners from New. Very Original, Matching-Numbers Example. Beautifully Preserved Original Interior. Less than 65,000 Original Kilometers (Approximately 40,000 Miles). Offered with Complete Tool Kit and Records. Recently Serviced by Paul Russell and Company. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Auction Source: 2012 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast 6659SF – sold for €747,040 One of only eight Superfasts built in right-hand drive. Matching numbers and Ferrari Classiche certification with an extensive history file. Very late Series I example with five-speed gearbox and A/C. The only example originally equipped with rear seats. Less than 13,200 miles from new. Auction Source: 2011 London Auction by RM
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series I 5989SF – sold for $935,000. The seventh 500 Superfast out of only 36 units built. Original left-hand drive, US-delivery example. Stunning restoration of a matching-numbers car. Beautifully presented in superb color combination.
1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast – did not sell for $514,350. One of only eight Superfasts built in right-hand drive. Matching numbers and long-term current ownership. Very late Series I example with five-speed transmission. Fully restored by Terry Hoyle with service by Bob Houghton.
In the 1980s, it was owned by A.J.M. Van der Lof of Holland and changed ownership in England before being fully restored by marque specialist Terry Hoyle in the late 1980s. The car was finally acquired by the current long-term owner in 1993. A devoted racing and sports car enthusiast, she has had the car maintained and serviced by Ferrari authority Bob Houghton with recent work including a top-end engine overhaul and full service.The offering of a 500 Superfast of this calibre is a rare occurrence indeed and a unique opportunity for the true connoisseur. These cars are rarely brought to auction, and they were and remain one of Ferrari’s finest Gran Turismos. Chassis 6661 SF combines all the elements of desirability tifosi look for – a specialist restoration, superb colour combination and a matching-numbers original engine with a five-speed transmission. In the realm of ultra-exclusive Ferrari ownership, the 500 Superfast stands virtually alone as the company’s crowning achievement in Gran Turismo production. Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast 8565SF – sold for $1,127,500. One of the last of the 36 Superfasts built, delivered new to John von Neumann. Air conditioning, power windows and power steering. The current owner acquired the car in 2008 and has driven the car less than 400 miles since Paul Russell finished preparing the car for the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Offered in outstanding restored condition, the car comes with a comprehensive dossier of information including receipts and records of the restoration totaling over $280,000 as well as all its books and tools. The current owner has recently had mechanical work completed at Francorchamps of America and Ferrari Beverly Hills, and the car is on the button and ready to be driven. Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey
1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast 6049SA – sold for $814,000. The current owner purchased this car around a decade ago. At that time, the car was wearing its original paint which was in need of restoration. Great lengths were taken to carefully disassemble the car before it was painted the original color.
In 2005, the car was given a thorough mechanical overhaul. The engine was removed and rebuilt to factory specifications utilizing new pistons, rings and valve guides. The crankshaft was balanced, as was the flywheel and a new clutch assembly was installed. There were no limitations on cost or time; the work was done correctly with much attention to detail.
The inside has been lovingly persevered and is entirely original. The black leather is in good condition, and every gauge, material and finish is just as it was when the Ferrari was delivered to its original owner, Price Sadruddin Aga Khan in 1965. This car has had only four owners since new with the odometer reading less than 65,000 original kilometers. Auction Source: Gooding & Company 2010 Amelia Island Auction
