The Ferrari F50 is sometimes seen as the runt of the prestigious Italian stable, somehow falling short of people’s expectations. In truth the Ferrari F50 is an incredible machine, and one that deserves far more respect than it gets. Maybe it’s time to start loving one of the most advanced supercars of the 1990s?
Ultimately, the Ferrari F50 had an impossible task on its hands. This new supercar succeeded one of the most iconic automobiles to ever grace Tarmac – the F40. Serving as the final car Enzo Ferrari himself signed off, this twin-turbocharged V8 machine was more racer than road car. As if that wasn’t enough to forge a legend, the F40 was also the first production car to eclipse 200mph.
History also sandwiched the F50 with another Ferrari great in the form of the Enzo. Named after the marque’s founder, this supercar brought F1 technology to the road. Its naturally aspirated V12 engine fitted the bill as a Ferrari flagship, but its advanced aerodynamics and lightweight construction was all motorsport DNA. With the Enzo so celebrated, the F50 was forgotten by some. However, if you look at the open-top supercar in isolation, it quickly reveals itself as an all-time great.
The F50s heart is something truly special, with this 4.7-litre V12 engine developed from that found in a Ferrari 641. If you’re unfamiliar with that car, we’ll forgive you – it’s an F1 machine after all! That’s right, this supercar technically feature an engine more closely connected to Formula 1 than any other. 512bhp was yours to deploy along with a screaming engine note. This incredible motor was connected to the rear wheels via a manual transmission.
Ferrari’s F50 supercar was also quite forward thinking with its extensive use of carbon fibre and pushrod suspension. Plenty of lessons learned in F1 transitioned to the packaging of this car, something that is immediately apparent when opening the rear clamshell. It shared a wind tunnel with its racing brethren to ensure an even distribution of downforce and stability at speed.
Speaking of speed, the F50 was a notable step-up from the illustrious F40. It would crack 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds vs the F40s 4.2 seconds, although it could only match its forefather’s 201mph top speed. Over a lap the F50 was a far more precise weapon than any Ferrari before it.
Just 349 examples of the Ferrari F50 were produced between its launch in 1995 and the final car leaving Maronello in 1997. This actually makes it one of the rarest Ferraris ever produced, something that’s amplified by a factor of four when compared with F40 production numbers.
It has taken a couple of decades, but the Ferrari F50 is just starting to get the recognition it deserves. As the shadow recedes, and its unique nature is brought to light by modern cars that just can’t compete for theatre, values are starting to creep upwards. There have always been collectors keen to attain an F50 to complete the F40, F50 and Enzo set, but the supercar’s demand is increasing beyond that.
How much do you think a mint condition F50 is worth today? £700,000? £1 million? We’re well past that point with a car selling in California, USA during 2019 for $3 million, or just shy of £2.2 million. The year before a higher mileage car had the hammer fall at £1.5 million. Clearly the trend is upwards when it comes to Ferrari F50s at auction – quite right, too.
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Keyword: Why you should stop hating the Ferrari F50