From Modena to the world

The true story of Enzo Ferrari is the one we have told you during these twelve episodes that you can find, in sequence, like the chapters of a book, here. True and unknown to those who see Ferrari as an established certainty, as if it had always been there and had not, instead, followed a path as enlightened as it is unique, determined by the lucidity and talent of Enzo Ferrari. A path that began in 1915 when the young Enzo discovered, realizing that nothing was impossible, that an Italian driver – Raffaele Di Palma, Americanized into Ralph De Palma – had won the Indianapolis race, and finished in 1953 after the first two World Titles in Formula 1 and the victories in the world’s most famous races such as the Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana. At the end of 1952 Ferrari, from a young, promising driver to the brilliant inventor of the Scuderia, as a skilful pioneer of the power of symbols, with his Prancing Horse against a yellow background and with the brands of his sponsors in the official photos (something that was unheard of in the 1930s), from the head of Alfa Romeo racing team to a constructor in his own right, had managed to build himself global fame and recognition. Above all, he had become the symbol of success at a time when the world, having emerged from the war with everything to rebuild, had changed gears. The automobile was rapidly becoming the ambition of many and America was fascinated by Europe’s creative brilliance in this field.

1931. Enzo Ferrari’s final race at the Circuito delle Tre Province. Well ahead of the rest of the field, proving his outstanding talent, he was defeated in the end by Tazio Nuvolari, a driver who was to play an important role in his life.

For this wonderful story that many of you have followed and appreciated on the pages of TCCT, we must thank Luca Dal Monte, author of a magnificent book, also published in English, entitled Ferrari REX and dedicated to the entire life of Ferrari. A book that no appassionato of the marque should be without. Dal Monte studied all kinds of documents over many years and spoke with those who, in various ways, were present at some point in Enzo Ferrari’s life. Ferrari Rex, 1,100 pages worth reading like a novel, in which every word is meticulously weighed, analysed, studied and considered to give the right sense of things, is published by Giunti - Giorgio Nada Editore. Well worth ordering!

1935. The Alfa Romeo Bimotore was actually the first Ferrari: built in Modena, it went on to conquer the speed record with Nuvolari.

What have we forgotten? A little of his private life, the tormented relationship with his wife Laura, many episodes related to the suffering of having to honour the cruel fate of his son Dino, the beautiful relationship with the mother of his other son, Piero, who bears the Ferrari name today inherited by his young grandson Enzo who, and this is a wonderful thing, has started working at Ferrari. Unfortunately, we had to leave out a great deal of interesting facts. But we know that we have made a valid contribution towards a better understanding of one of the automobile greats. It is no coincidence that we want to use the illustration specially made by Massimo Grandi, the highly-talented creator of all the images of this passionate story, that depicts Enzo together with three of his great sports cars ready to set out on yet another victorious Mille Miglia. Enzo, proud of his Italian heritage and Modenese roots, dearly loved that race which was, and remains to this day, a symbol of the creativity of a country full of unforgettable surprises.

1936. The return from a great success: the three Alfa Romeos that had just come off the Rex ocean liner after the brilliant victory at the Vanderbilt Cup in Roosevelt Field, New York.

1940. Ferrari made his debut as a constructor with the Sport 815, but could not use his name under the terms of the agreement with Alfa Romeo after they parted ways. A valuable experience that was immediately interrupted by the Second World War.

1947. Finally a real Ferrari: the 125 S, in its second race, won at the Rome Grand Prix. At the wheel, Franco Cortese who also took car of the car’s development.

1951. The first victory in the Formula 1 World Championship came with the 375 driven by José Froilán González who beat the great Juan Manuel Fangio driving an Alfa Romeo.

1952/1953. Ascari dominated the F1 World Championships with the Ferrari 500 F2, winning two world titles.

Ferrari REX. An invaluable book for those who want to know the true successes of Enzo Ferrari: a complete and in-depth analysis of an extraordinary and unique life.

A symbolic image that looks towards tomorrow: with customer drivers and famous celebrities clamouring for his cars, Ferrari knew how important road races were and always proposed new models to win the race he loved the most: the Mille Miglia.*