When the first converted and road-legal Porsche 962s appeared in the streets something radically changed in the way cars are build. Yes, we all know there were racers transformed into street cars due to race regulations. But who'd ever think 'bout turning a 400+ km/h fast vehicle into a street machine? Well here is a list for You: from Germany Zimmermann, Koenig Sportscars and Dauer Racing and in the UK Schuppan Racing. Now, Ferrari went one step further: took a Formula 1 racer and built a road-going roadster based on it. The Ferrari F50 was first officially introduced at the 1995 Geneva Motorshow twice. First, there was a press conference at the newly opened Geneva Automuseum and next day, on the first the press day at the Ferrari stand, they held another. This car was one of the biggest showstopper in 1995.
The idea came from the 2nd son of Enzo Ferrari, Piero. After the F40 he wanted to see a Ferrari on a market made from a Formula 1 racer. The starting point was Prost's 1990 641/2 rocket.
It's 3.5 litre engine was very compact, very short so it was not too difficult to fit in the rear without making the wheelbase too long. This five-valve per culinder engine is naturally aspirated engine (the F40 has had a turbo engine).
The body was designed by Pininfarina, who designed the whole current Ferrari range. Cues were taken from the Mythous prototype of 1989. CAD and normal methods were combined and after various proposals the final result emerged.
The final styling model was completed in 1991. Although it looks all but identical to the production car, three important modifications were done: 1. enlargement of the front air intakes, 2. a small spoiler has been placed under the front bumper, 3. addition of two small wings to the A-pillar. The final shape with a Cd factor of 0.372 looks breathtaking. It's everything a Ferrari should be: flowin' lines, wideness and wildness. There are two versions: hood on/off.
There is big road noise due to the fact that F1 technology lies underneath. But then You'll surely know You HAVE F1 technology under Your pants.
exploited view from the press release

349 F50s will be built (interestingly one laess than the McLaren F1's originally planned build run).
The first 50 are heading for the States to avoid the tougher regulations, January 1996. The price tag is 475.000 US dollars or 329.000 British pounds. So it costs half of the McLaren F1 but this car is not a competitor of the F1. Why 349? Ferrari figured out 350 cars'd be fine and then came the respect of Enzo who thought it's good business always to build one less car than the market wanted. Rumours are circulatin' about a F60.

Technical details

Engine
Configuration	12 cylinders in 65 degree V layout
Bore	85 mm
Stroke	69 mm
Cylinder capacity	23.9 cu in (3916 cc)
Total displacement	286.7 cu in (4700 cc)
Compression ratio	11.3:1
Max. power output	382.5 kW (513 HP SAE, 520 CV CE) at 8500 rpm.
Peak torque	417 Nm (347 lb ft) at 6500 rpm
Specific power	109 HP/litre (SAE)
Ignition	Bosch static electronic ignition
Injection	Bosch Motronic 2.7 injection
Engine weight	198 kg (436.5 lb)
Performance
Top Speed	325 km/h (202 mph)
Acceleration	0 to 60 mile 3.7 s (0-100 km/h 3.87 s)	1 mile: 30.3 s (0-1000 m 21.7 s)
Dimensions and weights
Max. length	176.4 in (4480 mm)
Max. width	78.2 in (1986 mm)
Max. height	44.1 in (1120 mm)
Wheelbase	101.6 in (2580 mm)
Front track	63.8 in (1620 mm)
Rear track	63.1 in (1602 mm)
Weight unladen	2712 lb (1230 kg)
Tyres	Tubeless radial tyres Front: 245/35 ZR 18 Rear: 335/30 ZR 18
Rubber fuel tank	capacity 27.7 US. gal/ 32.1 Imp. gal (105 liter)
Front brake discs	14 in (355 mm)
Rear brake discs	13.2 in (335 mm)
Equipment	Air conditioning, Detachable hard-top/ open-top section with roll bats, including trolley and stowage bag, documented photo album showing car in build, choice of pedal box sets - one up to shoe size 7, and one above size 7, tailor-made raing boots with owner's initials.

100 people already stopped lookin' for a way to find out how Alain Prost felt himself in 1990 (in other words: 100 orders have been placed to the F50 up to date).

"Who said a spider couldn't fly" - this slogan was applied way back to a particular Aston Martin 2-seater, but it fits to this one either.
This car is set to be the biggest selling F355. Why? The prancing horse often associated with the open-top motoring. This car ain't a targa or any stuff like that, it's 100 % open Ferrari.
It's based on the GT's variable section welded steel tube spaceframe chassis but modified to retain as much of the 355's torsional stiffness and to accomodate the power hood's six electric/ hydraulic motors. So only a switch is required to raise the top which is then fastened manually to the top of the windshield. The body modifications are: rear wings, roof and B-pillars. "Any performance penalty caused by added weight is undetectable. And the wonderful handling has not been spoiled by any lack of rigidity" stated Paul Frere in R&T.
As with all F355s shipped to America, dual airbags are standard. Inside the car there are such nice touches like the adjustable steering column, Conolly leather upholstered seats. The car weighs about 130 lbs more than the coupe. Most Spiders are destined for the Californian market. But as Luca di Montezumolo, the president of Ferrari said: Ferrari is not a mass manufacturer and has pinned maximum annual production to 3000 cars a year. That means you might have to wait 18 months for your Spyder, even if you order one now.

Technical details

Engine
Configuration	8-cylinder in V90 degree in the middle with rear-wheel drive
Capacity	3496 cc (213.3 cu. in.)
Bore x stroke	85 x 77 mm (3.35 x 3.03 in).
Max. power	280 kW (375 HP) @ 8250 rpm
Max torque	363 Nm (269 lb. ft) @ 6000 rpm
Dimensions and weights
Length	4250 mm (167. 3 in)
Width	1900 mm (74.8 in)
Height	1170 mm (46.1 in)
Wheelbase	2450 mm (96.5 in)
Kerb weight	1350 kg (2976 lb)
Tyres	255/40 ZR 18 (front) 265/40 ZR 18 (rear)
Performance
Max. speed	295 km/h (183 mph)
Acceleration to 0-100 km/h	4.7 sec (0-60 mph 4.6 sec).

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Copyright January, 1996.