Maranello, Italy - The very air itself feels different and an age removed from the present the moment you cross the threshold into the sanctum sanctorum of the rarefied Ferrari Classiche division, the brand's authentication, maintenance, restoration and most importantly, documentation arm.
This magical cave of wonders and its treasure trove of mythical classic Ferraris in all their exposed mechanical glory is sought out by many tifosi – especially purveyors of Ferrari collectible classics – but access is granted only to a select few: paying customers and lucky ones like ourselves!
Here's a 250 GT California Spyder with the hardtop on
Some folks find it hard to appreciate a classic car, but it all depends on what stage you’re at in your collection journey. At the start, people invariably chase the new models, which is a good entry point to induct them into the pomp and pageantry of the greater Ferrari community.
As they delve deeper into the Prancing Horse’s storied history, they often inculcate an appreciation for the classics. The growing addiction might start with “youngtimers” (est. 15-20 year old cars) and if one’s patience isn’t stretched to breaking point after the honeymoon period, older Ferraris invariably follow (if the budget allows).
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It requires an astute understanding of the nuances in the classics and the refinement of one’s taste to evolve beyond the “new is best” mentality, where you start to appreciate a classic’s purity over a modern model’s convenience, especially in terms of the drive experience.
Don’t forget, all you need to buy a new car is money, whereas maintaining a classic car properly and in drive-worthy condition requires passion, commitment, as well as plenty of patience (money is already a given!)… and that’s before you factor-in your own blood-sweat-tears if you’re inclined to DIY.
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Ferrari Classiche refers to both the department, as well as the certification that can be applied to Ferraris that are 20 years and older, provided they satisfy the department’s strict demands in terms of original parts and matching numbers attesting to their authenticity and originality. Naturally, it goes without saying that the department is able to perform complete ground-up restorations of classic Ferraris as well.
Mind you, the Classiche certification adds a nice provenance (and corresponding tidy premium to the value of a car on the secondary market) to a Ferrari, especially for classic models that date back half a century or more and "when Ferrari (Classiche) says it is that car, it is that car!"
Skyrocketing values of classic Ferraris aside, the petrolhead community is all the richer for the existence of Ferrari Classiche, because it gets to see a lot of the earlier cars out and about, as opposed to being locked away and serving "garage queen" duties.
After all, one can now actually "get out and drive", as the owner is secure in the knowledge that Ferrari Classiche is on-hand to support such cars technically, even down to the faithful reproduction of the original parts (albeit with the "Ferrari Classiche" stamping).
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It takes a certain type of personality to work at Ferrari Classiche, because in addition to the hard technical skills (which is a given), one should also be meticulous and nit-picky – all the better if it borders on the OCD, because this is a boon at this particular division.
The job is part technical, part forensics investigator and all parts passion as the team combs the archives, sale/transfer deeds through the decades and inspects its physical mechanical components for clues that could identify a car.
In fact, it was due to Enzo Ferrari’s compulsive, data-driven note-taking for every Ferrari (and the conditions in which they raced) built since the 1940s that set the stage for the Department’s comprehensive archives, which itemised everything found in individual cars, literally down to each nut and bolt for every chassis number ever built.
For privacy reasons, photos weren't allowed of the highly-detailed technical drawings due to the displayed chassis numbers
From the technical drawings (cars, race-tracks, powertrain etc.), to the contract of sale and then the equipment list and special requests, everything is preserved in hard-copy in the library, complete with Enzo’s personal annotations and comments.
Naturally, most of these have been converted to digital copies for easy reference, but it was pretty awe-inspiring for this petrolhead to inspect the very documents that bore the handwritten notes of signor Ferrari himself!
For more straightforward cases, which normally involve the younger cars, the certification can be conducted with extensive photos transmitted to Ferrari Classiche in Maranello through the respective Ferrari dealer of your country.
This means there isn’t always a need for the owner to ship his/her car to Maranello, which might otherwise be needed for historically significant or technically questionable cars.
Mr. Andrea Modena (above), steward of Ferrari Classiche and the Head of Global Technical Assistance Service, surely has the greatest job in the world, simply because his work-days are spent in the warmly patinated company of illustrious sporting machines that blur the line between art and science.
He smiles, "What's so rewarding for me is having the possibility to consider these works of art as live elements (in the flesh). This is part of a live environment that has lasted 76 years and which I really believe should last for the next lifetime."
Ultimately, it isn’t so much about the new being better than the old (or vice versa), because the twain exists harmoniously within the greater Ferrari ecosystem.
The elements of every Ferrari model (both new and old) give you fresh insights into the evolution of the brand, as all the jigsaw pieces fit together to form more of the big picture… and that’s why it’s so easy to be hooked on the classics!
PHOTOS BY Ferrari (Additional photos of the Archive Department and Mr. Modena by David Khoo)
