Suggestion for a good Ferrari book?

[ibmiked]

Without being run out of town, what's a good/great/required Ferrari reference book? I want to be able to look up and see the difference between different models and years explained in text and illustrated in color pictures.

I'm not looking for an Enzo biography or a puff piece on the company. I'm guessing somewhere out there is a 'definitive' guide or a Ferrari 'bible'.

Thanks!
-Mike

[naparsei]

There is a book that lists every serial number, along w/ color, etc. I have it, but it's not handy. I would recommend F-chat for specific requests. (ferrarichat.com) I am sure the book you are looking for exists, but cannot think of it off the top of my head. It's probably not much help, but the owner's site has details on all models, including pretty rare ones.

A

[John Z Goriup]

If you're not looking for detailed material on specific individual Ser.# cars, one-offs or custom-made Ferraris, but just good, well-researched and reliable information on the entire spectrum of Ferraris from the very beginning to & including the 599, then I suggest "Ferrari, Road and Racing" authored by my friend Winston Goodfellow, published by Publications International, Ltd. ISBN: 1-4127-1204-1in 2005.

Available at the mass marketers ( Border's, Barnes & Noble, etc) at a discounted price, and actually a pretty readable piece of work. Color photos of all models, brief, cogent descriptions of each, specs, and divided into three main sections:

The Road Cars
The Sports Racing Cars
The Formula 1 cars

You're welcome to PM me for specific recommendations involving other Ferrari literature.

JZG

[IPF]

Without being run out of town, what's a good/great/required Ferrari reference book? I want to be able to look up and see the difference between different models and years explained in text and illustrated in color pictures.

I'm not looking for an Enzo biography or a puff piece on the company. I'm guessing somewhere out there is a 'definitive' guide or a Ferrari 'bible'.

Thanks!
-Mike

Mike,

Don't worry, not all Ferrari guys hate Porsche and/or the other way around. I happen to own a 328 AND am looking at early 911s in earnest. Great marques, both of them, each with their own strengths and peccadilloes.

Don't know about the definitive F-Bible, but for a few bucks why don't you at least pick up "Ferrari - All Cars" by Leonardo Acerbi. It's a nice, unassuming guide, which has a page or 2 on any racer and/or street model ever produced since the early years until a few years back (don't know by heart where it ends, but I guess at the 430 or so, could look that up later if you wish).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferrari-All-.../dp/1844253120

Now, if you want to get considerably more in-depth, do consider the excellent books by Keith Bluemel, which however due to their depth cover far smaller parts of the model spectrum per title. These books are increasingly hard to find, esp. the orginal V8-one: regular channels have that as of $300 or so, but do look for good 2nd hands and you should be able to get one for $50-100 in Europe (online):

- "Original Ferrari V8" (sublime guide to 70s/80s/90s V8s)
- "Original Ferrari V12 1965-1973" (similar, for older V12s)
- "Ferrari - The Road Cars" (older, easy to get, less in-depth)
- "Ferrari - The Racing Cars" (older, easy to get, less in-depth)
- "The Complete Ferrari" (with Roger Hicks; older, easy to get, less in-depth)

Have fun with the horse from the other stable!

O yeah, as forums go: also try www.ferrarilife.com and www.f-chat.eu (next to the already mentioned www.ferrarichat.com).

Ciao,
Irvin
.

[ibmiked]

Thank you both, these are great starting points. I do enjoy the cars considerably (from a distance). Oftentimes a specific model will be referred to in the literature I am constantly reading. It would be nice to put a picture to the image, and perhaps be able to read some cursory facts and insights about the model.

My lack of model-specific knowledge is primarily with the older cars, so your suggestions are keeping in line with my needs.

Thank you again for your input,

-Mike

[Scott Clarke]

Although not exactly what you are asking for, Ferrari- 1947-1997, The Official Book is a very nice, Ferrari-published affair that deals with the Ferrari from a number of perspectives, including a chapter on technical innovations by Ludvigsen. It is a beautiful book that you will eat up if you have any significant interest in the marque. Great photos of things you don't see in most publications (consider the archives available to the publisher!).

[berettafan]

Find the Victory By Design Ferrari episode on DVD while you're at it. Automotive pornography at its best.