Ferrari officially marks 70th anniversary in 2017

On March 12, 1947, Enzo Ferrari fired up for the very first time the engine of the first car to bear his name--the Ferrari 125 S--with the first test drive on the streets of Maranello which followed thereafter marking the beginning of the Italian marque's history. Seventy years later and Ferrari has launched its official celebrations to mark its milestone anniversary.  

The very first Ferrari: the Ferrari 125 S

When the Ferrari 125 S first drove out of Ferrari's factory gates on Via Abetone Inferiore, it was still an unbodied steel rolling chassis. Two months later, on May 11, it made its race debut at the Piacenza Circuit with Franco Cortese behind the wheel. Though the car failed to finish the race because of its faulty fuel pump, Ferrari called it "a promising failure" as the problem reared its head as the 125 S was leading the race. Nine days later though, on May 20 at the Rome Grand Prix, Cortese claimed for Ferrari and the 125 S its first chequered flag, completing the 40-lap, 137-kilometer race at an average speed of 88.5 kph. It was the first of six victories for the 125 S in 1947, with the most notable being that of the Parma Grand Prix with Tazio Nuvolari doing the driving.  

Ferrari's latest hypercar: the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta

Seventy years later and Ferrari is marking its anniversary with a car that represents the brand's unique core values: the LaFerrari Aperta, the new limited-edition special series model dedicated to its most loyal clients and the spider version of the acclaimed LaFerrari supercar. Equipped with the same hybrid power unit as the coupe--a 789 hp, 6.3-liter V12 engine coupled with a 120 kW (161 hp) electric motor to give it a total power output of  950 hp--the LaFerrari Aperta "combines extraordinary performance with the unique exhilaration of open-top driving."  

A global celebration of Ferrari's 70 years

Throughout the year, over 60 countries will host events that will treat the clients and enthusiasts of the brand to a series of experiences as part of its "Driven to Emotion" concept, "one of the cornerstones on which the Ferrari story was founded and has flourished." Ferrari's 70th anniversary celebrations will then culminate in Maranello on the weekend of September 9 and 10 with different activities that will pay homage to the Cavallino Rampante history, including special exhibitions and the first "Cavalcade Classiche." More information on the LaFerrari Aperta, a recap of Ferrari's history, a gallery of Ferrari's road cars and F1 race cars, and the calendar of activities to celebrate the marque's milestone can be found on a special website at www.ferrari70.com. [embed>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9jPDKwSbKA[/embed>