Photo wowozine.com

From 15th of July till 3rd of September 2017 Autoworld Brussels presents THE summer exhibition:
Ferrari 70 years

Photo wowozine.com

Autoworld has chosen to dedicate its summer to the 70th anniversary of Ferrari with an amazing exhibition. The WOW team had a look and judged that everyone that ever dreamed of driving, owning or just sitting or laying on a Ferrari should visit the exhibition. Did you know that Belgium was after the US Ferrari’s biggest export country? That was thanks to the passion of one of its drivers: Jacques Swaters.

On the Mezzanine, that is on the first floor of the museum, more than 35 mythical sports and luxury cars will tell the story of the prancing horse. Classic lovers can gaze at the 166 MM, the 206GT Dino, the 250 Pininfarina, the 275 GTB, the 275 GTS which was owned previously by Raquel Welsh, the 275 LM, the 365 GTB Daytona, the 500 Superfast, the 512 BB… Fans of youngtimers can scout: the Testarossa F40, the 288 GTO, the 550 Maranello WSR (World Speed Record), the Enzo (which was once owned by Jean Todt…) The modern cars are respresented by the Ferrari Aperta, the 599 GTO, the F430 Scuderia and the pure competition cars by the 156 F1, the F1/87 (ex-Gerard Berger) and the 275GTB Competition… and of course you will discover even more cars and facts at the exhibition. Did you know that Belgium was after the US Ferrari’s biggest export country, thanks to the passion of one of its drivers, Jacques Swaters?

Photo wowozine.com

70 years ago…
The story of Ferrari began in Modena, Italy, 70 years ago where the first 125 S left the factory doors on the Via Abetone Inferiore. This sporting model immediately won its first race in Piacenza. It was to be the first of a long series of victories. At the cradle of the brand stood 49 year old Enzo Ferrari. Within a few years, Ferrari had made itself a mythical reputation. Soon other sports cars were born: the 159 S and the 166 S, Corsa, MM and Sports. The 166 MM Barchetta is the first road going thoroughbred and marks a turning point for the brand.

The most prestigious coachbuilders and designers are brought together to work on some unique models: Vignale, Ghia, Touring but last but not least PininFarina. The cooperation began in 1952. Together with the development of the cabrio for the Scuderia Georges Filipinetti and is continued right until today. The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder (Pininfarina-Scaglietti) is still tipped as “one of the most beautiful Ferrari’s and one of the most breathtaking cabrio’s in the history of the automobile”.

The sixties represent a crucial period for the brand. In 1960 the 250 GTE is not only the first Ferrari built in series production (900 units), but the company is also becoming registered (SEFAC). The American giant Ford is a serious contender on the racing tracks for five years. Despite the successes, Ferrari gets into financial troubles. In 1969, Enzo Ferrari sells 50 pct of his shares to Gianni Agnelli, CEO of the Fiat Group. This allows 1395 Ferrari Daytona’s to roll of the production lines, but the unstable political situation prevents achieving further successes.

A few months after the death of “Il Commendatore” in August 1988, the Fiat group acquires the majority of the stock. But after five years, not more than 2289 cars are sold and the brand is moribund.

In 2004, Agnella appoints Luca di Montezemolo (a former assistant of Enzo Ferrari) at the head of the company. He brings a total turnaround. Despite the continuing focus on hand made production, substantial changes are made in the “Formula Uomo”. (Human Formula).

The Prancing Horse:
The story was for a long time quite controversial. Some even thought that the story around the horse was held rather vague to enhance the legend around Enzo Ferrari. But nevertheless, documents have since proven that the logo came from the cavalry regiment of Francesco Baracca, an Italian war hero from the first World War. The mother of the war hero gave the logo to Enzo Ferrari. The “Scudetto” became the emblem of Ferrari with the letters S F (standing for Scuderia Ferrari).

Dressed for the occasion in Ferrari red 😉                                                                   Photo wowozine.com

Practical information:
Autoworld – Esplanade of the Jubelpark – 1000 Brussel
Open every day – even on Monday – from 10.00 u to 18.00 h. Admission fee fro the museum: € 10/ adult- € 8/ senior – € 7/ student – € 4/child between 6-12 year – free for children below 6 year.
Info: www.autoworld.be of +32 (0)2.736.41.65 – and Facebook fanpage