The Californified ferrari as I jokingly called it while discussing with my friend a truly odd ball Ferrari that one would not have heard or come across. Those who have seen or heard of this Ferrari would have the statement or expression as “oh that Ferrari” or “is that even a Ferrari”. Which Ferrari am I talking about, you ask? It's none other than the Ferrari 3Z Spider concept, designed by Carrozzeria Zagato and shown first at the 1971 Turin motor show. About the design and the car Luigi Chinetti The car was under Luigi Chinetti's commission, the design is distinctive from other custom body Ferrari’s. Zagato was a famous coach designer from Milan, Italy. The car was commissioned by Luigi Chinetti, a famous Italian race car driver. After immigrating to the United States during World War II, he went on to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans twelve times, winning on three occasions, and claimed two victories at the 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps. He went on to create the North Ameri...
While scrolling through YouTube, a clip of an old, screaming F1-style V12 engine stopped me in my tracks. That unforgettable sound led me down a rabbit hole—one that ended with a stunning, coachbuilt Ferrari from the 1950s. The car? A rare and elegant 250 Europa. And the coachbuilder behind it? None other than Vignale . This car marked the beginning of Ferrari’s legendary 250 GT line—arguably the most iconic and successful series in the brand’s history. And more specifically, it was designed by Giovanni Michelotti, a name that may not be as well-known as Giugiaro, Gandini, or Pininfarina, but whose influence in automotive design runs deep. Michelotti crafted timeless designs for Triumph, Alfa Romeo, and even Ferrari—each filled with distinct character and elegance. Setting the Stage: Ferrari in the 1950s Back in the early '50s, Ferrari was still a motorsport-centric name. Its presence on the road was limited mostly to the 212 Inter , a gorgeous grand tourer powered by the Gioacchin...