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Throughout history and even into the present day, the performance and technical prestige of V12 engines have had an almost mystical appeal. One visionary carmaker to exploit their unique marketing value was Enzo Ferrari, who launched his eponymous firm in 1947 with a 1.5-liter V12 designed by engineer Gioacchino Colombo. Though Ferrari has since employed other engine configurations, Ferrari’s legacy is inseparable from that initial powertrain selection, which will be celebrated at this year’s Historic Festival Concours with a curated selection of classic 12-cylinder Ferrari coupes.
For Ferrari restorer Tom Yang, the enduring appeal of the Ferrari V12 comes from its characteristic mechanical music: “Not many other cars sound like that,” he says. “Ripping canvas, howl and scream, whatever you want to call it, you know right away it’s a Ferrari. Of course, the cars are beautiful inside out, but the fact they sound great really sets them apart.”
One of the featured cars at this year’s Concours will be a rare 250 Short Wheelbase (SWB). One of Ferrari’s most celebrated road and racing cars, the SWB was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. Its name derives from its 2,400 mm wheelbase, whose improved handling and agility propelled it to GT racing dominance ahead of the 250 GTO. The SWB was first shown in the US when Luigi Chinetti Sr. selected it for display at the 1960 New York Auto Show.
At the other extreme of Ferrari V12s on display will be an 812 Superfast. Producing just under 800 hp from its 6.5L V12, it’s capable of a top speed of 211 mph with 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated production car engine at the time of its launch in 2017.
Other 12-cylinder Ferraris planned for display include a Daytona, a 330 GTC, and a 550 Maranello, with others expected. Join us for this very special exhibition.
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