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50 Legendary Ferraris

Vukasin Herbez April 3, 2019

Even if you are not a car enthusiast, you probably have heard of the name, Ferrari. The mythical brand from Maranello has produced some of the finest sports and racing cars. For over 70 years, it stood as the symbol of performance, speed and passion. Established in the late ‘30s, Ferrari was an obscure brand until the late ‘40s when their first model saw the light of day.

Concentrating on racing and constant development, soon, Ferrari was one of the most successful manufacturers in the sports car class. Today, it’s a household name that has become infamous and respected well beyond the automotive world. And nowadays, Ferrari is the giant of the industry and the most recognizable Italian car company in the world.

But, how is it possible for a small workshop in Northern Italy to become a dominant name in the racing and car industry? Here is a list of the 50 best Ferraris they ever made. They will illustrate the evolution of their ideas, as well as the passion behind the cars. Even now, they continue to strive to achieve automotive perfection. So, keep reading to learn much more about this iconic brand.

  1. Auto Avio Construzioni 815

The first car Enzo Ferrari fully designed and built was the Auto Avio Construzioni 815 in 1940. It was a handsome two-seater roadster with a 1.5-liter straight eight engine producing 75 HP. They only produced the car in two examples. Soon, people forgot it due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

  1. Ferrari 125 S

The established Ferrari in 1947, introducing its first real car – the 125. This was a small roadster that drivers could use as a road car and a racer, as well. Under the hood was a 1.5-liter V12 engine with 118 HP, so it delivered a vivid performance by the standards of the day.

  1. Ferrari 166 S

Ferrari 166 was introduced in 1948 and marked Ferrari`s entry into the Gran Turismo market. It was a closed head coupe with 2.0-liter V12 which produced 140 HP. As all early Ferraris, the 166 S also had some racing success.

  1. Ferrari 212 Export

Ferrari presented the 212 Export in 1951. And it was another road/race model drivers could get with a closed or open body. Also, the engine grew to 2.6 liters and the power jumped to 170 HP. Ferrari produced the 212 in 28 examples, which was considered a success.

  1. Ferrari 342 America

In the early ‘50s, Enzo Ferrari decided to present a model that would be a pure road car. Also, he wanted to load it up with lots of luxury items and a powerful engine. That model was the 342 America they equipped with a closed body and a big 4.1-liter V12 producing 197 HP. Sadly, they only built six of them due to the high price.

  1. Ferrari 250 Europa

The Europa, which Ferrari introduced in 1953, marked the start of the legendary 250 Series, which included some of the most legendary classic Ferraris. The chassis was new and under the hood was a 3.0-liter V12 engine pumping out around 200 HP. And that was a big number by the standards of the day.

  1. Ferrari 375 America

Continuing on the super-luxury theme, Ferrari introduced the 375 America. It came with an upgraded engine and interior as well as different body styles. As always, they limited the production, which ceased in 1955.

  1. Ferrari 250 GT

Ferrari based the 250 GT on the 250 Europa. It was Ferrari’s main model all the way up to 1964. Also, it was the definition of the 250 Series and one of the first Ferraris they produced in significant numbers, which brought some financial security to the factory.

  1. Ferrari 410 Superamerica

Pushing the boundaries of engine capacity and construction, Enzo introduced the 410 Superamerica in 1955. It had a 5.0-liter V12 with 340 horses they based on a racing engine, which delivered a brutal performance. Ferrari built just 35 of them until 1959.

  1. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

Even though Ferrari produced numerous racing cars, the 1958 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most popular and significant. Although they based it on the 250 architecture, they gave it dozens of improvements. In fact, this car was one of the most successful race cars of the period.

  1. Ferrari 250 GT California Spider

Ferrari based the 250 GT California Spider on the regular 250 Convertible. However, Enzo Ferrari introduced this special version featuring a racing engine. The Spider came with better performance in a gorgeous open top package. Although Ferrari offered it until 1960, they only built about 55 of them.

  1. Ferrari 250 SWB

Although they often used the regular 250 Series models in GT races, the factory decided to offer a shorter wheelbase or the SWB version. It was lighter, more compact and somewhat faster than the standard car. The car proved to be popular with gentleman racers, winning many GT races in the late ’50s and early ’60s.

  1. Ferrari 250 GTE

On the other end of the 250 spectrum, there was the newly introduced 250 GTE. Ferrari constructed it as a four-seater GT car or 2+2. They designed the car for people looking for a comfortable cruiser. And it proved to be popular with well to do buyers of the early ’60s.

  1. Ferrari 250 GTO

Probably the most legendary, sought after and valuable classic Ferrari is the 250 GTO. They presented the car in 1962 as the high performance/racing version of the 250 series. But in fact, it was a separate model due to numerous changes to the engine and chassis. The 3.0-liter V12 delivered around 300 HP, making the car a sure winner on race tracks all over the world.

  1. Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso

For the end of the production of the fantastic 250 Series in 1964, Ferrari prepared the Lusso. It was a luxury version with a new body, a few improvements and a beautiful design. It sold well and marked the end of the era for factory and fans worldwide.

  1. Ferrari 250 LM

Despite the name and the 3.0-liter engine, the 250 LM wasn’t a true part of the 250 Series. That is because they introduced it at the end of the production and also because it was a mid-engine model with racing aspirations. However, it never successfully raced and they only produced 35 of them.

  1. Ferrari 275 GTB

The successor to the 250 GT was the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB. It had a slightly bigger V12 engine, more performance and better technology. However, it retained the classic design with a long front end and short rear. Ferrari sold it as a coupe and a convertible with the GTC nameplate.

  1. Ferrari 330 2+2

Since a lot of Enzo Ferrari’s customers wanted a comfortable long-distance cruiser, he introduced the 330 2+2 in 1965. It came with an upgraded V12, a plush interior and a softer suspension. Also, the car was distinctive looking with four headlights and a longer body.

  1. Ferrari 500 Superfast

In 1964, Ferrari presented the 500 Superfast as the spiritual successor to those Superamerica cars of the late ‘50s. It was their goal to offer over the top motoring to their rich clients. The 5.0-liter V12 delivered 400 HP, while Pininfarina designed the bespoke body with a place for four occupants. But due to the high price, they only made 35 cars.

  1. Ferrari 275 GTB/4

Although only an upgraded version of the standard 275, the GTB/4 is an important model. It was the first Ferrari to feature four camshafts; hence the name. Also, it was one of the most advanced road cars of the period. Best of all, the improved engine provided improved performance and far better acceleration numbers, too.

  1. Ferrari 330 GT

The 330 GT was a Gran Turismo coupe available as a closed or open version, which was the basic V12 Ferrari in the mid-60s. It was popular with wealthy enthusiasts and provided all the charms of the brand in one comprehensive package.

  1. Ferrari 246 Dino

The Dino was a big step for the company even if it was the smallest model Ferrari ever made. They introduced it in the mid-60s as the 206 Dino. It was a small, entry-level model with a V6 engine. The car was inexpensive and a true competitor to the Porsche 911.

When Ferrari presented the 246 Dino in 1968, their sales picked up. And that is what made this little car responsible for the financial stability Ferrari needed.

  1. Ferrari P4

When the ‘60s came to an end, Ferrari was attacked on the racing tracks and needed to fight back. Their answer was a new racing model in the form of the 330 P4, which debuted in 1967. A gorgeous body, high revving V12 and advanced technology were the key features of this model.

  1. Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

Ferrari presented the Daytona in 1968 and it proved to be an extremely important and advanced car. It featured four camshafts on an upgraded V12 engine. Also, it came with an independent rear suspension, discs all around and a transaxle gearbox. Thanks to pumping out a whopping 300 HP, it raced the Daytona as one of the best and fastest GT cars of the period.

  1. Ferrari 365 GTC/4

Ferrari introduced the 365 GTC/4 in the early ‘70s. They based it on the Daytona as the name suggests, but it came with a different design. It had a wedge shape and a little less interior space. And that is what made it less popular with customers, even though the performance was slightly better.

  1. Ferrari 365 GT4/400 GT

Ferrari revealed the 365 GT4 in 1972, selling it until the late ‘80s. The 365 GT4, which they later called the 400 and 412i were Ferrari’s four-seater models with a comfortable interior. Best of all, they came with a modern design and a big V12 in the front. Also, it was the first Ferrari they offered with an automatic transmission, which suited the nature of this car.

  1. Ferrari 308/208/328 GTB

The mid-70s marked the introduction of the Ferrari 308 GTB, the spiritual successor to the Dino. Once again, the company presented a smaller, less expensive, and easier to live with model with a 3.0-liter V8 engine, thrilling performance and compact dimensions. Due to the mid-70s recession, the 308 soon outsold bigger cars, becoming an extremely popular and important model for the factory.

  1. Ferrari 512 BB

Following the ‘70s trend, Ferrari introduced the mid-engined 512 Berlinetta Boxer in 1976. It was the continuation of the 365 GT4 BB they presented a few years prior. The 512 BB had a 5.0-liter flat 12 engine that sat behind the passengers. Better yet, it delivered 360 HP and a fantastic performance.

  1. Ferrari Mondial

A new era in Ferrari history was in 1980, and one of the first ‘80s cars was the Mondial. Infamous as one of the least loved Ferraris, the Mondial was a good car with decent performance. Its 2+2 seating made it practical and popular with car buyers, which helped the company stay in the market.

  1. Ferrari 288 GTO

A full 22 years after the release of the original Ferrari 250 GTO, Enzo presented the 288 GTO. It was a mid-engined car they designed for racing. It had a 2.9-liter turbocharged V8 engine that delivered 400 HP. However, just before the 288 GTO could participate in racing, the FIA canceled the class. And although that made this car obsolete, it is still an important piece of Ferrari history.

  1. Ferrari Testarossa

The ultimate ‘80s Ferrari is definitely the Testarossa. Ferrari introduced it in 1984 and based it on their 512 BB architecture. Also, it came with a flat 12 engine and a rear engine configuration. But what made it famous was the styling and brutal performance that helped it become a legend with car fans everywhere.

  1. Ferrari F40

Ferrari introduced the F40 in 1987. They conceived it as a commemorative model to mark the company’s 40th anniversary. However, it was much more than that. It was and still is one of the greatest sports cars they ever built as well as one of the best Ferraris they ever produced.

In fact, most of the chassis and drivetrain came from the 288 GTO. However, they upgraded the engine to produce around 450 HP.

  1. Ferrari 348 TB

The Ferrari 308/328 GTS proved extremely successful throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. But in 1989, it was time for a change. And they called this change the 348 TB. It came with an all-new chassis, engine and design to deliver a modern performance. Although the styling was reminiscent of the Testarossa, the V8 engine was new.

  1. Ferrari 456 GT

Following their tradition of fast Gran Turismo four-seater cars, Ferrari introduced the 456 GT in the early `90s. It came with a V12 engine up front and a gorgeous Pininfarina-designed body. This model was also the last one that Enzo Ferrari personally approved since the legendary founder of Ferrari died in 1989.

  1. Ferrari F355

Ferrari presented the F355 in 1995, and it was one of the last classic Ferrari models to feature the V8 engine. With its advanced mechanics, it provided the perfect handling. They based it on the 348 TB but upgraded it in every way. And because the market responded extremely well, the F355 became one of their bestsellers.

  1. Ferrari F50

To continue the theme of the F40, Ferrari introduced the F50 in 1995. They offered it as a coupe or a convertible. The idea behind the F50 was to present a Formula One car with license plates. And behind the passengers was a race-derived 4.9-liter V12 with 520 HP, delivering a fantastic performance.

  1. Ferrari 550 Maranello

In 1996, Ferrari returned to the classic Gran Turismo layout with the new 550 Maranello. The car featured a front-mounted 5.5-liter V12 delivering 485 HP and a transaxle gearbox. Better yet, the design could be connected with the Daytona and other famous GT models from the past. It was a sales success and one of the best driving models from the period.

  1. Ferrari 360 Modena

Famous as “The first Ferrari of the 21st century,” Ferrari presented the 360 Modena in 1999. It featured a new chassis, engine and design. Interestingly, they designed the car with the help of a computer. Also, it had a semi-automatic F1 gearbox with paddle shifters, which was a big deal back in the day.

  1. Ferrari Enzo

The market expected the F60, but once again, Ferrari surprised their enthusiasts. And they did that with the Ferrari Enzo, a supercar from 2004. It was the spiritual successor to the F40 and F50 that featured even crazier specifications. They equipped it with a high revving 6.0-liter V12 engine that produced 660 HP and a special F1-styled automatic gearbox for the ultimate performance.

  1. Ferrari 599 Fiorano

In 2006, Ferrari presented the next Gran Turismo fighter with a front-mounted V12 producing 620 HP. They named the car the 599 Fiorano, which is Ferrari’s test track. It was the successor to the 550 Maranello. And despite its controversial design, it became a bestseller.

  1. Ferrari F430

The F430 was a successor to the 360 Modena. It featured an improved drivetrain and new engine. Also, it had a fresh interior and provided better performance figures. It also had more wedge-shaped looks with improved aerodynamics. Behind the driver was a 4.3-liter V8 pumping out 490 HP. As you can expect, the performance was sublime.

  1. Ferrari California

Almost 50 years after the original 250 California, Ferrari presented a new model under the same name. It wasn’t a limited production car, but an entry-level, mass-produced Ferrari. It came with a folding metal roof and a front-mounted engine from the F430. The combination proved effective, so California has become a successful model in the Ferrari lineup.

  1. Ferrari 458 Italia

Even though the 360 Modena and F430 were immensely good sports cars, the 458 Italia, which Ferrari introduced in 2010 became the ultimate model in its class. Simply, it beat any other sports car, and not just in magazine testing, but also on the track. The 458 Italia spawned several versions. In fact, the car is still in production and in high demand.

  1. Ferrari 599 GTO

The 599 Fiorano with its front-mounted V12, 620 HP, and perfect driving dynamic was the perfect basis for GTO treatment. So, in 2010, the 599 GTO saw the light of day. It delivers 670 HP and with a lightweight body, it improved the performance.

  1. Ferrari FF

In 2011, Ferrari did the unimaginable. They introduced a shooting brake model with all-wheel drive and a hatchback rear door. Ferrari called it the FF and it was a Gran Turismo four-seater model. And best of all, it has the capacity to jump continents at high speeds with the safety of an all-wheel drivetrain.

  1. Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta marked the continuation of the front-engine-rear wheel drive concept they resurrected with the 550 Maranello and continued with the 599 Fiorano. The F12 also introduced the new 6.3-liter V12 engine that produces an unbelievable 740 HP.

  1. Ferrari La Ferrari

Although it has a strange name, in 2012 Ferrari presented this ultimate road-going model and successor to the Enzo. It was a big step forward for the company since the LaFerrari was the first hybrid car to combine a V12 engine with the KERS system. With a combined output of 950 HP, the La Ferrari is one of the fastest cars of the 21st century.

  1. Ferrari 488

Ferrari based the 488 on the 458 Italia, and it marks their return to the turbocharged V8 engine, which they last used in the ‘80s. Because modern technology and competition made those naturally aspirated engines obsolete, so Ferrari needed to turn to turbocharging. Needless to say, the Ferrari 488 is one of the best cars in its class.

  1. Ferrari 812

Officially called the 812 Superfast, this car is the newest Gran Turismo Ferrari introduced in late 2017. It gets its power from the new 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces exactly 800 HP. Ferrari declares that this model is the fastest naturally-aspirated V12 car ever.

  1. Ferrari Portofino

To call the Portofino a California successor would be an understatement since this car is much more. It is a new model with a 3.9-liter twin turbo V8 engine that delivers 590 HP to the rear wheels over a transaxle gearbox. The Portofino may be the current entry-level Ferrari, but it has all the signature Ferrari cues, as well as a fantastic performance and soundtrack.

These are the 50 legendary Ferraris that created the legend of the prancing horse. Although some aren’t available any longer, there are still plenty to choose from today. So, if you want to turn heads whenever you go driving, be sure to get one of these beauties.

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