Ferrari Forever – A Celebration Of 75 Years At The Modena Museum

Ferrari are celebrating 75 years with a special Ferrari Forever anniversary display of cars at the museum in Modana.

This is a first as it allows members of the public access to the Ferrari Classiche department which they do not normally have.

It was 75 years ago, on the 12 March 1947, that Enzo Ferrari started the first Ferrari, the 125 S. This was the first car to pass through the gates at Maranello and was a statement of intent. The following years were to build on craftsmanship, dedication and innovation. The automotive masterpieces the company has produced are testimony to that.

Ferrari Classiche was set up in 2006, the department was unique as it was designed to protect the valuable heritage that classic Ferraris represent and to cater for owner’s needs. Each of the cars on display have been through the department and come with that all important Ferrari Certificate of Authenticity.

Ferrari Forever represents the work that the department carries out and the services on offer. Owners can have their cars certified with the Certification of Authenticity process which gives an official document from the factory certifying the authenticity of their car. This is reserved for all Ferrari road cars.

The exhibition takes the visitors through the maintenance and restoration carried out by Ferrari Classiche. The processes employed are designed to bring the cars back to their original condition.

To do this relies on having access to the foundry and machine tools that produced the original parts. Specialists with many years of experience have detailed knowledge of each of the cars and a great deal of knowledge of Ferrari engines.

There is a great deal of focus on the historical archive, a collection of perfectly preserved assembly sheets of every Ferrari ever produced since 1947. Having access to these records ensures the work done by the Classiche department conforms exactly to the original design and specification.

Fifteen cars that have been officially certified are on display and include some that have been restored by the department.

Ferrari 250 Europa, 250 GT Competizione Tour de France, 250 GT Cabriolet

The display contains some unique vehicles like the 1956 250 GT Competizione Tour de France built by designer and coachbuilder Sergio Scaglietti. Many of the most beautiful Ferrari’s come from that master coachbuilders’ workshops. The 250 GT has been a huge motorsports success and has one of the most extensive trophy cabinets as a result of a record number of victories in the GT class.

Another rare 250 GT is the 1959 250 GT Cabriolet which was built in limited numbers by Pinin Farina. This version was aimed at sophisticated clients who would take them to the Côte d’Azur and California. One of the most elegant open topped GTs ever made, the Ferrari Gran Turismo offered style and comfort. It could be seen at the most exclusive events and in Hollywood films as well as being a part of the actor’s daily transportation. International jet setters like Barbara Hutton were amongst the owners.

Ferrari 375 MM

Ferrari Dino 246, 275 & Daytona

1953 Ferrari 500 Mondial

In addition to the cars on display there is also the opportunity to see unique, original artefacts like the “mascherone” from the 1953 Ferrari 500 Mondial. During production the reference template was needed to make the cars to the designers’ intent. Coachbuilders would use this template to complete the car’s silhouette by shaping aluminium sheets by hand and sewing them together.

This structure is beautiful in its own right and shows how the craftsmanship was developed at Ferrari between the 1940s and 1960s.

If you want to see the exhibition it will be open until the 17 February 2023 at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena.

Thanks to Ferrari for the images and video,

Simon

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