[Andrew]

OK we get a lot of the same questions here so lets try to alleviate the problem.

THIS IS NOT FOR ASKING QUESTIONS. YOU MAY POST A FAQ YOU THINK IS ASKED OFTEN. USE MY FORMAT PLEASE AND ADD THE APPROPRIATE #. Use this code for the question please:

[size=18][b]#X Questions?[/b][/size]

#1 What does the SF on the shield mean?

SF stands for Scuderia Ferrari.

I learned this next part from an Italian. Scuderia come from the word scudo which meant shield in the midevil times. During this time the teams would fight to take all the shields from the other teams using their horses in fights (maybe jousting?). And Scuderia is a derivative of this meaning stable. So Scuderia Ferrari means Ferrari Stable.

 

[Botto]

#2 Where does the Ferrari horse symbol come from?

Enzo Ferrari himself explained:

"As my trade mark, I continued to use the rampant horse that had been used on the cars of the old Scuderia Ferrari.

The story of this rampant horse is a simple and fascinating one.

The emblem was emblazoned on the fighter plane of Francesco Baracca, the ace of World War I, who was shot down at Montello.

In 1923, when competing in the first Circuito del Savio, at Ravenna, I made acquaintance of Count Enrico Baracca, the hero's father; as a result of that meeting, I was subsequently introduced to the ace's mother, the Countess Paolina Baracca, who one day said to me: Ferrari, why don't you put my son's rampant horse on your car? It will bring you luck"

I still have Baracca's photograph, with his parents dedication in which they entrust the horse to me.

The horse was, and has remained, black; whilst I myself added the gold field, this being the color of Modena"

http://www.ferraristuff.com/en-us/pg_14.html

 

[Andrew]

#3 What is Ferrari's corporate ownership/structure?

Ferrari is primarily owned by Fiat. 10% of Ferrari S.p.a. is owned by Enzo Ferrari's son. Fiat S.p.a. owns Maserati.

Here are the exact breakdowns from our member "Stradale"

Mediobank bought 34% of Ferrari from FIAT Group (not FIAT Auto as most people think) in the late 90's when Fiat was in another deep financial crisis. There was a clause in the sale that gives FIAT Group the option to buy back that block of shares. Fiat did repurchase the majority (24%) of the stake in the mid 00's. The government of Abu Dhabi purchased the remaining 10%.

Pierro Ferrari owns 10% of Ferrari.

FIAT Group owns 56%.

Luca di Montezemolo is the Chiarman of FIAT - meaning FIAT Group and also Chairman of FIAT Auto. He has chosen to remain as Chairman is Ferrari. John Todt was promoted from board member to Managing Director just before Luca appointment in FIAT and will remain as Managing Director.

 

[250lm]

#4 What is the relationship between Ferrari and Maserati?

The two marques were founded by different people and had nothing to do with each other in the early days, but when the Fiat group gained full ownership of the two, the companies were part of the same family. For several years from the late 90's until the mid 00's, Fiat put Maserati under direct Ferrari ownership and control. However in 2006 ownership and operational control of Maserati was relinquished by Ferrari and reverted back to Fiat.

Nowadays, the engines used in both companies have their origin in the same blocks.

 

[250lm]

#5 Why are almost all Ferraris red?

Although the choice of color is up to the buyer of the car, it seems that many people believe a Ferrari needs to be red. The origin can be found in motor racing, where each country used to have its own racing color. Red was the racing color for Italy, which explaines why in the early days Ferraris were red (and Maseratis too!). The French cars were blue, the British were green, and the Germans white, which later became silver when a German manufacturer decided too strip the paint of his car in order to become a little lighter. The car had the bare metal color and won, so the Germans changed tp silver. Technically, people also argue that yellow should be the original color for Ferrari because that is the color of the city of Modena, where Ferrari started his racing team.

 

[250lm]

#6 Where can I buy Ferrari stuff?

Take a look at the shop section on this site. Ferrari itself has opened up some stores themselves which are now mainly in Italy (Ferrari Shop). Many official dealers sell Ferrari merchandise as well. The internet is a good place to start and local bookstores and other car specialist retailers are always nice to search for stuff.

 

[250lm]

#7 Where can I rent a Ferrari?

Some car rental companies have a Ferrari in their line up. You can rent them there. This site does not help in arranging Ferrari driving experiences.

Some URLs for your search:

We recommend:
http://www.clubsportiva.com/


and a few others:
http://www.rentexoticcars.com/la.html
http://www.europeanferrarirental.com/

 

[Bart]

#8 Why I should drive a Ferrari?

Only by driving one will one understand.

 

[Neonzapper]

#9 How do I join the Ferrari Club of America?
http://www.ferrariclubofamerica.org/benefits.cfm You do not have to own a Ferrari to join.

 

[CAPRISTO]

]#2 Where does the Ferrari horse symbol come from?[/SIZE]

Enzo Ferrari himself explained:

"As my trade mark, I continued to use the rampant horse that had been used on the cars of the old Scuderia Ferrari.

The story of this rampant horse is a simple and fascinating one.

The emblem was emblazoned on the fighter plane of Francesco Baracca, the ace of World War I, who was shot down at Montello.

In 1923, when competing in the first Circuito del Savio, at Ravenna, I made acquaintance of Count Enrico Baracca, the hero's father; as a result of that meeting, I was subsequently introduced to the ace's mother, the Countess Paolina Baracca, who one day said to me: Ferrari, why don't you put my son's rampant horse on your car? It will bring you luck"

I still have Baracca's photograph, with his parents dedication in which they entrust the horse to me.

The horse was, and has remained, black; whilst I myself added the gold field, this being the color of Modena"

http://www.ferraristuff.com/en-us/pg_14.html

On of the best educative post to my opinion.

Thank you so much for the history lesson

 

[rmb221]

Great info! thanks

 

[550_Maranello]

Hi Botto,
story exactly like you write, I live in Italy in Ravenna, i'm member of Scuderia Ferrari Club Francesco Baracca from Lugo and we have all two horse in our club, Ferrari horse and Baracca Horse.
I confirm your story.
Every year in october we make a "Festa del Cavallino" in Lugo where we bring lot of ferrari.