1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast S2
The 500 Superfast is of the most elite Italian hyperboutique GTs of the 1960s. At the time it was near-mythical, exquisitely couture and fast in an epic way. The Pininfarina Ferrari is long and sensual, a conventional beauty with curves you want to caress. The Ferrari’s V12 has a growl that is silken and confident. These were the last coachbuilt, limited-production cars to be offered by the greatest name in Italian Exotica. Nothing else was available for those who required race car performance combined with GT comforts, and their huge price-tags inspired as much awe as their legendary potential for speed. The fact the £11,500 Ferrari cost £2000 more than a Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine in ’66 shows what a rarefied universe it inhabited. Cars were only ever built to order, expressly to appeal to the tastes and mores of the wealthiest individuals in society – special international clients who could afford a car that combined uncompromised power with supreme luxury.
After 25 examples had been built, a revised Superfast was introduced in mid-1966, the most significant mechanical change being the adoption of a five-speed all-synchromesh gearbox. A further 12 cars were made, this later batch being outwardly distinguishable by their 3-vent engine bay louvres that replaced the earlier 11-vent style. As each and every Superfast was individually built to order, the common reference to ‘Series I’ and ‘Series II’ versions is somewhat misleading, particularly as some of the former were made with the five-speed gearbox and 3-vent louvres.
The Ferrari 500 Superfast was just that — the fastest road-going Ferrari you could buy. Based on the America grand tourer, the Superfast came with a 5-liter Columbo V12 and could easily reach 175 MPH — an incredible speed, especially for the 1960s. This Series II Superfast is the 33rd of only 37 made, and the 8th of only 12 Series II models. The car was originally delivered to Jack S. Durlacher, a London stockbroker and backer of the Rob Walker racing team that competed in F1 in the 50s and 60s. With an older restoration and the original engine, this 500 Superfast is a driver’s car, not content with being on static display.
The coachwork was designed by Pininfarina with a tapered nose, rounded tail. This model was restored with its original scheme Blu Chiaro (only three in this color) over Naturale leather. It was fitted with factory air conditioning and power windows but no rear seats, sport cars !
The 500 Superfast comes from an era when everything Ferrari produced was top-notch and highly desirable. Granted, the Superfast isn’t as iconic as the 250 GTO and doesn’t fetch as much at public auctions, but it has its own special place in the lineup. While the 250 GTO is pretty much a road-legal race car, the 500 Superfast is a luxurious, comfortable, but still fast grand tourer. It’s the ultimate embodiment of the America series, and it will become more expensive as the years move on.
