75 years ago today, Enzo Ferrari (1898-1988) rolled the first sports car he built from his eponymous factory gate in Maranello, Italy. The year is 1947 – and probably the most recognizable sports car brand in the world today was born. The first Ferrari, the 125 S (Sport), has already demonstrated features typical of all Ferrari cars of the following decades: a V12 engine with plenty of power and a sporty design that is also suitable for victories in the race.
Enzo Ferrari also built road cars as they financed his involvement in motorsport. And so “Commendatore” came out on top in the race. Ferrari cars were always awaited, both at Le Mans and at the Mille Miglia, soon also in Formula 1 and endurance racing in general. As a tribute to the work of the sports car manufacturer, Niki Hasler AG Basel is presenting an attractive special show on the occasion of Auto Zürich (10-13 November 2022), with a selection of legendary road cars and race cars from 75 years of Ferrari. ). Here is a selection of the most legendary models:
Ferrari 500 TRC from 1957
Introduced in 1956, the 500 TR had to be revised the following year to meet the new sector C regulations of the International Motorsport Code. The letter C in the name 500 TRC refers exactly to this fact. Designer Scaglietti designed a new, lower and thinner body. The model was used only by customers at races and did not immediately achieve significant victories. However, the car won its own category victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA) and 24 Hours of Le Mans (F) in 1957.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB
Presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1959, the 250 GT Berlinetta short wheelbase (passo corto) or “SWB” (Short Wheelbase) in English represented the perfect road race car. With just a few minor changes (low temperature spark plugs, racing tires and roll bar) car can race on all racetracks around the world and fight for victories in its class of vehicles.
Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione from 1965
At least two prototypes of this model were made in 1965. It is said that the Pininfarina body was originally designed for the new Berlinetta. But Enzo Ferrari decided against it, and already made cars were put into storage. They were later revised and their weight was reduced to make them suitable for motorsport competitions. Finally, it started at the Targa Florio (I), the 1000km on the Nürburgring (D), and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965. In 1966, a small series was made for customers with the same body as the production model.
1987 Ferrari F40
Enzo Ferrari personally drove the anniversary model F40 for the sports car manufacturer’s 40th birthday. The powerful sports coupe designed by Pininfarina is mainly made of composite material. The insane 478 hp for the time, combined with a high-performance turbocharged V8 engine and one of the most advanced chassis of its time, made the F40 pretty close to a race car. The fastest and most powerful road-legal Ferrari to date was the last model developed under the direction of Enzo Ferrari.
Ferrari 333 SP from 1994
The 333 SP marked Ferrari’s return to sports prototype racing, for which it was once famous. The car was made to give customers the opportunity to participate in sports prototype races. The first of these races for the F333 SP was the American IMSA Championship. The powerful V12 engine and advanced chassis helped the racer build a long and successful career on the world’s most important racetracks.
2016 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
Ferrari’s unique values are taken to a new level with the car launched in honor of the company’s 70th anniversary. The LaFerrari Aperta is a limited edition of a special series: only 210 examples of this open and nearly 1000 hp hybrid super sports car were made. The 210th model sold for 8.3 million euros at an RM Sotheby’s auction for a good cause, making the LaFerrari Aperta the most expensive Ferrari of the 21st century.