I absolutely adore this car this is the only non factory Ferrari that I would like in my dream coloection. I thought I'd share it with you guys

Although not an official factory effort, the 550 LM is currently the most extreme front-engined Ferrari to have emerged since the firm returned to this traditional layout for two-seat cars in 1996. The idea came from Frederic Dor, the Swiss oil magnate who bankrolled Prodrive's transformation of the 550 Maranello into a GT racing car. Within two full seasons of racing, the Prodrive 550's had secured consecutive FIA GT Championship's, won most of the big race's on American soil and taken class victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. On the back of this unprecedented success for what was effectively a privateer Ferrari, Dor approached Prodrive with the idea of building a road-going version.


Unfortunately, Prodrive were convinced the project couldn't be done within budget and anyway, by this time they had already begun work on Aston Martin's new DBR9. Undeterred, Dor then approached ES Motorsport of Buckinghamshire and plans were drawn up for a production run of 50 cars. Each 550 LM is based on a standard 550 Maranello donor car and features extensive chassis, engine and interior enhancements along with an identical carbon fibre body to the Prodrive-built racers. Brakes are uprated cross-drilled and ventilated discs from AP Racing. Brake lines, pipes and ducting are also new. Up front are 385mm discs with six-piston callipers (compared to 330mm for the standard 550), the back receiving 355mm discs and four-piston callipers (enlarged from 310mm). Suspension is via double wishbones with firmer coil springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. The three alternative spring rates include one for Road and another for Track (selected via the Sport button on the dash) and lastly a Race set up that requires some manual tinkering in the pit lane.

Bigger 19-inch OZ Racing wheels are fitted, the fronts being widened from 8.5 to 9-inches, the backs increased from 10.5 to 11.5. The power-assisted rack and pinion steering meanwhile retains the standard 550's ABS sensors but thanks to those wider wheels is a little heavier and provides more feel. Ferrari's all-alloy dual overhead camshaft V12 remains dimensionally unchanged at 5474cc. It keeps the same four valve cylinder heads, sequential multi-point fuel injection and dry sump lubrication. There's a re-mapped ECU with electronic airflow mass and lambda sensors from the Enzo, this enabling the engine to use a richer petrol and air mix at higher revs. Other modifications include a new exhaust system with straight through pipes. These exit unnoticed through the rear diffuser in contrast to the racecars side-exiting system. Opening the hood reveals cone air intakes, an engine cover, a front radiator surround and wheelarch trims all fabricated from carbon fibre. The net result sees output climb by around 10% - from 485bhp to 537bhp at 7000rpm.

There's also 438lb ft of torque generated at 5000rpm, Ferrari's renowned six-speed manual transmission losing none of its effortless flexibility in transition. By far the most dramatic changes are made outside, the 550 LM's lightweight fourteen-piece bodywork being made from a mixture of carbon fibre and Kevlar by GTR Ltd, a small British firm renowned for their work in Formula 1 circles. Near enough an exact replica of the Prodrive-built racers, the only significant changes are re-profiled inner rear wheelarches for greater tyre clearance. Meanwhile, the carbon sills, front splitter and rear diffuser are left unpainted, the huge carbon rear wing featuring a white centre-section.


Inside, all of the standard 550's sound deadening material has been removed along with the driver and passenger airbags, the door trim, steering wheel, stereo (replaced with a lightweight Becker Indianapolis) and the regular electric seats. The two new leather-trimmed carbon sports seats are adjustable and can also be enhanced with optional four-point racing harnesses. Carbon fibre is used for the door trim, dash facia, centre console and even for the panel behind the seats, the instrument binnacle being re-trimmed in alcantara and housing a new speedometer. The dash is fronted by a three-spoke Sparco racing-style steering wheel with suede rim and upshift light, the carbon fibre racing-style gear shifter proving a joy to use. Each 550 LM comes with a numbered commemorative plaque and retains the original donor cars interior carpet. Even without Plexiglas for the side and back windows, the 550 LM weighs in at just 1400kg, a saving of over 300kg compared to the standard 1716kg. With a power-to-weight ratio of nearly 400bhp per ton, it's blisteringly fast, a 206mph top speed and 0-60 in 3.9 seconds being substantially quicker than the stock version.

The first press pictures were released in August 2004 and later that month, the 550 LM made its public debut outside the Larbre Competition tent in a quiet corner of the Silverstone paddock during the LMES 1000km race. Converting a stock Maranello into a 550 LM will cost £90,000 (donor car not included) and buyers can choose from a range of optional extras like the LM roof vent, four point harnesses, a data logging system, personalised Alpinestars luggage and a Becker satellite navigation system. A production run of just 50 cars is planned, most of which are expected to be in the same Miami Red with High Gloss Black as the racers. The first customer cars were scheduled for delivery in January 2005.

source: QV500.com - Ferrari Porsche Lotus Lamborghini

 

that is tough looking, I like it.

 

I never understood why they used those undersized wheels

 

unsprung weight > bling

 

Larger wheels don't always mean greater weight, those wheels were on the car when it was first made in '03 or whatever lifetime that was. Furthermore larger wheels not always equal to bling. Ever heard of extra grip? It didn't slow down the car that inspired it.

 

Looks good.

 

Wheel sizes have increased exponentially over the years believe it or not these were considered huge when they came out. I remember I purchased a BMW 540i in 1998 and it's 17'' wheels were considered ''bling'' at the time

 

I'd take a 575 GTC instead

 

True, but when this car came out, the 575 was in production and 19" wheels were pretty standard by this time. I don't understand why form always has to be termed "bling"