Enzo Ferrarii

G.R. · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2002, 05:09 PM

Just watched a program on HINT(History International) Voyages covering the career of Enzo.
Thought it was very interesting--should be on a couple more times this evening.

I liked the comment toward the end (paraphrase)"He was never happier than when he was losing"

Cal Metal · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2002, 01:49 PM

Gary:

I have seen a piece on the History Channel which chronicles El Commentatore's illustrious career. Quite the Enzo. Hard to beat the looks of those 50 and early 60s Ferraris, too.

'Ole Shel made him eat a little crow, though. The GT-40 was the steamroller that put the exclamation point on the whole thing.

G.R. · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2002, 01:53 PM

I did notice though that the program seemed to skim over the GT-40 years of domination

Cal Metal · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 08:56 AM

Certainly, the Ford/Ferrari Wars were one of the more interesting 'blood sports' of the 60's. Henry II wasn't too keen on being spurned by Ferrari in his quest to take over the company. Made for a great rivalry, didn't it.

G.R. · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 05:01 PM

Yes quite a rivalry, indeed. It's too bad Ford quit and let the Euro mfgs again regain the top spots in racing for a number of years.

Fred Douglass · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 08:20 PM

Good post, G.R.,

A while ago, I read Dave Davis'(?) book called simply "Ferrari". It was intriguing and had a lot of insight into what really amounted to egotistical poseur. Depending on how you interpret the little stories, you could surmise that Enzo Ferrari was basically nuckin' futs! He was pretty much anti-innovation and anti-tech according to Davis!!! The book said that many of his cars went around sporting last decade's suspension. His only demand was that the engines be torque-monsters.

Interestingly, when I was 12 or so, there was a 1956 Testa Rossa at the Ferrari place across from the Phillips 66 marina at Port Everglades. My dad finagled a ride in it for me. The driver gladly complied at we ripped out Alligator Alley. It was the little 120 ci (?) four-banger, American blue-and-white livery. It just flat shreiked and the view from about 30" height of eye was unbelievable. Five years later, the car showed up at Falmouth Imports, on Cape Cod. For Sale! It was following me around! Alas, even though it was for sale $4500(!!!) I was not going to be able to buy it at age 16.

I would be interested if the livery, etc. indicated if it was part of Cunningham's scuderia. The driver was a reddish-blonde -haired guy with freckles. I wish it were, but doubt it was, Richie Ginther. The Ft. Lauderdale episode was just after a big
Bahamas Speed-week bash and (I think) a few weeks before some do up at Sebring. Car # was 45.

One of my buddies in college said that he saw the same car up a Watkins. He told me that the engine had "clothespin-
spring" valve-springs. Wouldn't surprise me. I imagine the car is long gone, and I also imagine that its velocities and g-numbers are pretty modest by todays standards. Nonetheless......

Scotland Forever, laddie!