Enzo. That subtle touch that completely changed her.

Who today could possibly imagine that the Enzo was originally proposed with a monumental rear wing? Obviously, no-one because that style model revealed to Luca di Montezemolo and a small group of company managers in the secret Pininfarina presentation room lived for just one day.

The characteristic doors that open upwards are designed to make it easier for the driver and the passenger to access the interior, given the very low ground clearance.

The car, perfectly red and exactly as we know it today, had a large F40-style wing. Too much. Too much because the world had moved on and with it, so had taste.

But Montezemolo, with his characteristic elegance, did not want to offend Sergio Pininfarina who had presented it with passion and expertise and extolled its dynamic efficiency, by simply saying that he did not like it. And so, he used a different tact, saying “Sergio, I'm sure you're good enough to get the same downforce without using a spoiler!”

Silence. Followed by the answer. “Now that’s a big challenge, but we’ll try.”

The Enzo does not use a rear wing but a small appendage that tilts slightly when it reaches speeds above 80 km/h. Most of the downforce is in fact generated by airflow beneath the car which, with the help of the rear extractors creates the necessary downforce.

And they succeeded perfectly, so much so that the Enzo, with its Formula 1 World Champion-inspired nose, is an undisputed icon for those who love collectible cars and its road qualities are universally acknowledged as superlative.

The Ferrari Enzo was developed by a truly exceptional test driver: Michael SchumacherThe Ferrari Enzo was developed by a truly exceptional test driver: Michael Schumacher.