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Ferrari Cars

Is there anyone out there that does not understand the symbolism of Ferrari? Regardless of income and regardless of tastes, Ferrari is one car brand that is known the world over. Sleek design, superb performance, speeds of lighting, and exorbitant price tags are some of the characteristics that best describe a luxury vehicle. At over two-hundred miles per hour and half-a-million dollars, Ferrari certainly qualifies as luxury. And it is because of these traits that the name is so well-known, even to the point of idolization.

After a long and productive twenty-year racing history with Alfa Romeo, Enzo Ferrari left the company in 1939 to embark on a new adventure in which he set a goal to beat Alfa Romeo in a race car sporting his own name. Because he was not permitted to use the Ferrari name for four years henceforth, he established a company called Auto Avio Costruzioni. The first cars built were two versions of the 815, an eight-cylinder car scheduled to race in the 1940 Mille Miglia. The cars, however, were not successful and other than being his first creations are not particularly noteworthy.

With his new company called Ferrari created in 1943, Enzo begins to design the first real Ferrari in 1945 with V12 engine, and then, in 1947, test drives the new 125 S. Winning the Mille Miglia in 1948, the Lemans 24 Hour Race in 1949, and the Formula One World Championship Grand Prix in 1951 and again in 1952, the Ferrari legend begins. Although, Enzo Ferrari had already made a name for himself in the field of racing, the actual iconic company Ferrari is not known until 1947.

Milestones in Ferrari's History

• Interestingly, the emblem or logo which displays a Prancing Horse was actually given to Enzo in 1923 by Countess Baracca.
• From 1956 onward, all of Ferrari's V6 engines are named after his son Dino (formally Alfredo) who died that year of Muscular Dystrophy.
• 1960, Ferrari is registered as a Limited Liability Company, its official name being Società Esercizio Fabbriche Automobili e Corse Ferrari--SEFAC S.p.A .
• In 1969, Enzo forms a partnership with Fiat Group in order to continue the development of racing cars for which he has a passion. The agreement stipulates that Fiat will own fifty percent of Ferrari with Fiat controlling the passenger car division and permitting Enzo to guide the race car division. Ford was an initial contender but their deal never materialized.
• The F40, the last car to be built under Enzo's direction, is released in 1987.
• August 1988 Enzo dies at ninety years old.
• After Enzo's death, Fiat increases their share to ninety percent and the company name is changed to Ferrari S.p.A.
• The approximate price of a Ferrari F50 in 1997 was four-hundred and eighty-thousand dollars.
• Through the years, Fiat sells a minority portion of the shares but in 2006, they buy back enough to hold eighty-five percent of Ferrari. An interesting note about the ownership is that Piero Lardi Ferrari, Enzo's son from a woman other than his wife, presently owns about ten percent of Ferrari.
• Oddly, most people mistakingly believe that the cars are built in Modena but the factory is actually a few miles south in Maranello, Italy
• Ferrari's stylish elegance and luxurious features have always been designed by Pininfarina and the tradition continues today.
• In May 2009, a pontoon-fender 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (TR) was auctioned for the history-making price of over twelve million dollars, making it the most expensive car sold at auction. Only twenty units of this model were built and it became one of the most sought after models by collectors due to its racing prowess.

Various Models and Years Released:

• 1940 815 (two versions)
• 1947 125S
• 1948 166 Inter
• 1951 342 America
• 1953 250 Europa
• 1954 250 GT Coupé
• 1956 250 GT Berlinetta
• 1957 250 Testa Rossa
• 1959 250 GT Berlinetta Passo Corto
• 1965 1965 275 GTB Competizione
• 1972 Dino 246 GTS
• 1976 400 Automatic
• 1982 Mondial Quattrovalvole
• 1987 F40
• 1995 F355 Spider
• 1995 F50
• 1999 360 Modena
• 2000 Pininfarina Designed Rossa Ferrari
• 2002 Enzo
• 2002 575M Maranello
• 2003 Challenge Stradale
• 2007 612 Sessanta
• 2007 599
• 2009 F60
• 2009 430
• 2009 599 GTB Fiorano