Ferrari from race to road: the stories behind Maranello’s enduring mystique

Ferrari is a brand with a mystique like no other. One of, if not the most recognisable, automotive manufacturer of them all, the Prancing Horse, or cavallino rampante, has grown to become more than just a car badge; it’s a representation of history, sporting success, power, status, passion, precision engineering and a whole lot more.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Ferrari is not the cars themselves, but the stories and the intrigue behind them. In Enzo Ferrari the company had a figurehead that nobody outside of his immediate circle really knew. A towering personality with a volcanic temperament who could dictate and manipulate his way to success. But Enzo was also a tortured soul who cared more than he would likely wish to admit. ‘Old Man’ Ferrari was an enigma of the sort we’ll never again see in the car world, but his reputation has no doubt infused each of his company’s products with something extra special.

Whether its screaming grand prix cars, evocative road racers, precision prototypes or luxury cruisers, Ferrari has form in all areas. While it has given rise to some of the world’s greatest four-wheeled wonders, Ferrari has also been a haven, or a hell, for some of motor racing’s greatest personalities. It is this sort of chequerboard history that keeps us writing about Maranello to this day.

It’s been almost half-a-decade since our last Ferrari special edition, and we’ve covered much ground since. This updated version of Ferrari: Race to Road therefore includes more recent features as well as those that appeared in the original, retelling some of the finest stories from The Scuderia and beyond.

Read more about Ferrari’s rich history and current activities in Motor Sport’s vast online archive. Visit: motorsportmagazine.com