If a child is asked what their dream car is, you might get many different answers: a Lamborghini or a Porsche or another car from a major car manufacturer. But among these, the one whose primary color is Red, followed by the Giallo Modena. Obviously, we are talking about the Classic Ferrari for saleBut today, we are here to get to know its founder better, a strange man but who, with all the efforts of a lifetime, managed to create a world symbol. So let's go and find out 5 curiosities about the life of Enzo Ferrari.
Scuderia Ferrari: pride or personal revenge?
Many times we ask ourselves: how any Alfa Romeo worker/driver managed to found his own personal racing team? The "Old Man" was not just any person, however. After applying for a job at the FIAT and having been rejected, the feeling of revenge and retaliation towards the Turin house is increased more and more every day. So, thanks also to the funds from Alfa and the proceeds from some victories in minor races, he was appointed head of the Racing Department of the Biscione. But he was demoted there too and, at the time of the economic collapse of the company that had raised him, “inherited” cars and engineers thus creating the known time Scuderia Ferrari.
The circle will close in the mid 50s. FIAT together with the Lancia they owned the best racing cars of the time and, thanks to various agreements with the Agnelli, Enzo was able to get his hands on six splendid single-seaters P3. But, as in general in his life, Ferrari he won't appreciate the gesture as if it were due. In fact, despite knowing their great technological value, in front of his colleagues he will call them filth.
Lots of work and dedication, but with a fixed and precise routine
Ever since he became the real head of the racing department of the Scuderia (still linked to theAlfa Romeo), the “Commendatore” maintained a very specific routine. And that remained, with just one small change after the death of her son. DinoAfter breakfast, a stroll to the barbershop and immediately afterward to the late owner's grave. Then, off to the workshop to meticulously inspect the mechanics' work. He even didn't want anyone smoking inside.
So, the moment his arrival was felt, everyone they hid cigarettes in toolboxesFinally, Enzo locked himself in his office where he held all the interviews with the past figures within the team. This had become a real santuario, with images of the deceased son to honor his memory.
Aerodynamics? Never, just pure power.
Another curiosity about the life of Enzo Ferrari is his repudiation of theaerodynamicsOne of his famous quotes says: “Aerodynamics is for those who can't build engines.”. And he will remain of this idea, even when over the years '60 from England and Germany the car manufacturers will focus on other things. If the Modena owner was pushing to have the most powerful cars in the circus, in the rest of Europe, parts of the car that had never been taken into consideration were being analyzed.
If we wanted to stay more in the present, we were already talking about ground effect e aerodynamic grip. Many parts were starting to be complete carbon and every single component of the single-seater was evaluated. Enzo even refused to expand the wind tunnel, which could be defined as a “toy” when compared to that of the Lotus.
The best fuel? Rivalry
Many times since the creation of the Scuderia, Ferrari has found itself having “two chickens in one coop”. While for many this situation might seem like a problem, for him it was normal. On many occasions, he was the one who fueled the rivalry between the two figures for encourage them to do better. As it happened in the mid-1950s '30, when the very young Guy Moll and a more experienced one Achille varzi they waged "war" on and off the track. Or like when, at the beginning of the 1970s '80, the dispute between Mauro forghieri ed Harvey Postlethwaite will lead to the definitive exit of the Italian after a lifetime of service to the Commander.
Love for Nuvolari and the desperate search for his heir
As we have already said, it is not a new curiosity that Enzo Ferrari he hid his feelings very wellHe was rarely seen shaken in public or in any way other than his calm demeanor. Some deaths, for example, such as that of his son Dino or of Alberto Ascari marked him deeply. But there is something, or someone, that the founder of the Maranello team has always desperately sought: the new Tazio NuvolariFor the Old Man, the prototype of the perfect driver was this ex-motorcyclist who had moved on to the world of four wheels.
He was driving in a reckless, asking everything from the machine, even what it couldn't give him but which he could extract. No one during Enzo's life managed to have such a special place in his heart. Many came close, sometimes reminding him of the late Italian flag. Among them, Guy Moll himself, but also Juan Manuel Fangio (World Champion with Ferrari) and Gilles Villeneuve, who also tragically passed away.
