Words: Rory FH Smith
Listing the 10 best Ferraris is a near impossible task but, if truth be told, there is really only one true Ferrari – the man from Maranello, Mr Enzo Ferrari. Finding his way into the auto industry after the collapse of his father’s carpentry business in 1929, Enzo went on to race for Alfa Romeo, running its motorsports team before setting up his own called Scuderia Ferrari. From these humble beginnings he grew a global brand that’s become synonymous with speed and style.
Now, as some of the most collectible pieces on the planet, Ferraris – such as the iconic 250 GTO – can fetch up to £45million apiece. Million pound models or otherwise, Ferrari created some of the most beautiful cars in the world until his death in 1988. With his legacy still stronger than ever, we chart the top ten Ferraris in existence.
Built between 1957 and 1957, the name Testa Rossa literally translates as Red Head. Built for competition racing, the cars were formidable on the racetrack, winning at Le Mans several times despite still being road legal car.
Officially named the 365 GTB/4, the car gained the unofficial name of Daytona from the media to celebrate Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Florida in 1967.
The last car produced under Enzo Ferrari’s reign, the F40 was arguably the world’s first hypercar with 470hp, polycarbonate windows, aluminium and composite body panels and a total weight of just 1100kg.
Perhaps the most sought-after classic car in the world, prices of 250 GTO’s have risen to a grand total of £30.5million since the last one sold at auction in 2014. The car was produced between 1962 and 1964 as a homologation special.
Named in memory after the great man who started it all, the Enzo continued the tradition of hypercars as the successor to the F40 and F50 in 2002. Using Formula One technology, the Enzo sported a carbonfibre body, ceramic disk brakes and F1-style paddle shift transmission.
The 410 Superamerica Carrozzeia Ghia harks back to the glory days of 1950’s car design. Revealed at the Brussels motor show in 1956, the ambitious design was the work of Italian design house Ghia.
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary Ferraris to have taken to the track, the 330 P4 was built with one purpose in mind: to beat Ford’s GT40 at Le Mans. Fortunately, it did just that in 1967 proving the investment as well worth it.
For those (very few) people who thought the 488’s predecessor was lacking in power, there was the F430 Scuderia. With enhanced performance, this track-warrior has been touted as one of the best drivers cars to come out of Maranello.
At the head of Ferrari’s current lineup – in terms of performance, at least – is the La Ferrari FXXK. The stripped out, hunkered down La Ferrari is available to purchase by invitation only despite the fact it can’t be used on the road.
Ferrari S.p.A.
This special commission, based on the Ferrari 488, was developed – in part – by Eric Clapton alongside Ferrari’s engineers and designers. The exact cost of the project is unknown but rumor has it that the music icon paid over £3million for the one-off.
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