Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina

The 550 Pininfarina Barchetta unveiled in Paris

Paris, 28th September Today was Press Day at the Salon de l'Automobile in Paris and it featured the launch of the 550 Pininfarina Barchetta. Present at the event was Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and the designer who gave the car its name, Sergio Pininfarina. The latest barchetta to come out of Maranello will go into production next January. Only 448 will be built, all numbered and signed by Pininfarina to mark his fifty years of collaboration with Ferrari. Speaking to the press, President Montezemolo expressed his satisfaction with the way this year was going, both in production and sporting terms. "Without wishing to gloat in any way, we can say that Ferrari is living through really exceptional times," said Montezemolo. "In 1993, we sold only 220 cars. By the end of August of this year, sales were already up by 18% compared with the same period in 1999. The league table of countries where we sell the most is headed by the United States, followed by Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan." On the subject of Formula 1, Montezemolo was both clear and cautious: "The results speak for themselves. But we have not won yet and so it is best to stay very calm with our feet firmly on the ground. Last year we had an extraordinary season, winning the Constructors' Championship, despite being deprived of Schumacher for six races. This year we have done much better, both in terms of wins and points. However, there are still two very difficult races to go, during which anything can happen. Whatever happens, seeing Ferrari finish first and second in Indianapolis was a great pleasure."