The 500 Superfast was Ferrari's flagship tourer that took off from where the 400 and 410 Super America series ended. It was Ferrari's ideal cruiser with a large-displacement V12 and ample cabin space. Twice as expensive as the more sporting 275 GTB, these cars were seldom ordered and only produced at a rate of two per month by Pininfarina.
Bare chassis were sent to Pininfarina's workshop in Turin to be fitted with bodies and interiors. The body was fashioned in steel and was an updated version of the Aerodynamico shape first fitted to the Ferrari 400 range. It had an oval grill, protruding fenders and twin bumpers which were later adopted to Ferrari's entire range. What set this car apart was its unique rear end with an unusually long overhang that included a semi-fastback trunk and rear Kamm tail. Despite the enormous size, the grace of these elements made the design more elegant than the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 and 365 GT 2+2 which came afterward.
Inside, the passengers got a large greenhouse, adjustable seats, Connolly leather, a large luggage platform, fluted headlining, teak veneers and a wooden dash with a impressive spread of gauges.
To further distinguish the Superfast from Ferrari's 330 GT 2+2, a new Tipo 208 SOHC engine was designed by Colombo that displaced five liters. It produced 400 bhp which was more than ample for the heavy body, powering the car to 174 mph (280 kph). This was attached a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The chassis were borrowed from the 330 GT 2+2 line.
Only 25 Series I Superfasts were constructed due to the enormous price and intricate detail work required from Pininfarina. First owners included Prince Bernard of the Netherlands, Shah Reza Pahlevi, Johnnie von Neumann, Colonel Ronnie Hoare and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. An additional 11 'second series' cars were made in 1967.
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