After ending his agreement with Alfa Romeo in 1939, Enzo Ferrari faced significant struggles in establishing his own race team and automobile company. Due to a contractual agreement with Alfa Romeo, he couldn’t use his name in association with racing for four years, leading him to found Auto Avio Costruzioni instead. World War II further complicated matters, forcing Ferrari to shift operations from Modena to Maranello due to bombings. Post-war economic challenges, scarce resources, and limited funding added to the difficulties. Despite these obstacles, Ferrari’s relentless passion for motorsport drove him to create his first true Ferrari car, the 125 S, in 1947.
From 1947 to 1952, Enzo Ferrari focused on building his newly established Ferrari marque into a racing powerhouse. In 1947, he unveiled the Ferrari 125 S, the first car to bear his name, powered by a V12 engine designed by Gioachino Colombo. Success came quickly, with victories in various Italian races, but Ferrari’s ambitions extended to international competitions. The early years were marked by fierce competition with established brands like Maserati and Alfa Romeo. In 1952, Ferrari’s efforts paid off when Alberto Ascari won the Formula One World Championship, securing the first of many titles for Ferrari and cementing the brand’s legacy in motorsport.
World-class product
Without question, this early era of Ferrari establishing his brand can now be looked back upon as the foundation from which the storied marque was built upon. It has been said many times, “A picture is worth a thousand words” could not be a more appropriate phrase for understanding the significance of the book, Millanta on Ferrari – 1947–1952. For this project, the author, Alessandro Silva, had exclusive access to one of the most special photo archives in the automotive field, with photos of great quality and significance.
Photographer Corrado Millanta
The photographer Corrado Millanta, who died in 1983 at the age of 74, was a trained industrial designer and engineer. One of his great passions was photography. As a result, he developed close friendships with automotive designers, engineers, and racing drivers, which gave him exceptional access and special proximity to racing departments, design studios, test drives, and races.
This high-quality illustrated book beautifully summarizes Millanta’s view of Ferrari from 1947-1952. Rare and very private photographs from the factory premises, from the construction of the cars, test drives and races give an unprecedented insight into the early years of the Scuderia and Enzo Ferrari’s work.
Technical Data
- Language: English
- Pages: 352
- Size: 300 x 370 mm / ca. 11.8” x 14.6”
- Author: Alessandro Silva
- Foreword: Piero Ferrari and MariaTeresa Millanta
- Photos: 338 b/w and 8 color photographs
- ISBN: 978-3945390184
- Release: April 2024
Limited edition
- Limited to 550 numbered copies
- Configuration: Clothbound hardcover and slipcase with embossing, high-quality offset and silk screen print.
Collector’s edition
- Limited to 75 numbered copies, signed by MariaTeresa Millanta and Alessandro Silva.
- Configuration: Clothbound hardcover and slipcase with embossing, high-quality offset and silk screen print in a decorative collector’s box together with a b/w-photo print on baryte.
Ferrari edition
- Limited to 47 numbered copies, signed by Piero Ferrari
- Configuration: Clothbound hardcover and slipcase with high-quality offset and silk screen print in a decorative collector’s box
Available now
All editions are available at www.sportfahrer-zentrale.com
Images above © 2024 The Klemantaski Collection, Sportfahrer Verlag, reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee
