The Ferrari company was born in 1920 when Italian entrepreneur and racing driver, Enzo Ferrari, founded the company while working for Alfa Romeo Automobiles during the 1920s where he also acted as a racing driver. Based in Modena, Ferrari did not initially produce race cars under the Ferrari moniker but instead contributed to the construction of many Alfa Romeo cars like the legendary, 158 Grand Prix racer, before finally ending its association with Alfa in 1938.
The Second World War hindered much of Ferrari’s production (like most of Europe’s businesses), but it was during this time that Ferrari moved from Modena to Maranello to begin the empire that it retains to this day. Following the war, Ferrari first used the incredible V12 engine that it became famous for, and in 1947 the company’s most famous classic model was born, the 125 S. This supercar put Ferrari firmly ahead of is competitors and the company expanded by establishing factories in the United States, the fastest growing economy in the world. The 1950s were a glorious decade for Ferrari, with iconic engineers like Aurelio Lampredi, Vitorri Jano, and Pinin Farina designing a number of road cars that quickly conquered the domestic supercar market, usurping the control of their old associate, Alfa Romeo. By the end of the decade, a total of 300 different Ferrari cars were in production.
The 60s found greater competition from other motor companies whose production had recovered following their post-war economic difficulties, but still Ferrari’s racing victories came thick and fast with driver, Phil Hill, memorably winning the Formula 1 championship in 1961, driving a V6 race car nicknamed “Dino.” Despite remaining a huge corporation, Ferrari incurred many financial problems leading to a buy-out from Ford in 1969.
Ferrari remained strong in the face of the 1970s gas crisis that negatively affected supercar production. During this time Ferrari created outstanding models like the Dino 246 with its V6 engine and the GT/4 Berlinetta Boxer, but it was in 1985 that they unveiled their true masterpiece and still most recognisable car, the Testarossa. Another fantastic supercar that strengthened the company’s global prestige was the convertible Mondial.
Enzo Ferrari died in 1988 aged 90, but he lived long enough to see his most ambitious work become a reality, the F40, a supercar built to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Ferrari manufacture. Boasting a carbon-fibre body, Kevlar panels, and a giant wing, the F40 it was one of the most monumental undertakings in automobile history.
Ferrari was succeeded as Vice president of the company by his son, Piero, who helped lead the Ferrari driving experience into an exciting new era in which smaller engine cars receive as much attention as larger ones, such as the F355 series of V8 engines. However, this hasn’t stopped production of Major V12 vehicles, like the new variations on the Testarossa being built. The popularity of Ferrari on the racing circuit also hasn’t diminished, with Michael Schumacher winning five Formula1 championship titles while driving for Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari’s incredible work has never been forgotten though, and in 2003 an amazing 230-mph supercar named in his honour was introduced.
