Japan Launch for the 550 barchetta
by Michitake Isobe
9.2.01

The Ferrari importer for Japan is Cornes & Co. Ltd, a trading company founded in 1861 by an Englishman, Frederick Cornes and originally located in Yokohama. Cornes has been the authorized dealer since 1977 and their latest presentation is the 550 barchetta Pininfarina that was announced at the Paris Salon only four months earlier.

The car exhibited at the press announcement today was finished in Giallo Modena; a pleasant surprise in a nation where many still consider the color red as the only color for Ferrari. The interior in black is very nicely done and one can notice the quality of the recent production cars from Maranello even in such places as the trunk where the black carpet has a high quality finish.

Some of the more interesting technical details were announced. Body strength for the barchetta body was realised by fortifying the front bulkhead and A pillar, which by the way stops half way up the windshield. The F50 type roll bar is now an integrated part of the chassis giving additional strength.

The increase in weight is said to be about 50 to 60 kg over the 550 Maranello. This seems reasonable when considering that the 360 spider is heavier than the 360 Modena by similar figures. Aerodynamics took a small toll as well with the Cd announced at 0.41 for the barchetta, compared with 0.33 for the 550 Maranello with the coupe body.

There will be a top for the 550 spider in the future. While a sample has not reached these shores in the Far East, it is said to be similar to those for the F50, at least in function. The F50 top is described as an umbrella by the Factory and it seems to be more "impromptu" on the latest Ferrari. It is planned to be a soft top that can be buttoned on when the climate suddenly changes; something very temporary that can be stored inside the car during sunny weather. One thing that may be said is that it certainly seems in keeping with the character of the car: a barchetta.

Of the total production of 448 cars planned at Maranello, 24 cars have been allocated for Japan with the actual sales beginning early spring 2001. The Sales Director underlined the fact that one should call him ASAP if one is to secure one priced at 152,500 pound Sterling. It will be interesting to see how a "topless" Ferrari will do in a nation where coupes and berlinettas are prefered.

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