4 ms·

There is a version of the story here where Enzo is not wrong. His #1 focus was building cars that won races. He was clear about that. And people bought his car

There is a version of the story here where Enzo is not wrong. His #1 focus was building cars that won races. He was clear about that. And people bought his car because they won races. Lamborghini made amazing cars... that did not win many races. There are not many accounts of Enzo being a likeable person, or a great engineer, or even a particularly good business man. But it wasn't a "mistake" how he treated Ferruccio's ideas. So, maybe the moral of the story is listen to your customers. But it could also be: don't compromise and you'll still do fine, and they will go out and make what they want.

caycep 4y ago
It depends on the culture perhaps. "not invented here syndrome" often practiced by many tech companies. Granted, as an aside, my understanding is the 250 GTO line of models were meant as an afterthought to fund the racing side of things, but to my eye, they are the most beautiful Ferrari models. The supercar/racing inspired models often look ugly to me.
- prova_modena 4y ago
  Small correction, the "250 GTO" was a specific racing model, while the "250 GT" was a series of models encompassing both roadgoing and racing cars. I'm assuming you are referring to the roadgoing 250 GT models, such as the 250 GT Pininfarina Coupe, 250 GT California Spyder etc. The roadgoing 250 GT series was produced at the tail end of the "coachbuilt" era of automobiles, where the manufacturer sent the bare chassis and engine to a artisan shop specialized in the design and construction of the body. So you're correct that, from Ferrari's perspective, the design of these roadgoing models was secondary to the racing models. However, because it was not Ferrari's primary concern, it could be contracted out to coachbuilders such as Pininfarina. These firms were highly sophisticated designers and artisans and indeed produced some very beautiful work.
  - mlambie 4y ago
  - jacquesm 4y ago
    Your moniker proves to be very apt, your knowledge of this stuff is encyclopedic.
- sokoloff 4y ago
  250 GTO is certainly beautiful; I’d put the 246 Dino right up against it for aesthetics among their road cars (meaning, setting aside the 335 S).
  - MontyCarloHall 4y ago
    >246 Dino One of the most beautiful cars of all time. Ironic that it was produced under the budget Dino marque; it is far prettier than anything contemporaneous that was badged as a Ferrari.
    - Wistar 4y ago
      >246 Dino And, today, fetching a boatload of money. They are very (very) high maintenance, and fragile, compared to many other Ferraris of that era. In about 1985, I dated a woman who had one in her garage buried under a pile of clothing and fabric. I about fell over when I discovered it. "Oh. THAT. I got it in the divorce."
      - ChuckNorris89 4y ago
        Your anecdote is the best anti-marriage ad I ever saw. :)
        Grazester 4y ago
        Prenup
      - technothrasher 4y ago
        > They are very (very) high maintenance, and fragile, compared to many other Ferraris of that era. I’ve worked on them, and they’re certainly not more fragile than say a 365BB. But show me any Ferrari from that era and I’ll show you a basket case. But the 246 is tiny inside and annoying to drive for somebody six feet tall like me. I’m also the only one, it seems, who doesn’t think they’re as pretty as everyone makes out. I think the latter 308GTB is the best looking of that line. Even of the Dinos, I like the Fiat Dino spider better. But I realize and accept that the whole world thinks I’m wrong on this.
hyperhopper 4y ago
Seems like a wild oversight to not include this in an article about the rivalry
- dotancohen 4y ago
  Despite the title, the article is not about the rivalry. The article is about the history of Lamborghini, up to and including the modern era. The rivalry is not really even discussed in the article, other than passing mention in the first few paragraphs.
kwatsonafter 4y ago

caycep 4y ago

It depends on the culture perhaps. "not invented here syndrome" often practiced by many tech companies. Granted, as an aside, my understanding is the 250 GTO line of models were meant as an afterthought to fund the racing side of things, but to my eye, they are the most beautiful Ferrari models. The supercar/racing inspired models often look ugly to me.

prova_modena 4y ago
Small correction, the "250 GTO" was a specific racing model, while the "250 GT" was a series of models encompassing both roadgoing and racing cars. I'm assuming you are referring to the roadgoing 250 GT models, such as the 250 GT Pininfarina Coupe, 250 GT California Spyder etc. The roadgoing 250 GT series was produced at the tail end of the "coachbuilt" era of automobiles, where the manufacturer sent the bare chassis and engine to a artisan shop specialized in the design and construction of the body. So you're correct that, from Ferrari's perspective, the design of these roadgoing models was secondary to the racing models. However, because it was not Ferrari's primary concern, it could be contracted out to coachbuilders such as Pininfarina. These firms were highly sophisticated designers and artisans and indeed produced some very beautiful work.
- mlambie 4y ago
- jacquesm 4y ago
  Your moniker proves to be very apt, your knowledge of this stuff is encyclopedic.
sokoloff 4y ago
250 GTO is certainly beautiful; I’d put the 246 Dino right up against it for aesthetics among their road cars (meaning, setting aside the 335 S).
- MontyCarloHall 4y ago
  >246 Dino One of the most beautiful cars of all time. Ironic that it was produced under the budget Dino marque; it is far prettier than anything contemporaneous that was badged as a Ferrari.
  - Wistar 4y ago
    >246 Dino And, today, fetching a boatload of money. They are very (very) high maintenance, and fragile, compared to many other Ferraris of that era. In about 1985, I dated a woman who had one in her garage buried under a pile of clothing and fabric. I about fell over when I discovered it. "Oh. THAT. I got it in the divorce."
    - ChuckNorris89 4y ago
      Your anecdote is the best anti-marriage ad I ever saw. :)
      - Grazester 4y ago
        Prenup
    - technothrasher 4y ago
      > They are very (very) high maintenance, and fragile, compared to many other Ferraris of that era. I’ve worked on them, and they’re certainly not more fragile than say a 365BB. But show me any Ferrari from that era and I’ll show you a basket case. But the 246 is tiny inside and annoying to drive for somebody six feet tall like me. I’m also the only one, it seems, who doesn’t think they’re as pretty as everyone makes out. I think the latter 308GTB is the best looking of that line. Even of the Dinos, I like the Fiat Dino spider better. But I realize and accept that the whole world thinks I’m wrong on this.

hyperhopper 4y ago

Seems like a wild oversight to not include this in an article about the rivalry

dotancohen 4y ago
Despite the title, the article is not about the rivalry. The article is about the history of Lamborghini, up to and including the modern era. The rivalry is not really even discussed in the article, other than passing mention in the first few paragraphs.

kwatsonafter 4y ago