Ferrari launched the 575M Maranello in 2002, with the Superamerica unveiled in 2005 as its Convertible variant. Our feature Ferrari is a first-year Superamerica that is in as-new condition. This is understandable because it has a mere 686 kilometers (426 miles) showing on its odometer. It is ideal for enthusiasts seeking perfection and is listed here at Girardo & Co. in England. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Araknid78 for spotting an Italian thoroughbred that could be yours for £348,000 (US$424,800).

Okay, it’s confession time. While I have a passion for Ferraris, I don’t think that the 575 was the most attractive car to emerge from the Maranello factory. If you offered me the choice between this one and a 458 Italia, the latter would win hands down. However, as one of the final vehicles penned by Lorenzo Ramaciotti before he retired from Pininfarina, it is historically significant. Red is the iconic Ferrari paint shade, but this car breaks the mold, courtesy of its Grigio Ingrid Metallic. It is a soft and subtle shade ideal to highlight the 575’s standing as a genuine Grand Tourer. Faulting its presentation is seemingly impossible, which is understandable due to its odometer reading. The seller notes a couple of small spots of peeling clear, but since they aren’t on exterior surfaces, they don’t detract from the car’s presentation. There are no other chips, marks, panel issues, or rust. The beautiful 19″ wheels are perfect, but the roof is the star of the show. Ferrari adopted what it termed a “Revochromic” roof. This monochromatic glass panel pivots automatically to lay flat across the rear deck, providing a wind-in-the-hair motoring experience.

I have a wonderful National Geographic documentary on my computer that charts the build process of the 575. The attention to detail makes the high sticker price understandable, but it is the engine casting and assembly that is eye-opening. Sand-casting aluminum alloy is nothing new, but it is the company’s approach that left me shaking my head. A technician inspects each piece of the mold, removing any minor imperfections with a tiny file. Another person then runs a low-flame blowtorch across the mold, coating every surface with carbon that aids with release once the freshly cast pieces have cooled. The components are then x-rayed to spot imperfections, with any parts failing this test returned to the furnace to act as material for later castings. Once the 5.7-liter V12 engines are assembled, each is run up on a dyno to ensure that not only do they run perfectly, but generate the 540hp and 433 ft/lbs of torque quoted by the factory. What helps the 575 to stand apart is that Ferrari placed the beautiful V12 in the front, rather than adopting what has become its traditional mid-engine architecture. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a six-speed semi-automatic transmission. The journey down the ¼-mile will take 12.25 seconds, and its ability to hit 199mph made this the world’s fastest production Convertible upon its release. This car has a genuine 686 kilometers on the clock but has been meticulously maintained since Day One. It is said to run and drive perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition for the new owner.

The Ferrari’s interior is all that you might expect from a car of this caliber. The Cuoio leather is soft and inviting, free from wear and other issues. The carpet is spotless, as are the dash, pad, and remaining upholstered surfaces. The car features air conditioning, power windows, an upgraded factory stereo, and a gauge cluster dominated by a red-faced tachometer. The heavily contoured seats should hold occupants tightly if the driver decides to take it to the max.

This 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica F1 is a stunning car, but the price guarantees that the seller is pitching the vehicle to a limited market. The company only built 559 of these classics for worldwide distribution during its two-year production run. That makes the Superamerica extremely rare by any measure. Does that make it a sound long-term investment?  That call is impossible to make because some Ferraris fare better in the classic market than others. It represents a lot of money if someone is rolling the dice on investment potential, meaning that the new owner will probably be an enthusiast with a passion for the marque. Do you agree?