One to Buy: ex-Yoshio Matsuda 1 of 31 Giallo Modena 1996 Ferrari F50
In order to homologate an F1-derived normally aspirated V12 for the 333 SP racing car, Ferrari equipped its third generation mid-engined super speciale with said engine, albeit in 4.7 as opposed to 4-litre trim as used in the new sports prototype.
This spectacular 512bhp motor was hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox and dropped into a brand new carbonfibre tub that weighed just 102kg. The uncompromising suspension layout comprised rose-jointed double wishbones with push-rods, coil springs and Bilstein gas-pressurised dampers.
With its striking aerodynamically-profiled body and basic level of interior equipment, the F50 caused a sensation on its debut at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show and, despite poor economic conditions, Ferrari had no trouble shifting the limited run of 349 cars constructed.
Ferrari officially offered the F50 in just five exterior colours (Rosso Corsa, Rosso Barchetta, Giallo Modena, Argento Nurburgring and Nero Daytona) with the overwhelming majority of customers opting for traditional Rosso Corsa.
By contrast, just 31 of the 349 F50s built were configured in sensational Giallo Modena, a particularly interesting example of which is currently on offer with Bingo Sports in Tokyo.
The car in question was one of two originally commissioned by noted Ferrari and Porsche collector, Yoshio Matsuda. The brace of F50s joined Matsuda’s Ferrari Museum of Art in Gotemba on the outskirts of Tokyo where they resided among one of the most significant collections to feature the products of Maranello.
Today, this ex-Matsuda Collection Giallo F50 has covered a little under 13,000km.
Reprinted below is Bingo Sports’ description:
Mileage: 12,922 kilometers
Exterior Color: Giallo Modena
Interior Color: Nero Leather & Alcantara
The F50 was created to celebrate Ferrari’s 50th anniversary and developed with F1 technology.
These cars had the difficult task of succeeding the iconic F40. In contrast to the twin-turbo V8 of its predecessor, it uses a naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V12 derived from their 1990 F1 car. Like F1 cars, Ferrari developed a carbon fibre monocoque and the Pininfarina body was wind tunnel-tested and made of a combination of carbon fibre, kevlar and Nomex honeycomb. Despite all this technology it’s an iconic old-school analog car with a gated six-speed manual gearbox.
The car was unveiled at the 1995 Geneva Salon with 349 were going to be made, one less than they thought they could sell, a strategy to ensure that demand always exceeded supply.
This example is one of just 31 originally produced in the striking Giallo Modena colour. Originally part of the famed Matsuda Collection in Japan, it now forms part of the BINGO Collection. The car is Classiche certified and comes with almost all the original accessories (minus driving shoes). There are just under 13,000km on the odometer.
