Ferrari F50: probably the best Ferrari in history

Let's start by explaining the headline. The Ferrari F50 is the best cavallino of history… for brand purists. And what does that mean? Well, everyone will have their favorite Maranello model, but the fans more staunch They usually choose the F50 as the pinnacle of the brand. We are not only referring to the models considered classic, but also to those in which the electronics have not yet "intruded" to supplant the driver's own tasks, as began to happen in the Ferrari models - and in those of all brands - in the 90s. Obviously, we talk about street cars, because for the competition ones a separate chapter would have to be made.

The first thing to say is that The Ferrari F50 took the concept of the car to the extreme. F40, the car it replaced. What's more, after the race of the supercars that unleashed the Maranello brand and Porsche In the 80s, in Italy they decided to play a trick that no one else could handle like them: transfer the sensations of a F1 to a street car. Hence, a targa configuration was chosen for the car. Here the F50 began to lose the war, as fans expected a supercar that would rival its performance –especially at top speed– with the Jaguar XJ220, Bugatti EB110 and, particularly, the McLaren F1.

None of that happened, which left a trace of disappointment, despite the fact that what Ferrari presented at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show was practically a bodied Formula 1. Furthermore, his aesthetic was vaguely reminiscent of F40 for its rear spoiler, much better integrated, but the front never quite convinced. Too many people involved contributing ideas dirty a design that should have been cleaner. Or not, because seen live, it's a real beauty.

THE FERRARI F50 ENGINE

Apparently The inspiration behind its birth was Piero Ferrari, who would have been using a daily F40, which helped shape his opinion about the next sports car that the brand would have to present. He development of the Ferrari F50 It started as early as 1990, that is, five years before it was put on the market. Perhaps for this reason, its mechanics were inspired by the naturally aspirated V12 that the Scuderia equipped in its cars that season.

It was decided to mount conventional valves instead of the pneumatic ones used by the F1 engine. To ensure reliability, the speed was also limited to 8.500 revolutions, although maximum power was obtained 500 revolutions lower. It produced 520 hp, that is, only 42 more than the Ferrari F40, but it must be taken into account that it used two IHI turbos to reach its 478 HP. The specific power was 111 HP/liter, a real outrage for a naturally aspirated engine. The torque figure was also extraordinary: 471 Nm to 6.000 rpm.

Rear of the Ferrari F50.

Naturally aspirated V12 engine, as Ferrari standards dictate.

The Ferrari F50 engine has load-bearing functions.

The mechanical elements of the car in view.

This is one of the keys why Ferrari purists place the F50 above its predecessor, the atmospheric mechanics compared to the turbo engine of the F40. A propeller that, by the way, performed load-bearing functions, since both the gearbox and some elements of the suspension were anchored to it. This was basically like a Formula 1 car, since it had a sistem push rods with horizontal springs.

MAXIMUM SOPHISTICATION

The chassis also seemed to be inherited from the premier category, since It was made entirely of Cytec carbon fiber. At the front it had a subframe to which the suspensions and radiator were anchored. The point was to keep the weight under control, something that the aviation type flexible fuel tank. She was standing behind the cabin. By the way, although Ferrari did not give consumption figures, it does seem that our protagonist was a little less expensive than the F40, since its tank was 105 liters compared to the 120 of its predecessor.

The exterior design is the work of Pietro Camardella, with intervention by Lorenzo Ramaciottiboth in Pininfarina. Let us remember that Camardella had already signed the concept car Mythos, a barquetta with an integrated rear spoiler similar to that of the F50. However, later elements such as front turn signals were added to the proposed design, which detracted from its purity. On the contrary, the back offers a fantastic look, including a grille that reveals the engine. If we look at the rims, there is no doubt that they are among the most beautiful rims ever made Ferrari.

A spoiler inspired by the Mythos and that pays tribute to the F40.

The front of the F50 ended up being too busy.

The Scuderia Ferrari badge was reserved for off-the-beaten-track Ferraris.

With or without a roof, it is a beauty.

Regarding the configuration, it allowed it to circulate as a boat or as a targa. Yes indeed, If you removed the hardtop you had to store it at home., since it could not be transported in the car. Ferrari gave you a kind of case for its conservation. Besides, The Ferrari F50 was offered in different colors, while the F40 only left the factory in red. These included the Rosso Corsa (302 units sported this shade), Giallo Modena (31), Rosso Barchetta (8), Argento Nürburgring (4) and Nero Daytona (4).

RADICAL, BUT NOT UNCOMFORTABLE

Without being a waste of comforts, The F50 fled from the spartan environment offered by its predecessor. Logically, we are surrounded by carbon fiber, although it has some leather details and the upper part of the dashboard in suede to eliminate reflections, but at least we now have air conditioning. Ferrari gave a nod to modernity with a completely digital control panel using an LCD screen. Here the lucky driver is offered all the necessary information: speed, regime, gauge, gear engaged or water and oil temperatures.

It preserves another detail that delights purists of the brand, such as the classic H-grid to insert the gears, up to six in this case. Therefore, the grille has an extra lane with respect to the five-speed changes. It does not have electronic aids, not even ABS, since braking is relied on 335 mm Brembo ventilated discs with four-piston aluminum calipers. On the contrary, it does equip an electronic suspension control system.

It's not nearly as spartan as the F40.

When steering wheels were only used to turn...

The digital painting adds a touch of sophistication.

Six-speed manual transmission.

F50 emblem on the dashboard.

In short, sitting in the cabin of the Ferrari F50 You only have your hands and your feet to try to tame the beast. In this case, and again compared to the F40, it is not a car that will continually try to take you off the road, but rather its character is slightly more docile. The announced performance of 325 km/h and 3,78 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill turned out to be disappointing, as Ferrari was expected to launch a rival to the McLaren F1. In any case, he achieved his goal of bringing the sensations of a Formula 1 to the street, although that was impossible to explain in the catalogues.

THE PRODUCTION OF THE FERRARI F50

After the mess experienced with the F40, Maranello made sure to guarantee the exclusivity of its replacement. Luca Cordero de Montezemolo announced that one less unit would be manufactured than the market requested, so The production of the Ferrari F50 remained at 349 examples. The chassis numbers ranged from 101919 to 1207575. On this occasion, to avoid any speculation, the car was bought in installments.

Upon receiving the car, a first payment of $240.000 was made, and then face 24 monthly payments of $5.600. Finally, an additional $150.000 was paid to complete the purchase of the car. In this way, until two years had passed, the buyer was not the effective owner of the F50. and these were prevented from generating immediate capital gains. with its sale. Today, the system is simpler. If Ferrari finds out - and of course it will find out - that you are speculating on one of the hypercars or limited editions that you just bought, You get off the VIP list and you can't buy any new ones again..

Transfer the sensations of a single-seater to the street.

A characteristic look.

Circular headlights are a must for the brand.

As the saying goes: three is a crowd.

Curiously, and unlike the F40, it never entered competition, although a racing version was developed. It was called Ferrari F50GT and produced 750 hp at 10.500 revolutions, weighing 860 kilos. A true beast that remained a prototype of which only three units were manufactured. By the way, a top speed of 376 km/h was announced, a figure that perhaps many expected for the street model.

EPILOGUE

Compared to the Ferrari F40 or the Enzo FerrariFor example, the F50 failed to attract public interest. That the brand gave up trying to beat the McLaren F1 was a certain disappointment, although our protagonist faithfully fulfilled the purpose for which it was conceived. Just because, The Ferrari F50 managed to transfer the sensations of a single-seater to the street, but without being the untamed beast that the F40 was.

In addition, Its limited production has maintained its very high quotes, prices that have skyrocketed in recent years, with units auctioned for over five million euros. His naturally aspirated V12 engine remains the jewel in the crown and a source of pride in the Italian house, associated with an old-fashioned manual transmission. Finally, his silhouette has nothing to envy that of the rampant horses most iconic, especially when we have it in front of us.

Their contributions exceed 2,5 million euros.

The grille allows the mechanical elements to be seen.

The equipment includes air conditioning.

To drive the F50, you don't have to be a pilot.

The rear of the F50 is the part that other drivers will see.

It is not surprising that Purists consider it the best Ferrari in history, the last to preserve the essences of driving before the mass arrival of technology and driving aids.

Pictures of RM Sotheby's / Simon Clay and Ferrari.