Performance Review: Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 - [1964]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 500 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1964. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12.This particular Ferrari 500 has a 4963cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 500 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 500's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1400 kgs (3086 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 500 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 4963cc 24V V12 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 350 lb-ft (474.5 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 500 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Convertible AWD (310.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 500.

The Ferrari 500 has a Power to weight ratio of 285.7 bhp per ton and 250.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1964 500 competing with the 2014 Jaguar F Type R 5.0 V8 Convertible AWD (310.6 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (310.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 500 generating around 250.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (275.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (275.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 500 and the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo I RS

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 500 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.42 secs @ 110.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo I RS (12.36 secs), the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i F21 LCI (12.36 secs), and the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (12.36 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1964 version of the Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 1964 500 equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast 5.0 V12 then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

1964 500 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison