Classic Ferrari 550 Reborn as Touring Superleggera Veloce 12

Touring Superleggera unveils the Veloce 12 Aperta

The iconic Ferrari 550 returns to the spotlight — not as a factory model but as a lavish restomod from Milan's Touring Superleggera. The new Veloce 12 Aperta is a targa-style, open-top interpretation of the 1990s Ferrari grand tourer, reimagined for the 21st century with bespoke luxury details and modern engineering.

This is not a one-size-fits-all coachbuilt car: buyers must supply an original Ferrari 550 donor car for conversion, allowing Touring's engineers to transform the classic coupe into a road-going work of art with removable roof panels and a thoroughly updated chassis and bodywork.

Design: classic silhouette, modern details

The Veloce 12 Aperta preserves the broad shoulders and long-hood proportions that made the Ferrari 550 famous, but almost every surface has been refined. Key exterior updates include:

• Redesigned front grille and bumper for improved airflow and contemporary aesthetics
• Slimmer, modern LED head- and taillight units replacing the original lamps
• Narrower hood air intake and revised aerodynamics to suit modern speeds
• Removable targa panels that stow neatly in the trunk when not in use

Inside the trunk, Touring dresses the space in burgundy leather and brushed aluminum trim. Owners can order bespoke luggage — for example, aluminum cases from Rimowa or custom crocodile-leather pieces from an Italian atelier — tailored to fit the compartment.

Craftsmanship meets practicality

A small storytelling detail: Touring fitted the Aperta with a 24-karat gold badge on the B-pillars — a subtle nod to the car's exclusivity and handmade pedigree.

Interior and driving experience

The cabin is a two-seater wrapped in two-tone leather and Alcantara in white and burgundy. The dashboard and center console are cloaked in burgundy leather, contrasted by polished metal trim and a classic chrome manual gearlever.

Yes, Touring kept a six-speed manual gearbox — a deliberate choice to preserve the pure, analog driving experience. That tactile link to the past is a centerpiece of the car's appeal for driving enthusiasts who prize engagement over outright lap times.

Performance: a naturally aspirated V12

Under the long hood sits a naturally aspirated V12 engine producing roughly 510 horsepower, driving only the rear wheels. Touring quotes a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of about 4.4 seconds. While those figures don't outgun the fastest modern V12 grand tourers from Bentley or Aston Martin, the character of a high-revving, naturally aspirated V12 paired to a manual gearbox is where the Veloce 12 Aperta stakes its claim.

Highlights:

• Engine: naturally aspirated V12
• Power: ~510 hp
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
• 0–100 km/h: ~4.4 seconds

Market positioning and price expectations

Touring has not confirmed pricing for the Aperta, but the fixed-roof Veloce 12 reportedly started around $754,000 — and that figure excluded the cost of the donor Ferrari 550. Given the complexity of the targa conversion, the Aperta is expected to command an even higher price. Production will be strictly limited, enhancing collectibility.

How it compares

Compared with modern grand tourers — Bentley Continental, Aston Martin DB12, or the latest V12 Ferraris — the Veloce 12 Aperta is less about raw performance metrics and more about authenticity, craftsmanship, and the emotional experience of driving a piece of automotive art.

"In an era of electronic aids and turbocharged urgency, Touring sells something rarer: a human-driven, V12 grand tourer with a manual gearbox," one enthusiast might say.

For collectors and drivers who prioritize aesthetic purity and analog engagement, the Veloce 12 Aperta is a compelling, limited-edition proposition — a modern tribute to the Ferrari 550 that blends coachbuilt luxury with old-school driving pleasure.