Hundreds of the world’s most expensive and rarest sports cars sped through Nottingham to celebrate a world-leading car maker’s 70th anniversary.
More than 100 privately-owned Ferraris drove through Maid Marian Way and Friar Lane on Tuesday evening (July 25), as part of a series of worldwide jaunts celebrating the iconic brand’s 70th year.
The Italian sports car manufacturer was founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 and the company built its first car in 1940.
But the date of its inception is recognised as 1947 when the first car featuring the Ferrari badge was made.
Hundreds of car lovers of all ages gathered to watch some of the brand’s rarest and oldest cars.
An event was held at Belvoir Castle, in Leicestershire, earlier in the day where spectators had the chance to look at some of the classic motors.
Among the rarest on show was one owned by Tony Best dating back to 1952.
Tony bought the Ferrari 212, with a V12 engine, five years ago and said it looked “pretty unloved at the time” and “a bit battered”.
He said the interior was “all ripped out” but he invested “a lot of money” into doing it up.
“Over the last four of five years I’ve restored it back to how it looked in-period, because there’s lots of pictures of it racing that are around to look at,” he said.
“I’ve done gradually done it bit-by-bit: the outside and the interior – so everything’s been done over a period of time.”
The parade of cars was organised by Graypaul Nottingham Ferrari dealers, based on Lenton Lane.
Francesco Balli, regional manager of Ferrari North Europe, said: “This year is the 70th year of the company which was born in 1947.
“Only two months after the first presentation of the 125S, the first Ferrari, produced in 1947, we won our first race two months after in 1947 and, since then, the history is known.
“They are most elegant cars in the world in our opinion, and also the most attractive and popular and successful racing car in the history of motor sport.”
He added he believes the success and popularity of the brand, as well as its longevity, is down to elegance of the design and functionality of its cars.
“I think it is the design and elegance of the design but also the functionality because it is not just pure design, it is functional to the performance, to the aerodynamics,” he said.
“This makes Ferrari unique and consistent years over the 70 years of its history.”
