Looking to reinvigorate their 12-cylinder offerings and give a slight nod to their illustrious past, Ferrari introduced the 550 Maranello to great acclaim in 1996. The company had been without a two-seat, front-engined V-12 coupe since the Daytona was discontinued in the early 1970s, and the 550 Maranello was lauded as a wonderful successor to that iconic model. This was a return to the company’s golden days of the 1960s, with spectacular performance and a trunk and rear parcel shelf that could easily swallow enough luggage for a week-long road trip for two.

After the success of the coupe, Ferrari quickly realized that there would also be a market for an open version, and they introduced the 550 Barchetta at the 2000 Paris Motor Show. It had a shorter, more aggressively raked windshield, three-piece alloy wheels, an aluminum fuel-filler door, and a restyled rear deck that actually offered more trunk space over the coupe. The Barchetta was a true roadster, fitted with racing seats and a soft-top only suitable for low-speed use—Ferrari’s way of telling their clients to have some fun in the sun. Only 448 Barchettas were built, and they have become a “core” model for any Ferrari collection that includes recent vintages.

Originally sold new to Monaco, chassis number 124293 was the 315th 550 Barchetta produced out of 448 examples built, and it was finished, as it is today, in traditional Rosso Corsa over beige leather, a fitting and very popular color combination for this limited-production Ferrari. Shortly thereafter, it was formally imported to the United States and seen at the Cavallino Classic in 2003. Later that year, the car relocated with a new owner from Florida to the Chicago area, allegedly with 200 miles on the odometer.

With a hair under 1,000 miles on its odometer when it was purchased by its current, Las-Vegas based custodian, it was immediately sent to Penske-Wynn Ferrari for a full service prior to delivery. There, the car’s cam belts were replaced, its “sticky” interior parts (a common yet easily remedied problem on all Ferraris of this era) were replaced, and four new tires were fitted.

Over the past five years, the 550 Barchetta has been well preserved and regularly enjoyed on the roads in the temperate Las Vegas spring and fall seasons. Its odometer currently shows just over 3,000 miles from new, which is reflected in its immaculate cosmetic and mechanical condition. Additionally, it is important to note that the car retains its original owner’s manuals, certificate of origin, and factory soft-top. In June 2015, the 550 Barchetta returned to Penske-Wynn Ferrari for an annual service, where it was confirmed to be ready to drive and enjoy in every respect. Included in the car’s file are receipts from its most recent service, the belt service in 2010, and services in April 2014, as well as a recent CARFAX.

Ferrari’s open 12-cylinder models have always been the most beloved to enthusiasts, and the 550 Barchetta is no exception. Offering exclusivity and a chance to hear the 550’s wonderful engine at full song with the wind flowing through your hair, motoring simply does not get much better than this.