Essen, March 31st 2009

Ferrari Classiche has brought no less than four stunning cars
to the 21st Techno-Classica to showcase its activities. Exemplifying the specialist
department’s skills are two versions of the 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto, in
celebration of the 50th anniversary of this legendary model’s unveiling at the 1959
Paris Show, a Pinin Farina-bodied 250 GT and a Superamerica.
Starting in 1959, a total of 166 250 GT Berlinettas were built, of which 92 were roadgoing,
steel-bodied cars and 74 aluminium ‘Competizione’ versions.
The first of the two models on display on the Ferrari stand is a steel-bodied car and
has been issued with a Certificate of Authenticity for complying exactly with the
original characteristics of the model.
The second car is a ‘Competizione’ version and a superb example of the fine
restoration work carried out by Ferrari Classiche. The project involved meticulous
research before work started on restoring the car from the chassis up.
The Pinin Farina-bodied 250 GT displayed on the Ferrari stand was shown here in
Essen two years ago before undergoing the Ferrari Classiche Authenticity Certification
process. It competed in its heyday and is now seen after restoration of both its front
bodywork and chassis. In the course of Ferrari’s research into the car, in fact, it
became clear that the front chassis did not comply with the original designs as it had
been repaired following an accident. Similarly the car’s nose section was also found to
be of a slightly different shape than the original. Using original photographs, Ferrari
Classiche was, however, able to restore the car to its original pristine state and to redo
the paintwork in its original white colour.


The fourth model on display at the stand is actually a modern Ferrari. However, it still
boasts certain unique characteristics that mean it falls under the competency of
Ferrari Classiche. The stunning 2005 Superamerica features the innovative
Revocromico™ roof and was built on the 575M Maranello platform. It is a limited
edition model of which just 559 were ever built. As is the case with other special
models, such as the Enzo Ferrari and the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, Ferrari Classiche
can issue a Certificate of Authenticity for the Superamerica. Furthermore the car is
also covered by the new Ferrari Approved Programme developed to guarantee
purchasers of pre-owned Prancing Horse models complete peace of mind, courtesy of
a 190-point pre-sale vehicle check and a 12-month roadside assistance package.
Ferrari Classiche
This department was set up in 2006 to provide owners of classic, veteran and historic
Ferraris with dedicated maintenance, repair and restoration services, technical
assistance and authenticity certification. Since the start of 2009, it has also been in
charge of issuing the new Attestations for Vehicles of Historic Interest. Thus far a total
of 1,000 Authenticity Certification requests have been processed. The certification
process involves researching the original designs of the historic Prancing Horse cars
held in the Company’s archives which house details of all of the GT, competition and
sports-prototype cars built by Ferrari since its foundation. Any work done on the cars
is carried out in compliance with those original designs. In all, 28 full restorations have
been carried out at Ferrari Classiche’s dedicated workshop.
Certificate of Authenticity
Authenticity certification is available to all road-going Ferraris of over 20 years as well
as to all Ferrari F1 single-seaters, sports cars and sports-prototypes of all ages.
The Ferrari Certificate of Authenticity is an official document attesting that the car it is
issued to is completely authentic in every respect.
It is of absolutely fundamental importance that such cars retain the characteristics of
their original designs over time. This is, in fact, the only way of ensuring that they can
be driven in complete safety and with complete peace of mind, and that the very most
can be made of their performance capabilities.
Thanks to its extensive archives, in which the assembly sheets for every car built at
Maranello since 1947 are lovingly stored, Ferrari can verify with absolute accuracy the
conformity or otherwise of its cars to their original designs.
There are several advantages to Certification:
- It guarantees the preservation of the heritage the car represents
- It is an extra plus should you decide to sell on your car
- It allows clients to take part in official events organised by the Prancing Horse.
Restoration
Restoring a historic Ferrari is an extremely delicate process. In fact, the very
characteristics that have earned the Prancing Horse’s cars such international renown
are the product of uncompromising design focused on delivering absolute
performance.
Ferrari Classiche carries out the restoration work directly in the factory. It can return
cars to their original authentic state quite simply because only this department has
access to the in-house foundry and the machining tools used to manufacture the
original parts.
Ferrari boasts a huge archive of all of its original designs and much more besides. This
fantastic heritage means that it can reproduce any component or part from any model
ever built.
The fact that all of the original designs have survived to this day means that any model
can be faithfully restored to its original splendour so that it not only looks but
performs as well as it did when it first left the factory.
A Ferrari Classiche restoration is the best way of ensuring that your car retains its
historic value: each one was originally built in Maranello and that is where they can
now enjoy a new lease of life.
Attestation for Vehicle of Historic Interest
This recently-introduced Attestation For Vehicle of Historic Interest is issued to
Prancing Horse cars which, although they do not fully comply with the strict Ferrari
Authenticity Certification criteria, have:
- competed in and around the time of their construction in national and
international competitions in their current configuration, OR
- have a current configuration that is the result of modifications made by
internationally renowned designers/coachbuilders within 10 years of their
construction and have participated in the aforementioned configuration in
internationally recognised shows or concours d’elegance, or have been
featured in leading automotive publications.
The abovementioned requisites must be fulfilled before Ferrari can issue an
Attestation for Vehicle of Historic Interest. The latter, however, will allow holders to
participate in the Shell Historic Challenge and other classic car events organised by
Ferrari.