By Cathy Roush
In our ‘spare’ time, after the market letter has been mailed and before we start the next one, we like to work in the database.
Jim Weed made a plea for information on your Ferrari(s) in Volume 4308, the 14 April 2018 issue, with a follow up in 4312, dated 9 June, and he has been inundated. I hope you won’t let me down.
I like special projects; I’ve done research for subscribers on the Asking Price Index as well as for specific serial numbers, or models … how many 550 Barchettas, perhaps.
I regularly engage in an exchange of information on Supercars. My interest in a project is particularly piqued when I’m told there is a certain number of anything. I want to identify them ALL.
I have embarked on an ambitious project of late. Perhaps you’ve heard about the 70th Anniversary liveries that Ferrari has applied to five models: 488 GTB, 488 Spider, GTC4Lusso, F12berlinetta, and California T. Not the GTC4Lusso T.
Ferrari’s official website refers to these as Style Icons. As part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the Prancing Horse, Ferrari Tailor Made, together with the designers of Centro Stile, have put a modern twist on features and elements that distinguished 70 of the most beautiful Ferraris in history and created seventy exclusive liveries, to blend the past with the future.
All the cars are distinguished by the exclusive commemorative logo of the 70th anniversary along with an ID plate with the name of the model that inspired it.
If you were going to have to come up with 70 liveries, certainly Redhead, Magnum PI, and a Schumacher would be names on your list.
Maybe certain models make your list too: GTO, Daytona, Boxer, Dino. I do not know any of the individuals who came up with these seventy titles, but more obscure livery names like A Model of Sophistication, Stunningly Simple, Celebrating an Anniversary, and The Pinnacle show that some thought went into naming.
There are 70 different liveries. Five models. That’s 350 serial numbers that I NEED. I started collecting in July 2018 and have 252 identified … about 72%. Not bad, huh?
Turns out I’m not the only person in the world tracking these and I’ve been fortunate to receive lists from about a half-dozen sources. That provided a nice jump start. It’s also satisfying to receive an e-mail with any reference to 70th Anniversary in the subject line … it could mean another one has been identified.
On one hand, I think this project suits my accountant personality well. It is interesting to see how each source has set up their Excel spreadsheet and color coded it (even matching the official paint to a specific livery section). I love details like that.
To be sure, each of our spreadsheets starts with the livery #; for example, #1 is called The Icon, #3 The Agnelli, #18 The Fangio.
My spreadsheet would be considered horizontal. One line for each livery, with columns for the name, the official description, the inspiration, then exterior and interior details, and finally a column for each model. Other spreadsheets are more vertical, with a line (or set of blocks made of lines) for each detail.
Each livery was inspired by a distinct model, and in many cases, a particular serial number. It probably comes as no surprise to you that I have a column in my spreadsheet for THAT serial number as well. The Agnelli is based on S/N 0064M, The Record Breaker on S/N 0350 AM, The Fangio on S/N 0626.
While I keep specific details about any VIN in our database, one source for these liveries has a column for assembly number and country, and breaks out roof colors, rims, and mirrors.
Ferrari’s website breaks down the liveries into decades, but there are not necessarily 10 style icons per decade; the first 19 are from the period 1946-1956. Certainly, some of the most iconic Ferraris are from this era and include the Superamerica and the Tour de France, as well as names familiar to Ferraristi: Vignale, Pinin Farina, Agnelli. Most of the inspiration for this first set of liveries is from competition cars.
The first 19 liveries are named:
1947-1956
- THE ICON
- THE QUINTESSENTIAL GENTLEMAN DRIVER’S FERRARI
- THE AGNELLI
- A MODEL OF SOPHISTICATION
- THE LEGENDARY SIXTEEN
- CRIMSON CELEBRATION
- STUNNINGLY SIMPLE
- THE RECORD BREAKER
- THE WHITE SPIDER
- THE GRAND TOURER
- THE HEARTTHROB
- THE INGRID
- THE PATRIARCH
- GRAN TURISMO PERFECTION
- THE TOUR DE FRANCE
- THE SUPERAMERICA
- GUNMETAL GLORY
- THE FANGIO
- THE SHAH
A few are described here:
THE ICON: 125 S, S/N 01 C-010 I, was the very first official racing sports car built by Enzo Ferrari and his team in 1947. It made it’s début on May 11th at the Piacenza racing circuit. With its bold red exterior and elegant silhouette, this model has become a true icon. Painted Rosso Ferrari 53, a dark solid red, with No. 56 on the door. The interior is black Inchiostro (ink) richer furniture leather, an elegant leather with natural and fine grain. Seats have the historic ribbed pattern, widely used on past and glorious GT cars. Old fashioned style rubber floor mats are present.
We have only identified two of the five Ferraris with this livery. When I originally penned this article, we only had the F12berlinetta identified … and last Monday morning I received the VIN for the 488 Spider!
488 GTB Livery #9 The White Spider
THE WHITE SPIDER: Livery #9, based on 375 MM Pinin Farina Spider, S/N 0370 MM. These cars are Bianco Italia with double stripe livery in Blu Pozzi. The interior is Blu Sterling leather and blue Mycroprestige, with blue carbon fiber trims. Carpets in black Superfabric, a cut proof material.
We have identified all five Ferraris in this livery.
488 GTB Livery #9 The White Spider
THE HEARTTHROB: Livery #11. This fabulous royal blue 500 Mondial S.I from 1954, S/N 0438 MD, is one of only 14 open-top models of this series built by Pinin Farina and was owned by the legendary Dominican Playboy Porfirio Rubirosa. He drove the car in just a single international race at Santa Barbara in September 1954. Sporting the number 235, the car finished eighth overall and second in its category.
We have identified all five Ferraris in this livery, also. It is quite a contrast to see the 500 Mondial that inspired this livery on a 488 Spider.
488 TB Livery #18 The Fangio
THE FANGIO: Livery #18. The 290 MM S/N 0626 was built for Argentinian race legend Juan Manuel Fangio to be driven at the 1956 Mille Miglia, a thrilling race that ended with four Ferraris taking the first four places. The car had a racing livery that incorporated the blue and yellow colors of the Argentinian flag. Scuderia Ferrari shields are airbrushed on fenders in a bigger size, a typical feature of old race cars.
We have three of the five cars identified, and we have photos of the two which have not been identified by VIN.
Out of this date range (1946-1956), and 19 liveries, for a total of 95 cars, 71 have been identified. We have identified all five cars for five of the liveries.
All but six of the 488 Spiders (and we have photos of four of those six) are identified by serial number; we have identified all but eight of the 488 GTB (with seven photos of the eight), all but five of the California (but NO photos of the missing cars), all but three of the GTC4 Lusso (photos of two of the three) and we are missing only one F12berlinetta from this range (livery #13). Is it yours?
The next range is 1957-1966 and has another 19 liveries. These are probably more recognizable to most of us and introduce some of the cleverness in naming. The first four liveries in this group are based on a variation of the Testa Rossa (including one 500 TRC Spider). The names are:
1957-1966
20. THE REDHEAD
21. BORN TO RACE
22. THE SILVER FOX
23. THE LUCYBELLE
24. CALIFORNIA DREAMING
25. FRENCH ALLURE
26. SOME LIKE IT RED
27. THE BERLINETTA
28. THE STIRLING
29. THE HOT ROD
30. THE MASTERPIECE
31. ESSENCE OF A FERRARI
32. THE ACTOR
33. THE SURTEES
34. THE LE MANS
35. THE PHIL
36. LA COMPETIZIONE
37. THE GREEN JEWEL
38. SLEEK BEAUTY
Here are a few of the liveries described:
THE REDHEAD: Livery #20. Based on the 1957 250 Testa Rossa S/N 0666 in iconic red with white and blue stripes. The 250 Testa Rossa was a legendary car that dominated its competitors, with variations of the model winning 10 World Sports Car Championships. All cars in this livery have a circular #18 on the doors and hood.
We have identified all models in this livery but the 488 GTB.
F12berlinetta Livery #27 The Berlinetta
THE BERLINETTA: Livery #27. This 1960 250 GT Berlinetta SWB S/N 2033 GT is decked out in ivory, with a burgundy stripe down the center of the car. Built for competing in major GT races like the Tour de France, this Ferrari was extremely successful, winning the race four times in a row from 1959 to 1962.
Each of these five cars is in Avorio, a classic color from the 1950s and 1960s with livery in Rubino Micalizzato.
Again, we have identified all the cars in this livery except for the 488 GTB. But we have a photo of the car with its possible location!
F12berlinetta Livery #28 The Stirling
THE STIRLING: Livery #28. Stirling Moss drove his legendary 250 GT Berlinetta SWB S/N 2735 GT to victory three times, including in the 1961 Tourist Trophy. Dad was such a fan of Moss that my brother’s middle name is Stirling.
The exterior is Indigo Blue, the dark blue of the original car and sports longitudinal livery with a circular racing #7 on the doors (but not the hood, as on 2735 GT) in Bianco Avus. Wing mirrors and dreamline around the windows in Argento Nürburgring. Scuderia Ferrari shields in a bigger size are airbrushed on the fenders.
Black leather and Blue Oltremare (ocean blue) richer furniture leather and seats with historic ribbed pattern in Kvadrat Field fabric, a classic pattern revisited in a modern way. Aluminum trims with hammered effect and metal flooring give a sportier look to the interior.
We have the F12berlinetta and California T identified in this livery, and photos of the 488 GTB and GTC4Lusso. Where, oh where, is the 488 Spider?
THE ESSENCE OF A FERRARI: Livery #31. The 250 GTO was unveiled to the press in January 1962 and can perhaps be classed as the Ferrari of the past which best represents the Prancing Horse’s philosophy, both in terms of design and performance.
Cars in this livery are naturally Rosso Corsa with the tricolor livery. The interior is black leather and the seats are Iroko leather and brown corduroy with its distinct ribbed pattern.
All five of the cars in this livery are identified.
To my surprise, this livery was not named the GTO. That name was used on a much later model, commonly referred to the 288 GTO. Coincidentally, livery #35, The Phil, is also based on a 250 GTO, S/N 3387, and was driven by Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
THE ACTOR: Livery #32. Originally the McQueen, 1963 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso S/N 4891 GT was owned by Steve McQueen, a gift from his first wife Neile Adams. This model is one of the most elegant Ferraris ever built. It stood out for its understated chocolate brown exterior and exquisite camel leather interiors with intricate stitching.
We have all five of the cars identified.
488 GTB Livery #37 The Green Jewel
THE GREEN JEWEL: Livery #37. Inspired by the 365 P2, S/N 0836. During the 1965 race season, Scuderia Ferrari entered the 275 P2 and the 330 P2 into several races. In addition, it also built a customer version of the P2. It was equipped with a SOHC 4.4 L engine and was thus named 365 P2. Only six were produced, and one of these was acquired by the long-time Ferrari customer team David Piper Racing. The car was painted in the characteristic green color of the British team. With the 365 P2, David Piper won the Kyalami 9 Hours in 1965 and 1966, along with the prestigious Trophée d’Auvergne at Clermont-Ferrand in 1966.
This is one of the more unusual liveries, in metallic green with red and black interior. Each car also sports a circular #25 on the doors. We saw the 488 Spider in this livery at Finali Mondiali in Daytona, 2016, with its gold wheels.
We have all five cars in this livery identified as well.
In this (second) group of liveries, out of 95, we have 71 identified; all but three of the F12berlinetta. We are missing seven of the GTC4Lusso, missing six of the 488 GTB, missing four of the California T, and four of the 488 Spider.
We only have four ‘complete’ liveries identified with serial number in this range.
To summarize through the first two decades: 38 liveries, five models, total of 190 cars … 143 serial numbers identified. About 75 percent. 34 F12berlinetta, 28 GTC4Lusso, 29 California T, 28 488 Spider and 24 488 GTB. Nine liveries with all five cars identified.
Stay with me. Remember, I’m doing this for fun. If you’ve met me, that probably explains a lot.
There is, as is the ‘rule’ with Ferrari serial numbers, no rule. There is no set range of serial numbers assigned to these cars as far as I can tell.
These are all 2017 or 2018 model year cars. Talk about looking for a needle in a haystack. There are 13,484 serial numbers between the lowest identified 70th anniversary car and the highest, and I want to identify 350 of those 13,484.
One of my partners in this ‘crime’ has gone to the trouble to sort the identified cars in numerical order. There are many instances where several consecutive VINs will be 70th anniversary liveried cars, but it is just as random as applying serial numbers to any Ferrari model. Which can be frustrating to us left-brained individuals.
The longest string of consecutively numbered 70th Anniversary cars that I have found is 11. It includes five F12berlinetta, three 488 Spiders, two 488 GTB, one California T and zero GTC4Lusso. I have to wonder why! GTC4Lusso were in production for this serial number range (and in fact, we have one identified in the database a scant four numbers before the string of 11).
On the other hand, is it likely all 350 cars will be identified (by anyone other than the Factory)? No, I’m sad to say. But it’s not going to deter my enthusiasm for this project; send me your VIN and identify the livery, please! All information will be kept confidential upon your request.
This also is a plea to dealerships; if a 70th Anniversary-liveried car has come through your showroom or service area, please share. I respect the privacy of your customers … all I really want is the VIN, the livery, and either city or state.
If you are interested in more information than I have provided about the liveries, not to mention many historic photos, please click here.
After the events in California have been covered in these pages, I will have a follow-up article, on the other 32 liveries, and more statistics. And I hope to have filled in some of the missing numbers.