The Ferrari Superamerica was born out of the Italian marque’s reinvention of one of its key platforms. In the early-1990s, engineers at Maranello set about designing a new two-seater grand tourer model built around a front-mounted V-12 engine, leading to the introduction of the attractive Pininfarina-designed 550 Maranello in 1996. This laid the foundations for its successor, the 575M, from which the Superamerica was heavily based. These popular coupé models were lauded for their comfort, handling and stylish design, yet Ferrari customers yearned for an open-top driving experience true to the Prancing Horse badge. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina filled a gap, but was limited to warm weather drives unless customers opted for the separate hardtop. Ferrari engineers had better ideas still.

In 2005, Ferrari introduced the Superamerica. Visually, it was almost identical to its 575M coupé sister model, save for one key feature. The specially designed, retractable hardtop roof set the Superamerica apart as a coupé by Ferrari that could quickly transform into a convertible. Built out of carbon fibre and electrochromic glass materials, the “Revocromico” rotating roof can be activated at the flick of a switch, while in coupé form and with the panel in place, the transparency can also be adjusted between its lightest clear and darkest opaque settings. With the roof open, the panel stows away neatly behind the seats, affording both driver and passenger the best of both worlds whether opening up to the sun’s rays or shielding from the elements.

Of course, as with any Ferrari powered by a V-12 engine, the Superamerica was praised not only for its clever styling, but its on-the-road characteristics and handling set it apart. The drivetrain was based on that of the 575M, while the version installed in the Superamerica boasted a higher-output version of Ferrari’s then-flagship 5.7-litre V-12 by modifying the flow rate of the intake tracts and relieving back pressure in the exhaust system. Official factory figures claim this made for 532 horsepower at 7,250 rpm, and torque remained an impressive 434 ft-lb at 5,250 rpm. At the time, Ferrari marketed the Superamerica as the world’s fastest convertible, rating its top speed at an impressive 199 mph.

This example, finished in Rosso Scuderia over a Nero leather interior with red stitching, was delivered to its first owner in January 2006, via the Turin-based Ferrari dealer, Forza. The first custodian of this car was Alberto Garnerone, residing near Turin, and reputedly an overseer of a comprehensive Ferrari collection. It is said that Mr. Garnerone’s collection exceeded 300 Ferrari models—with the Superamerica staking its claim as a rare entity, as one of only 559 made—and it is thought that this car remained in his ownership up to his death in 2008.

The consigning owner, residing in Bavaria, Germany, acquired this Ferrari in October 2011. Accompanying paperwork states that the car was serviced by Autohaus Saggio, the official Ferrari service centre near Würzburg, Germany, in April 2012, at which point the odometer reading was noted at 7,995 km. In March 2022, the car was subject to €6,119.69-worth of maintenance work at Mertel Italo Cars Nürnberg, the official Ferrari centre, with a new timing belt fitted, further to general servicing and four new tyres. At the time of this service, the odometer read 12,597 km. The Superamerica is offered for sale with a car cover, leather folio containing selected printed Ferrari literature, leather toolkit, and two sets of keys. The car is currently fitted with an aftermarket Blaupunkt stereo unit that features satellite navigation, while a spare Becker head unit is included in the sale.

As with so many of the most collectable supercars, the Superamerica is celebrated for its all-around ability—whether against the clock on a circuit or on a long road trip, with the top down or top up—and this example awaits its next owner for its next chapter.