Classic Cars
From Italy
FERRARI S.p.A.
The famous Enzo Ferrari incorporated the
company in 1928 with a passion for automobile racing, particularly on the
European circuits.
In the early days, almost the entire production was therefore devoted to racing cars and few if any
"road" cars were ever produced. Additionally, the total production of these early models seldom
reached 100 and Enzo Ferrari's intention to build his cars purely for the racing
circuits is testimonial to the numbers produced, ranging from only 2 cars of the
125 S of 1947, to about 212 units of the 250 GT Cabriolet Pininfarina Series II of 1959.
(*1)
It was never my intention to create this record of classical cars other than for
the "normal" person whose interest in the genuine classics of the world, could
temp him/her to consider purchasing a car to form or add to a collection.
When less than 100 cars are produced, it is impossible and unrealistic to call that
car, "a classic" when so few people have or are ever likely to enjoy its beauty
and technical prowess.
For that reason, my selection of Ferrari classics is limited only to those that, within the realms
of possibility, you may at least SEE one, let alone have the ability to own it.
There are other sites which can cater for your dreams. Not here.
The Ferrari 275 GTB/4
(*2)
was the 3rd in a series of 4 only, 275 models of which 970 were produced. In 2004,
Sports Car International listed it as number 7 in the "Top Sports Cars of the
1960s". Considering the number of sports cars produced during that decade, the
275 GTB/4 was obviously something quite outstanding. Not just because of its
external and interior design because all Ferraris met the same superlative
designs, but also because of its racing prowess, comparative affordability,
Sadly, the list must stop here.
Join my Forum and have your say.
References
and
overall performance.
The
Ferrari 330 GTC of 1966 produced about 600 coupes and about 100 spiders to
follow the above 275 series.
The 330 came in 5 variants, the 330 P3 being purely a racer as opposed to
the other road cars.
It is my opinion that all 4 models from the 365 series of 1968 to 1976 are the best classics
from the Ferrari stable. Each one was sufficiently different from the other for an inexperienced
Ferrari owner to distinguish. It would be brave to select only one so I have chosen three with
higher production numbers, greater individualistic styling and more documented success.
*
top -
365 GTB/4 of which 1,284 were reported as having been produced.
*left -
the 1971 model of the 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider of which only 122 were produced.
Talk about low slung masculinity - this and other models ran up gainst American
regulations on minimum ride height when first introduced.
* bottom
- Just when we thought Ferrari may have reached the pinnacle of design
engineering, along came the 365 GT/4 2+2
(*3)
of which 525 graced our planet
between 1972 and 1976. A serious redesign left
little of the exterior from previous models;
it was given extra length but was equally low on the road. The revamped design
continues into many of the later models of the 1980s.
A
Ferrari enigma, the Dino range of 1969 displayed the small Ferrari logo on the
side panel but was not promoted as a part of the Ferrari stable. The story of
why and how can be read here
Only 152 of the 206 GT were produced but the second model, the 246 GTS produced
3,761 between 1969 and 1974. During this period, the Dinos were produced by
Fiat.
A
Ferrari 308 is a 308 whether its body was built predominantly from fibreglass or
steel. While only 712 fibreglass models were made and obviously the better
choice for collectors, the steel bodied variety is more for the average
collector when more than 11,300 were produced. Hence, this 308 GTB of 1977 must
be in my list.
Models excluded are either not produced in sufficient numbers to warrant the "road car" label
or slight variants of others already listed.
In years to come, many Ferrari road cars will be added.
Nominate your preference; Take a poll.
See my Blog.
*1 -
Wikipedia
*2 -
autodrome.fr
*3 -
Cardiff Classics
*4 -
AutoIndustrie