Enzo Ferrari Biography

Synopsis

Born in 1898 in Italy, Enzo Ferrari began his auto racing career in 1919. He soon joined Alfa Romeo and managed its racing division after retiring from driving in 1931. Following World War II, the Ferrari marque earned renown as its drivers racked up numerous major championships. However, its founder faced personal turmoil after the early death of his son, while financial issues forced him to explore mergers with other automakers. Ferrari formally resigned as president of his company in 1977 and died in 1988.

Early Years

Enzo Anselmo Ferrari was born on February 18, 1898, in Modena, Italy. The second child of parents Adalgisa and Alfredo, a metal worker, Ferrari was bitten by the racing bug at age 10, when his dad took him to watch

In 1929, he pulled together his own team of drivers and engineers for his Scuderia Ferrari (Ferrari Stable). Comprised mainly of Alfa Romeos, the scuderia soon became the official racing arm of the automaker.

Ferrari competed in his final race in August 1931, and became a father with the birth of his beloved son Dino in January 1932. Although he scored a huge victory with one of his cars at the 1935 German Grand Prix, he had to close his scuderia in 1937 when Alfa Romeo reclaimed its racing division. He left the company for good in September 1939, with the stipulation he could not use the Ferrari name in association with racing or cars for at least four years.

Rise of Ferrari

Soon after leaving Alfa Romeo, Enzo Ferrari opened Auto Avio Costruzioni in Modena and sought to develop his own racing cars, but the outbreak of World War II led to government intervention. The company moved its factory to nearby Maranello, where it focused on building grinding

The biggest blow was the death of his son Dino from muscular dystrophy in 1956, a devastating loss that turned him into a recluse. In addition, six of his drivers were killed between 1955 and 1965, and he was even tried for manslaughter (and acquitted) after one of his cars careened into the roadside crowd at the 1957 Mille Miglia and killed nine spectators.

Ferrari lost the services of several top engineers and executives in the "Palace Revolt" of 1961, reportedly after a dust-up over the intruding presence of his wife. Two years later, he engaged in serious talks with the Ford Motor Company about merging their operations, before pulling out at the last minute due to concerns over a loss of control. He eventually did cede some control of the company in 1969, when financial issues prompted him to sell a 50-percent stake to Fiat.

Later Years, Death and Legacy

Enzo Ferrari formally resigned as president of his company in 1977, although he effectively retained control of the business. Following the death of his wife in 1978, he admitted to fathering another son, Piero, with his mistress Lina Lardi in