You might say that Ferrari’s 70th anniversary hasn't gone completely unnoticed. The extraordinary passion stirred up by this marque has generated such a huge global fanbase that there was never any doubt about the number and intensity of birthday celebrations that would take place this year.
The really big one, of course, was always going to be in Ferrari’s home town of Maranello, where Enzo Ferrari founded his firm in 1947 having already established himself in the racing world. The gathering of cars covering the last seven decades was suitably staggering in both volume and variety.
The multi-event celebration started with a Sotheby’s Ferrari-based auction where the prices fully reflected Ferrari’s lofty status. There was a 1994 Ferrari 333SP sports prototype at £2,346,000; an oxidising, dusty 1969 GT/B Daytona Berlinetta Alloy plucked from a Japanese hayloft at £1,472,000; and a 1959 250 GT LWB California Spider at just under £6.5 million.
The final auction lot was a special LaFerrari Aperta, the 210th in a run that was supposed to finish at 209. To be painted in a unique Rosso Fucco livery with a Bianco Italia racing stripe, the Ferrari went for £7.6 million, with all proceeds going to Save the Children. Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne got on the phones at one point to keep the bidding going.
A televised evening dinner for special guests was followed on the Sunday by a Ferrari-only Concours d’Elegance. Cars from all over the world arrived at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, some of them having been taking part in rallies timed to end at that time and place.
Every era of Ferrari road and track history was covered by the remarkable display, from a replica of the year-one 1947 125 S to the new Portofino open-top, unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show.
Outside Fiorano’s gates, thousands of tifosi (the collective name for Ferrari fans) lined the streets to get a glimpse of their metal heroes heading for the track – not just the Concours entrants, but the many other Ferraris brought along by enthusiastic owners eager to feel the vibe. Check out our gallery for the highlights.
