Introduced for 2002, the Ferrari 575M (Modificata) represented an evolution of the acclaimed 550 Maranello rather than an entirely new model.

With the introduction of the 550 Maranello in 1997, Ferrari had returned to its tradition of building front-engined V12 sports cars, resurrecting a line that had remained dormant since the demise of the 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ in 1974.

The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and the 550 Maranello’s 48-valve, 5.5-liter V12 developed 485bhp at 7,000rpm, some 100-or-so horsepower more than the Daytona’s.

Ferrari had discovered long ago that providing optimum balance in a front-engined sports car necessitated the use of a rear transaxle, and the Maranello’s came with six speeds.

The power train was housed in a tubular steel chassis, to which was attached aluminum coachwork, while the all-independent suspension incorporated dual-mode (normal/sports) damping, switch-selectable by the driver, which was complemented by speed-sensitive power-assisted steer...