By Pete Vack
Photos by Hugues Vanhoolandt
Forlorn Ferraris…Ok, that’s a good word. Forlorn, meaning neglected, pitiful, lost…..yet not too mean, like ugly, oddball or oddity.
The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
By pete
By pete
I don’t know how many people are aware that there are prancing horse ceramic tiles made in Italy specifically for the Ferrari factory. A good number, I assume. I got mine from Hilary Raab back in 2000. Then my neighbor Dave Rex happened to mention that he had a few, still in the original box. And when I asked AutoMobilia Editor Marshall Buck about these beautiful black and yellow tiles, he said he had one too! But all of us wanted to know more about them. Marshall ran with it and here is his story….
Story by Marshall Buck
Here is what I know, which I’m sure is not the complete history. I’ve heard and read various bits of information and stories about the use of these tiles in other locations, some verified, and some not. I admit that I have not delved too deeply into this; I know more than some, and less than others – pretty much just enough to be dangerous!
By pete
Story by Pete Vack
Photos by Alan Boe unless otherwise marked
It was raced first by Franco Cortese, then the great and soon-to-be late Raymond Sommer. It was owned by the aristocratic Besana brothers and sent to South America and participated in a multitude of events and returned to Italy to win the GP of Bari. It was then adorned with a unique Motto body which was later removed. It may have been driven at some point by Tazio Nuvolari.
By pete
Story by Wallace Wyss
Where are the modern day playboys?
I don’t think they stand out as much as the playboys of the ’50s. Probably not politically correct nowadays.
One of my favorites in the tabloids back then was Ferrari-driving Porfirio Rubirosa, from the Dominican Republic, born in 1909.
This guy didn’t come from money so it’s a bit of a mystery how he ended up with homes in Paris and Palm Beach. His claim to fame was in two sports: polo and racing. His name is associated with several significant competition Ferraris.
By pete
Parody, April 1, 2019
Words and illustrations by Richard Bartholomew
A renegade group of disgruntled Ferrari mechanics has possibly been committing atrocities on certain Ferraris, but so far nobody is sure of what the heck is going on. Some owners of the fabled Italian brand have reported returning from vacations and finding their prized Ferraris refurbished and redone in odd ways. Inside jobs are suspected but nobody has taken credit yet. The changes range from the simplistic, like the Cyclops-Dino in our lead image, to fantastic, complex modifications like making an SUV out of Testarossa. [Read more…] about Ferrari Owners Mystified by Modifications
By pete
Above, original art, ‘Rendezvous with 458 Italia’ by Chad Glass.
By Stephen Mitchell
Artwork by Chad Glass
From the Archives, July 20, 2011
Would it be possible to recreate Claude Lelouch’s legendary film ‘Rendezvous?’ Director Stephen Mitchell thought so and he had plan. [Read more…] about Rendezvous in a Ferrari
By pete
Below is an anecdote from Ermanno Cozza’s new autobiography, “Maserati at Heart” about the Ferrari team at the 1952 Mexican Road Race, combined with some rare photos from Chris Cooper of one of those rare Ferrari Mexicos, 0224 AT, which is also documented by Alan Boe in a related article in last week’s VeloceToday. (Read 0224 AT).
By Pete Vack
Photos by Chris Cooper
In his remarkable memoir, Ermanno Cozza tells the story of Antonio Reggiani, a skilled engineer and carburetor specialist who worked at Ferrari before coming to Maserati.
By pete
Story and photos by Alan Boe except as noted
There is no other Ferrari quite like it. The hood from the nose of the car back to the windshield tapes out at almost 78 inches; the midpoint of the 102.3 inch wheelbase is ahead of the base of the windshield; vertical spoilers, or air foils, are used on each door to route air along the sides of the car and into ducting ahead of the rear wheel openings for improved tire cooling, certainly the earliest obvious use of an aerodynamic device on a Ferrari; vestigial fins appear on each rear fender, and check out those wild front fender fins, or headlight blinders, all very distinctive design touches, and unique to the four 340 Mexico Ferraris.
By pete
Story by Roberto Motta
Photos Centro Documentazione Storica Ferrari e Archivio Automobile Club Milano
The 312 P powered by the V12 engine is a beautiful but unfortunate car, and never won a victory during its brief racing career. However, it is one of the most aesthetically satisfying cars ever made in the Ferrari workshops, and is the last prototype made before the agreement the agreement between the ‘prancing horse’ brand and FIAT.
The story begins when, after boycotting sports car racing in 1968 season to protest a rule change that banned their 4-litre 330 P4, Ferrari built a 3000cc prototype for the 1969 season, based on the existing F1 Ferrari 312 with a 60 degree V12. It was presented to the press on December 14th 1968 at the Fini Hotel in Modena. During the meeting, Enzo Ferrari announced his intention to participate in the 1969 Manufacturers World Championship with the car, called the 312 P for prototype.
By pete
Story by Roberto Motta
Put together in just three months by a team headed by Mauro Forghieri, the 512 is one of most iconic cars ever built by the Maranello factory. The Ferrari 512 is one of the cars that represent the last mystical period of high level motor racing that was filled with danger, heroism and an almost sexual attraction. Yet it posted only one major win in its career.
By pete
Story and Photos of 0488 AM by Alan Boe
Three Kings met, with historic results: King Leopold requested it, Enzo Ferrari built it, Pinin Farina styled it.
Royalty and expensive motor cars just seem to go together. You know the types…Park Ward Rolls-Royces, Grosser Mercedes, and stretched limousines of various manufacture. They’re a normal part of any royal retinue. And why not? We’ve come to expect it.
By pete
In this article author Barry Farr describes the background to his book “Ferraris in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s” which is a comprehensive written and pictorial history of all the Ferraris that entered the land down under during the 1950s and 1960s. [Ed.]
By Barry Farr
Whilst the likes of Jose Froilan Gonzales and Luigi Chinetti helped establish the Ferrari marque internationally, Ferrari’s presence in Australia was fostered by Englishman Peter Whitehead, Melbournian Bill Lowe and Sydney-sider David McKay. The common factor among these three gentlemen was that each was an esteemed racer in his own field – Whitehead in F1, Lowe in hill climbs and McKay in touring and sports cars. As well, McKay was a respected motoring journalist and thus spread the word about his Ferrari exploits. [Read more…] about Ferraris in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s