Research the Ferrari automobile, and it will soon become apparent that it was built from one man’s passion for speed. Enzo Ferrari’s vision to build a superior automobile and dominate motor racing was an enduring obsession that never faded throughout his lifetime. A man deeply enamored by racing, Enzo’s aspirations would lead to world championships and a sports car brand that still defines prestige to this day. Unlike other manufacturers, Ferrari was not a car company that entered racing; it was a racing company that entered car production. Having just toured the Petersen Museum’s exhibit, “Maranello Masterpieces: The Legacy of Enzo Ferrari,” Sports Car Digest thought we were due to discuss some of the defining chapters of Enzo’s life and share some images from the exhibit.
Because of his drive for perfection and control, Enzo Ferrari earned the nickname “Il Commendatore” or “The Commander” in Italian.
Alfa Romeo
At the age of 10, Enzo Ferrari attended his first automobile race, the Coppa Florio, in Bologna. It had a profound effect on him, and 12 years later, he sold the house he grew up in to buy a race car. Enzo Ferrari’s journey with Alfa Romeo began in 1920 when he was employed as a test driver. Soon, his remarkable abilities were recognized, and he was appointed head of the racing division, Alfa Corse, in 1929. Under his stewardship, Alfa Romeo achieved significant victories, demonstrating Enzo’s deep understanding of race dynamics and automotive engineering. However, disagreements with Alfa Romeo’s management, coupled with his own unfulfilled aspirations of constructing his own vehicles, led him to sever ties with the company in 1939. Nevertheless, this tenure at Alfa Romeo solidified Enzo’s commitment to racing and automobile design.
