If we tell you that Enzo Ferrari liked Ferraris and big powerful cars, you will tell us nothing surprising. But if we told you that he liked small Italians and French cars, you will tell us that it is surprising, a story verified by his acquisitions, he had 3 Minis and 3 Peugeots, and the revelations of his close relations.
John Cooper confessed that Enzo Ferrari had ordered 3 MINI Cooper S and that he used them to drive on the nearby mountain roads.
However, Enzo, true to himself, made some modifications to his taste. Note the relocation of the front indicators which leave their place to additional headlights, modification of the position lights, red leather seats and dashboard, radio with preset channels, switches, gauges, rearview mirrors.
Il Comendatore does not stop there, because among the modifications, there is also the Downton dashboard by Hopper (famous coachbuilder of English cars manufactured by Peter Sellers MINI which costs 4 times the factory price), swivel seats, position of the rearview mirror, radio and front speaker...
Second discovery, Enzo and the Peugeot
But he had even more affection for ... Peugeot, he had 3, a 404 saloon (grey with beige upholstery to which some personal modifications were made with the addition of a Nardi steering wheel and headlights taken from a Lancia Flaminia), a 504 saloon and a 504 coupe.
He himself drove the 404 before his knee problem prevented him from continuing to drive, so he switched to the 504 saloon in 1969, then in 1973 to the 504 coupe, considered more ''sexy''.
The racing team used Peugeot wagons as support vehicles.
Il Commendator's personal driver recounts this period in an interview with the Italian Peugeot Club on 03/26/2013.
We bring you this interview:
When did you start with Ferrari?
In 1966, at that time, I saw Enzo Ferrari using a 404 saloon for his daily trips.
Driven by a chauffeur?
He always drove with a person who, from February 1969 to August 1988, when he died, was me. Until 1972, he drove and I was next to him. Then because of a knee problem, he decided that I would always drive.
Did you go far with the car?
It was used for local trips of 200 to 300 km, such as to go to the Monza circuit.
What was the 404 saloon like?
It was metallic gray with beige leather upholstery and a radio. The steering wheel had been replaced by a special Nardi one and fog lights from a Lancia Flaminia had been installed at the front.
What other car did Enzo Ferrari use daily?
In winter, mainly with snow, he preferred a front-wheel drive, a Mini Cooper given to him by Alec Issigonis, father of the Mini. He also owned a Ferrari 365GT, mainly used as a demonstrator.
How did Enzo Ferrari begin to appreciate Peugeot cars?
He had a very close relationship with Pininfarina, who designed the Peugeot; and Martino Severi, the Interauto Peugeot dealer, gave it to him.
I had heard that there were relatives who first made him appreciate the Peugeot?
A sister of his wife lived in Marseille or Nice and it is possible that she went to Modena with a Peugeot.
How long did the Peugeot 404 Enzo Ferrari's daily car last?
Shortly after my arrival in 1969, it was replaced by a 504 saloon, dark blue metallic with beige interior without sunroof and without modifications. He often drove it with me next to him and sometimes a bodyguard in the back seat.
Was it followed by other Peugeots?
Yes, in 1970 or 1971 we arrived with a first blue 504 coupe model with a blue velvet interior, a very comfortable and reliable car. The car was changed around 1973, then we used cars from the Fiat group.
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