Ferrari: 50 Years of Innovations in Technology - 50 anni di innovazioni tecnologiche

From time to time other auto producers have looked at the example of Ferrari and thought, "That doesn't look so difficult. I'll try making and selling some sports and racing cars." What most of them have discovered, however, is that it is not as easy as it looks. Supporting the towering reputation of Ferrari is a firm foundation, built from a commitment to advanced technology. Who else, to name just one example, could have engineered and manufactured an F50 in a production series? From his first days as a racing-car builder, beginning at Alfa Romeo, then Auto Avio Costruzioni and eventually his own Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari took great care to have not only the best drivers but also the best designers. Few outside observers of Ferrari could be aware of the depth of skill, knowledge and experience possessed by its technical team. Such an awareness can come, however, from the study of the innovations introduced by Ferrari during its first half-century. In the automotive world, it is not always possible to be absolutely definitive about the validity of an innovation. Many things "have been done before". But in this review of Ferrari technology Karl Ludvigsen has sought to be as clear as possible about the nature of the forward steps that he has attributed to Ferrari and its designers. The decisions about the advances that should be presented, and their characterisation, have been up to him alone. The claims are Ludvigsen’s, not those of Ferrari. Even Ferrari may be surprised at the many innovations for which it can justly be credited over 50 years! The innovations have been divided into the respective categories of engine, drive line, chassis/concept and body. Within each section a rough chronological order is observed. All four categories have their results, their advances, but no reader will be surprised to discover that engine innovations dominate. Also included is a mention of the little 854 Ferrarina engine, which was used as a basis for the 1032 cc unit fitted to the ASA 1100 GT. Power has always been important to Ferrari and few stones have been left unturned in its search for power. But the person who considers that Ferrari has only been concerned with engine power will find many examples of its pioneering activity in every other area of the high-performance automobile. This book was produced by Ferrari - Publication Number n.1213/97