With only 349 production models ever created, this local Ferrari F50 sale to foreign shores by Prestige Marques means that the iconic V12 Prancing Horse model is now limited to only two in South Africa.
When it comes to listing analogue supercars, the Ferrari F50 has the ability to rival the likes of its predecessor; the F40 and the Gordon Murray-designed McLaren F1. A removable Targa-style top on this specific model, gated six-speed manual transmission and Maranello V12 makes it a recipe for perfection.
If that doesn’t make the blood-red F40 successor a highly sought-after item, its production run of only 349 units surely will. In the mid-1990s, three of the sonorous Ferrari supercars were designated for collectors in South Africa and at the time, their performance was almost unrivalled.
Powered by a 4,7-litre Tipo F130B V12 motor capable of 382 kW and 471 N.m, the Ferrari F50 could sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in only 3,7 seconds and onto its top speed of 325 km/h. Match all of these statistics to its feathery curb weight of only 1 230 kg and you have one of the most iconic and sought-after models to ever wear the Prancing Horse badge.
Dominik, owner of Prestige Marques who oversaw the sale stated that local collectors were approached first, prior to the vehicle being offered to buyers abroad. The highly limited Ferrari can fetch in the region of $3,5 million to $5 million (R60 million to R85 million) based on current market values – a sizable investment considering the model set the three local buyers back in the region of R2 million in the mid-1990s.
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This specific model was cared for by two owners in its life, the first being Leonard Smith who added it to his exclusive collection of Ferraris and was subsequently auctioned off to its second owner after his passing a decade ago. Considering it has only accumulated a total of 5 420 km over its nearly 30-year lifespan, it reaffirms the fact that a sighting of one of these cars on local roads is rare, even more so that only two remain in South Africa.