Luca di Montezemolo, Piero Ferrari, Jean Todt and Sergio Pininfarina finally
presented what the guests — the ”crème de la crème” of Ferrari’s international
customers — had been waiting for: The Ferrari Enzo Ferrari, the marque’s new 660
bhp and 350 km/h projectile. Two examples were on show that evening, a red w/red
example (s/n 128778) and a yellow w/black example (s/n 128781). On a factory tour
one could see some more ”Enzos” in various stages of production, including a black
(s/n 128783) and another yellow (s/n 129581) example. It has not been revealed so
far which colors will be available for the Enzo Ferrari officially. Apparently Ferrari has
changed the former policy to offer only one interior color for the supercars: Another
red Enzo (s/n 128782) could be seen sporting a dark tan leather interior, while the
others had black or red interiors. By the way, the production of the Enzo Ferrari takes
place at the same production line that gave birth to the F50 between 1995 and 1997.
It is reserved for special production models and had been unused since the last F50
had left the factory.
On the very next day, Friday, June 28, 2002 Ferrari held a special event called ”La
Formula Uomo” — ”The Formula Man” — at the same premises; this event was
dedicated to suppliers, friends of the company and to a selected group of about 50
international (but mostly Italian…) journalists, including Andreas Birner of
www.Barchetta.cc. Only about 100 or so guests were present at the show. The
”Formula Uomo” event included various presentations by members of the board of
Ferrari and architects about the factory’s future. Ferrari’s great plans for the next three
or so years that were unveiled in this event will be covered on www.Barchetta.cc in a
separate article soon.
The unofficial presentation of the Enzo Ferrari — which will have its official premiere
at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September — was a surprise to many of the
attending journalists. In the logistics center, only the red example s/n 128778 was
shown to them as a static display. Actually it was pushed on stage by the staff
following a speech of CEO Luca di Montezemolo. On a factory tour that concentrated
on Ferrari’s newly built engine department, the visitors could also see the production
line. The yellow Enzo Ferrari s/n 128781 was on display in the production area where
a highly limited Enzo press kit was handed to the guests.
It was a very special occasion, and yours truly feels honored to have been part of it.
So please enjoy the photos, or come to see the next semi-official presentation of the
new Ferrari Enzo Ferrari during the Ferrari Racing Days at the Nürburgring on
September 6-8, 2002.
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