The History of Ferrari

When Enzo Ferrari created his company Scuderia Ferrari in Italy in 1929 his intentions was to sponsor amateur race car drivers and invent racing cars, and it would take more than 15 years before Ferrari began to create their own road cars in 1946. Ferrari is still devoted to the creation of racing cars and high performance sports cars and do not create other types of cars. Scuderia Ferrari is still the widespread name for Gestione Sportiva, the part of the Ferrari company that works with racing. Scuderia is an Italian word and means “stable”, but Scuderia Ferrari is sometime also translated as Team Ferrari.

During the early years, Scuderia Ferrari sponsored race car drivers that were driving Alfa Romeo cars. Scuderia Ferrari would prepare Alfa Romeo cars before the race, and in 1938 Enzo Ferrari became officially employed by Alfa Romeo's racing department. Two years later Enzo Ferrari found out that Alfa Romeo was planning to absorb Scuderia Ferrari, a plan which Enzo Ferrari strongly opposed. He instantly left his job at Alfa Romeo, but his contract restricted him from being involved with racing for several years. He changed Scuderia Ferrari into “Auto Avio Costruzioni Ferrari” and officially manufactured aircraft accessories for a few years. Enzo Ferrari did however create a race car during this restricted period. The Tipo 815 debuted at the Mille Miglia race in 1940, but the race was hampered due to World War II and Tipo 815 encountered no real competition. In 1943 Enzo Ferrari moved his factory to Maranello in Italy and one year later the factory was bombed. After the end of World War II, Enzo Ferrari rebuilt his factory and now the Ferrari factory was capable of construction road cars as well.

Ferrari constructed its first road car in 1947. The 1947 125 S Ferrari had a 1.5 L V12 engine and the whole car was considered very beautiful and well designed. Enzo Ferrari was still more interested in race cars and the Ferrari road cars was merely a way for him to fund his work with the Scuderia Ferrari. His distaste for the road car customers became famous and he even accused them of buying Ferrari cars only as status symbols. It is true that the Ferrari road cars grow to fame not only due to excellent performance but also thanks to their stylish elegance. Pininfarina, Bertone, Ghia, Scagliette, Touring and Vignale are all examples of design houses that have worked with Ferrari.

In November 1961 a dispute between Enzo Ferrari and his sales manager, Girolamo Gardini, turned into a crisis. Girolamo Gardini threatened to leave the company. Enzo Ferrari responded to the threat by throwing out Girolamo Gardini, and several employees who agreed with Girolamo Gardini were also ousted. Among them were Romolo Tavoni, manager for Scuderia Ferrari, Giotto Bizzarrini, the chief of the experimental sports car development, and Carlo Chiti, the chief engineer. This was naturally a huge loss for the Ferrari company and the crisis deepened when those who had been thrown out formed their own company – Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS). ATS even managed to take over Scuderia Serenissima, a very successful racing team, from Ferrari.

A younger engineer, Mauro Forghieri, and an experienced racing bodyman, Sergio Scaglietti, assumed responsibility and tried to finish the projects that the leaving employees had left behind. One of the most important tasks was to finish the development of 250 GTO; a new 250-based model that could compete with the Jaguar E-type. The 250 GTO was finished in time to participate in the Sebring race and place itself first in class, driven by Phil Hill. Throughout 1962, the 250 GTO continued to win the races and it is still one of the most well known race cars in history. The crisis turned out to be something good for Ferrari and the 1960s became a very good decade for the company.

Until the 1980s when Ferrari began to use fuel injection in the road cars, the Ferraris were known as rather temperamental cars. They could be very unreliable, but would still attract a large group of dedicated fans that viewed this unpredictability as “character” rather than a problem. Today, FIAT controls 56 percent of the Ferrari stocks. The rest of stocks owned by Enzo's con Piero Ferrari and by Commerzbank, Mediobanca and the Lehman Brothers. Maranello is still the home town for Ferrari.

Ferrari Car Show & Vehicle History

Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car which has always been synonymous with speed, glamour and wealth. The company was founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1928. Right from the beginning, Enzo wanted to make an elitist car which had speed. Throughout the early years, Ferrari cars were racing in Europe. Despite enjoying success at the tracks, Ferrari continued to struggle financially for most of the 40s-70s.

Finally, Enzo sold the Ferrari Company to Fiat and started a new Era in the late 80s. In 1988, the Ferrari F 40 was built and is still today claimed to be one of the best super sports car ever made. Today, Ferrari not only ventures into cars but has business interests in bicycles, perfumes, electronic goods, mobile phones and even watches.

The first Ferrari road car was not made until 1947 and was the 125S. Throughout this time period, Enzo made sure his Ferrari cars entered all European races and Ferrari always remained at the top in the Formula one series races.

Among the most famous Ferrari sports drivers have been Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.

Scuderia Ferrari is the subdivision of Ferrari which is concerned with racing. The superb engineering, experienced drivers and artistic design of the car has enabled it to achieve more success at Formula one than most cars combined. It stands alone at the top of the racing world.

As far as private cars, there are a number of Ferraris in the USA- the cars are very expensive to run and maintain. The global downturn in the economy has not affected Ferrari because it does not rely on the consumer market for its sales. Its money is mainly derived form racing circuit. However, there is no sign that the company is going through a difficult time.

In 2007, the Financial Times put Ferrari as one of the top places to work. Both on and off the track, Ferrari has been a great success.

Ferrari Models Reviewed

Ferrari was founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari and first produced cars in 1947. Today, the parent company for Ferrari is Fiat. The Ferraris engines are famous for their engine displacement technology. The V6 and the V8 are built in total displacement, while the V12 used a displacement of one cylinder. Some of the latest Ferrari models include the Ferrari 550, the 575 M Maranello, 599 GTB Fiorano, the 612 Scaglietti, the F355, the Ferrari 360, the F430, the Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari FXX.

The 599 GTB Fiorano was started to be produced in 2007, and it is a Gran Turismo two seat berlinetta with a FR layout. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a follower of the Ferrari 456 and it is a 2+2 coupe Gran Turismo. It was first launched in 2004 and is still being manufactured. Another car also launched in 2004 is the Ferrari F430. It is a sports car and it is available as a two seat Berlinetta and as a two seat Spider. The F430 has a MR layout and can be purchased with a 6 manual or semi automatic speed.

The Enzo Ferrari is a super car/ ultra car manufactured between 2002 and 2004 and was launched in the memory of the founder of the Ferrari company. The Enzo was manufactured in only 400 copies so it was a highly expensive item. It had a Berlinetta body style and a MR layout. The follower model of the Enzo Ferrari was the FXX, which is also a super car. The FXX was released in 2005, and is said to be an improved Enzo Ferrari with the same MR layout and Berlinetta body style. The FXX keeps many of the Enzo’s features but has also new cool features that are singular to the FXX. The car is highly expensive and it may be driven on special tracks only. The last FXX, the 30th was given to Michael Schumacher. A similar super car is the Maserati MC12 Corsa.

Ferrari si also responsilble for some concept models, which include among others the Ferrari P5, the Ferrari Pininfarina 512S Berlinetta Speciale, the Pininfarina Modulo, the Ferrari Mythos, the Ferrari GG50, the Ferrari P4/5 and the Ferrari Zagato 575 GTZ.

Farrari

Ferrari cars history

Every system like every invention or establishment has an origin. Such origin marks the genesis of change, effect or impact it is bound to generate within its immediate environment and beyond. Albeit some of these can be too insignificant to warrant the attention of subsequent commentators, others are too outstanding to be ignored or you risk credibility. In this second category lies the trajectory of the Ferrari story.

Ferrari, a legendary epithet in the car industry got itself solidly entrenched in Maranelo, Italy some eight decades ago through the ingenuity and passion of its founding father, Enzo Ferrari precisely in 1929. This passionate inventor at this time had his eyes and nose on car racing fame, pursuing this vision with vigor. Traces of his diligence in this field could be easily identified through his practical efforts in that direction. Notable among these was the racing team named after him-scuderia Ferrari which flourished as the most famous racing team in her days. Another major landmark was Enzo Ferrari’s romance with Alfa Romeo during which his team featured as the latter’s in-house racing team. No wander his earlier products wore Italy’s conventional racing colour “red race”.

Of course subsequent unfolding events vindicated a full realization of his obsession by way of highly commendable championship victories. Prominent among these were those recorded in the 1950s through 70s and the 1990s through 2000s. It was through these giant strides that Enzo Ferrari metamorphosed into a global frontline manufacturer of super cars. Although Ferrari sold out the racing unit of the company to Fiat in 1969, he remained strictly in control till he passed on in 1988 at the ripe age of 90.

Important Years

A review of the most significant years of the organization is sure to reveal her note worthy attainments. Perhaps the most interesting revelation is that the company did witness myriads of tough times but had continued to weather the storm thus surviving those mortal threats that shook her to her very foundation. Ferrari’s corporate existence got violently challenged with her bombing in 1944 in the course of the world war. She was however brought back to her feet in 1946 at a highly impressive facelift than hitherto. She therefore resumed remarkable operations in 1947. This company must have been blessed with an array of goal-driven personnel to compliment the shrewd leadership of her founder, a combination that dramatically navigated the company to an unrivalled technological craftsmanship. Hence this period may be safely tagged the year of total rebirth.

Another spectacular period was that of major shake-off, precisely 1961. This marked the period of acute crisis within the rank and file of the employees, which ended up firing myriads of the major staff. Such development certainly spelt tough challenges and set backs to the company, though maintained her leadership in the world of super car producers.

Then came the era of deadly competitor (1963-67). At this period, Ferrari witnessed a cut-throat rivalry from big wigs like Shelby Cobra of the US through his intimidating V8 model. Besides, Ford’s pressure to win ownership of Ferrari came tormenting the peace of this giant of automobiles, though Ford’s aspiration could not materialize.

Also worthy of mention was the Ferrari’s year of protest in 1968 during which he declined participation in car racing, an action aimed at driving home his grievance against the clamp- down on prototypes over 3000cc. This step definitely sent some bitter pills down the throat of this great company. Fancy, for instance, the Alfa Romeo’s unprecedented defeats of Ferrari between 1969 and 1971.

The demise of Enzo Ferrari in 1988 led to a change in batton in the company. Such a change subsequently led to renewed participation in car racing from 1996. Remarkable victories were recorded as a result. Notable among these were the Ferrari’s F1 tripple wins. Such record of victories had been maintained even in the 2000s.

Most Famous Ferrari Models

Fishing out the most famous Ferrari models can be pretty tasking understanding the organization’s background as a whole world of sophisticated super cars. Such sophistication could be appreciated in style, agility and athletic prowess. For instance the remark of an Italian car racing enthusiast reveals it all: “I must have driven over 30 Ferraris in my time, but none of such experiences is anything less than a magnificent occasion”. Nonetheless, the mere fact that in the game of rating, the classes of ‘good’ ‘better’ and ‘best’ can be easily identified makes the exercise reasonable enough. The older models of Ferrari that remained outstandingly marvelous in their time include the 125, 159, 166, 195 of the 1940s. Next to them were the 250 GTO, 288 GTO, F40, F50, F50 GT all of which not only gallantly flourished but actually dominated the stage from 1960s through 90s.

More imposing still are the 2000s Ferrari. Not only are these cars more riveting in their looks, their weights, sizes and ruggedness have been configured to meet their ever-domineering state of the art posture. Featuring prominently in this group are the 575M Marenello, 575M Superamerica, 612 Scaglietti, F430, F430 Spider and FXX all of 2006. Soon to grab the market by the storm is the 2007 599 GTB.

The bones, interiors and mechanical configurations of Ferrari can be quite astonishing. For instance the front - engined V12 Ferrari’s powered at 500bhp and above are terrific while the mid-engined models are intimidating still. Some commentators even argue that the mid-engined 12 cylinder Ferraris are much more captivating than others and indeed the best of the Ferrari models. Believe it or not, such comments are endless with the myriads of Ferrari models out there.

The bottom line, therefore, is simple: with a talk of Ferrari opens a chapter of unsurpassed quality, beauty, power and speed in automobile craft.