Today we see the Italian racing cars, especially those of the pre- and immediately post-War period, as style icons and works of art. But in their day they had only one purpose: first place on the race track. “Cars are beautiful when they win,” as Enzo Ferrari once said. As long ago as 1929, Scuderia Ferrari was racing against the Maserati brothers of Bologna, but with Alfa Romeos, rather than Ferrari-badged cars. After the war, Ferrari began producing his own race car and achieved ever-greater successes on track. During the 1950s, Ferrari and Maserati drivers shared a great many podiums, with some of the top drivers, such as Juan Manuel Fangio, driving for both teams (as well as for the Italian marques’ great rivals from Germany, in the shape of Mercedes-Benz and the fearsome Silver Arrows).

For the exhibition The Great Challenges, Ferrari – Maserati, 19 legendary Italian racing cars of both breeds have been brought together from that time, cars such as the Ferrari 340MM, Maserati 250F, Ferrari 330 P and the Maserati A6 GCS/53, to name but four. As well as the cars themselves, the exhibition will also tell the story of each car and its racing history, with interactive screens to help visitors understand the historical context and allow them to feel truly immersed in this golden era of racing.

Photos: Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari