Enzo Ferrari: The Legend Lives On

19 Nov

*Enzo offers American driver Phil Hill some encouragement before the Monza Grand Prix, 1958*

As legend has it, every morning in Modena Italy, Enzo Ferrari would refuse to sit down to talk business until he had visited his barber. Every year the immaculately-coiffed car maker — and honorary ‘Emperor of Rome’ — would send his groomer a personally signed postcard with thanks for the warm memories forged during those sessions.

It’s a nice touch, and one that has not gone unnoticed by collectors of Ferrari automobilia. The postcards have become coveted collector’s items in part because anything touched by Enzo is seen as carrying an inherent aura, a modicum of the genius that created what many consider to be the world’s most successful luxury brand.

Yet, that cult of personality is not the only thing driving the global fascination for automobilia and, in particular, for all things Enzo.

Marque-branded objects are often used by their designer as a way to familiarise audiences to what makes their cars unique or give owners bespoke pieces that can mirror their beloved automobile.

In Ferrari’s case, everything from business card holders to humidors and larger and grander items approved by the firm are crafted with a focus on materiality and attention to detail as to emulate the level of craft that can be found within their vehicles.

Such is the case with the three piece set of Schedoni luggage for the Ferrari Testarossa included later in this catalogue. Schedoni — the iconic Italian leather-goods and luggage manufacturer — has been making bespoke pieces for the flat-12 supercar since 1977 and these items’ proportions and materiality, clasps and interior are de facto ambassadors for the beauty of the early Testarossa.

Automobilia can also be something else: souvenirs from racing history imbued in a way with the ‘magic’ that unfolded on particularly memorable events on the racecourse. That pilot’s helmet from a seminal race, the model car with the exact livery used by one’s favourite driver… they are all celebrations and reminders of the past. In this catalogue we are featuring a 1:4 scale model of the Ferrari Barchetta 166 MM driven by Luigi Chinetti when he won the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is said that this triumph was the one that put Enzo’s company well and truly on the map.

Automobilia, however, is sometimes something a lot simpler: unadulterated fandom. These objects gush with wide-eyed admiration for a marque and in this case: the man. In this catalogue we are featuring several paintings of Ferrari vehicles as well as a statue of Enzo Ferrari titled Master of Modena by Larry Braun. Numbered 19 of 21, the stunning bronze object puts the legend of the man in three dimensional form and as a sort of hero within his element. Enzo Ferrari’s legacy of sportsmanship and exactitude has earned a reputation that is unparalleled in the world of luxury. Even though he is no longer around, his legend lives on in the craft and spirit of the vehicles and objects left behind.