When Classic Driver was founded in 1998, the market for luxurious high-performance grand tourers was rather limited. Naturally, the Bentley Continental was the most distinguished choice for a gentleman to drive from Kensington to St. Moritz and back — but if you desired a bit more punch, the choice was basically down to the two "Five-fiftees" - the Aston Martin V550 and the Ferrari 550 Maranello. Launched in 1993, the Aston Martin V550 was a hand-built brute in a Savile Row suit. A steroidal version of the genteel Virage, it sported a twin-supercharged 5.3 litre V8 engine wrapped in a beautiful aluminium coachwork and Connolly leather. The "Super Virage" remains one of Newport Pagnell’s most eccentric and audacious creations. 

Designed by the great Lorenzo Ramaciotti at Pininfarina, the Ferrari 550 was the first front-engined, top-of-the-range V12 gran turismo since the Daytona when it launched in 1996. And while the strictly-limited Barchetta version and Prodrive's FIA GT racers are now traded for eye-watering sums, the original, timeless Ferrari 550 can still be found for rather modest sums. With comparable prices and power figures, which turn-of-the-millenium super GT from the Classic Driver Market will you pick? The Aston Martin V550 or the Ferrari 550 Maranello? Let us know on our Instagram channel — and don't forget to follow us, so we can soon celebrate our next follower milestones with the Ferrari 575 and Aston Martin V600.

550 vs 550 - Which one will you pick?