Looking to reinvigorate its 12-cylinder offerings and give a nod to its illustrious past, Ferrari introduced the 550 Maranello to great acclaim in 1996. The factory had been without a two-seat, front-engined V-12 coupe since the Daytona, and the 550 Maranello was lauded as a wonderful, if not overdue, successor to that iconic model. With grand touring once again a popular activity of Ferrari clientele, the 550 Maranello’s spectacular performance, spacious trunk, and rear parcel shelf that could carry enough luggage for two on a weekend road trip fit the bill perfectly.

Like the Daytona, the 550 Maranello’s success warranted the production of a limited-edition variant. First displayed at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, the 550 Barchetta, designed by Pininfarina. With only a rudimentary soft-top for emergency use when caught in the rain, it featured a shorter, more aggressively raked windshield, two-piece alloy wheels, racing seats, and a restyled rear deck that led to a trunk surprisingly larger than that of the coupe. Only 448 Barchettas were built, and they have become a “core” model for any Ferrari collection, due to their provenance and acclaimed gated-manual, open-top driving experience.

This well-presented example is number 351 of 448 built, as denoted by the cockpit plaque, and believed to be one of just 127 delivered new to the United States. Finished in the extremely rare and factory-correct color combination of Argento Nurburgring, complimented by Blu Scuro leather-trimmed carbon-fiber racing seats and matching carpets. The Blu Scuro color theme continues onto the upper dashboard, roll bar, and steering wheel, completing the tastefully specified cockpit. Delivered new to Ferrari of San Francisco in December of 2001, it would remain in California until 2004. Since then, the 550 has changed hands a limited number of times privately, before landing with its current owner in 2014.

Recent maintenance, including its annual belt service, was completed in July, and it now sports just 3,254 original miles. The Barchetta Pininfarina is accompanied by manuals in their leather pouch, a tool kit, a Ferrari car cover, and a copy of its window sticker. The opportunity to obtain any 550 Barchetta is rare; adding a low-mileage example in such an uncommon color combination is an undeniably enticing proposition for any burgeoning Ferrari collection.