Why Is Ferrari Red? - GearShifters (2024)

Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia, and subsequently Ferrari and Abarth Italian race cars have been painted in rosso corsa since the 1920s (“racing red”). The organizations that would later become the FIA suggested this as Italy’s traditional national racing color between the two world wars. French cars were blue (Bleu de France) under that scheme of international auto racing colors, British cars were green (British racing green), etc.

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A little over 40% of the new Ferraris sold are requested in red. This may seem like a large figure, but when you consider that in the early 1990s, almost 85% of new automobiles were ordered in red, you might infer that consumers are getting a little more imaginative and open-minded.

This transaction is intriguing because the customers frequently opt for different colors like silver, black, yellow, or blue. Even Ferrari was aware of this trend, and in recent years, the majority of new vehicles weren’t introduced in a shade of red. Instead, the 458 Speciale Aperta and F12tdf, the LaFerrari Aperta, and the 488 Pista Spider were introduced in yellow, black, and white, respectively.

The meaning of a red Ferrari

Rosso Corsa, which translates to “Racing Red,” is one red in particular that stands out in Ferrari’s color swatch book. The implication is clear: Red signifies Ferrari’s very lifeblood because it is the traditional international color of Italian racing vehicles.

Do Ferraris come just in red?

Although the majority of Ferraris sold from the 1940s until the beginning of the 2000s had red liveries, not all Ferraris are red. In truth, Ferrari has in the past painted several of its cars in hues other than red and white, including black, yellow (Giallo Modena), blue, and white.

Although the Rossa Corsa is the color most often associated with the Ferrari, customers have other color choices as well.

How many Ferraris are red, on average?

Today, you can get a Ferrari in a few various hues, including metallic grey, brilliant yellow, and black. However, the number of available colors is still somewhat limited. Of course, red is still the most recognizable color for a Ferrari. In fact, the majority of ardent collectors believe that the signature red of a Ferrari is the only color appropriate for such an iconic automobile. Any other hue is heresy. Red makes up 45% of today’s Ferrari sales. You might be surprised to learn that the first Ferraris were entirely red. In the beginning, there was only one color option. “Rosso Scuderia” is the name of the red paint in official documents. Even while the Ferrari name may now be associated with the color red, this was never a particularly clever marketing ploy. In the early days of auto racing, the International Automobile Federation unavoidably gave all Italian grand prix race cars the color red. In essence, their red paint job was dictated by the fact that Ferrari built Italian race cars, and the rest is history.

How many red Ferraris are sold?

Only 45% of Ferraris sold in the last few years have been painted red, according to figures that Ferrari revealed today. Compare that to the early 1990s when 85% of the population was red.

Rosso Corsa is the only option for many Ferrari enthusiasts, but it’s important to keep in mind that some historically noteworthy Ferraris were painted in colors other than red. For instance, the 1957 250 GT had a white body and a green roof and won both the 2009 Villa d’Este and the 2010 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic Concours d’Elegance.

According to Ferrari, the popularity of two-tone liveries is rising as more and more of its clients opt for a custom color for their own customized automobiles. The vintage automobiles of the 1950s and 1960s served as inspiration for Ferrari’s new collection of ten refined and exclusive “historic” hues, the company claims. The selection includes intriguing colors with names like Blu Scozia, a stylish dark pastel blue commonly worn by cars racing in the Tourist Trophy, Avio Met, a bright, ultra-sporty blue, and Vinaccia, which Ferrari claims is brimming with character and individuality.

The well-known Italian manufacturer has created and unveiled a sophisticated painting method that gives their vehicles an even glossier finish. To generate a deeper, more brighter color on the bodywork than a conventional metallic paint job could, the paint is sprayed in three consecutive layers using the so-called “three-layer” process. Additionally, the paintwork has an iridescent sheen that stands out when sunlight strikes it in different ways. This three-layer method produces a particularly dramatic look when combined with a two-tone livery.

Do more Ferrari owners choosing colors other than red for their most recent Ferraris thrill or disappoint you?

What shade does Ferrari claim to be?

You might be surprised to learn that Enzo Ferrari didn’t choose the characteristic Ferrari red hue on purpose; rather, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile gave Rosso Corsa, the racing red color, to all Italian Grand Prix racecars at the time the manufacturer was founded (FIA)

What scent does Ferrari red have?

Ferrari’s Scuderia Ferrari Red is a citrus scent for males. In 2010, Scuderia Ferrari Red made its debut. Petitgrain, Orange, Lemon Verbena, Mint, Galbanum, and Bergamot are the top notes. Jasmine, Geranium, Nutmeg, and Orris are the middle notes. Sandalwood, Moss, Cedar, and Vanilla are the base notes.

Why can’t a Ferrari be painted a different color?

Customers of high-end supercars and luxury automobiles have recently benefited from the benefits of automakers’ offers to paint vehicles in virtually any hue or shade imaginable. It is possible if you have the funds. Unless you own a Ferrari, that is.

The color red is painted on about one-third of new Ferrari vehicles. Not surprising. Other common colors include silver, black, and white, but the Italian company has prohibited its clients from purchasing pink.

Herbert Appleroth, the chief executive of Ferrari Australasia, recently told News that pink doesn’t fit the company’s spirit.

“To be honest, it simply doesn’t align with our entire culture. A brand rule governs it. Zero Pink. No Ferraris with Pokemons! There are other colors that aren’t in our DNA that are very lovely, but some of them may be better suited to other companies “explained he.

Ferrari’s Tailor Made program enables buyers to purchase customized products, but owners rarely choose striking finishes in comparison to competitors like Porsche and McLaren.

How come Ferraris can’t be pink?

The CEO of Ferrari Australasia, Herbert Appleroth, claims that the solution is actually fairly straightforward. To be honest, he says, “It just doesn’t fit into our whole mindset.” “No pink is a brand requirement. No Ferraris with Pokemon.”

“Globally, we don’t want two automobiles to be the identical, as Enzo Ferrari once said, ‘a different Ferrari for every Ferrari-ista. There are several levels of customization, ranging from sitting in the dealership and going over all of your possibilities to the custom program where you fly to Italy to the factory in Maranello and sit in the atelier and hammer out your specifics.”

So, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Almost anything is available for your upcoming Ferrari. As long as the pink is not mentioned in any way.

Do Ferrari vehicles come in yellow?

Since 1951, more than 50 teams have chosen to use the color yellow on their race vehicles, and in January a Ferrari claimed yet another victory while donning this scheme.

What Ferrari color is the rarest?

In the 1980s, Verde Chiaro was listed as a Ferrari color. Never have I seen or heard of a car being delivered in that hue. Every other stock factory color of the 328 is represented in images I have (even Oro Chiaro and Prunga)

Are black Ferraris possible?

If you picture a normal Lamborghini, you probably picture something that is a bright hue of nuclear green or acid orange. But if you picture a standard Ferrari, you probably picture something considerably more subdued.

There’s no denying that the iconic Ferrari color is Rosso Corsa red, but there’s also yellow, that co*ke-dealer white made popular by the Testarossa in Miami Vice, silver, black, and… That’s pretty much it.

Ferraris typically avoid the more-money-than-sense hues of other supercars, appearing instead in a set of quite restricted, rather practical colors. Ferraris are typically purchased solely by the mega-rich. Why?

It turns out that there is a very excellent reason why you can only order a Ferrari in a select few colors, regardless of your financial situation, and it has everything to do with Ferrari’s closely guarded brand reputation.

What makes Ferrari cool?

Ferrari won numerous international professional racing championships as a result of Enzo Ferrari’s passion to create amazing race vehicles. The Ferrari triumph at the 1990 French Grand Prix, which became Ferrari the first team to accumulate 100 victories on the racetrack, is the most noteworthy accomplishment. Great racers like Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost accomplished landmarks that improved Ferrari’s standing in the public eye.

Ferrari currently has more than 5,000 awards in its collection, including 216 F1 Grand Prix triumphs, 14 Sports Car Manufacturers’ World Championships, 15 F1 Drivers’ World Championships, 8 Mile Miglia titles, and victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours and Targa Florio.

Exactly why is Lamborghini superior to Ferrari?

Power. No Lamborghini maximizes its powertrains the way Ferrari does. Currently, Lamborghini offers V8, V10, and V12 engine options, with the V12 reaching a maximum output of 759 horsepower. Ferrari now offers V8 and V12 engine variants.

Do Ferraris come in white?

This is your chance to own a unique Ferrari Enzo, if you’ve ever wanted one. At this time, RM Sotheby’s is holding an auction for the lone Enzo that was ever factory finished in white.

Since its construction in 2003, the unique Enzo, known by its chassis number 133023, has been hardly seen. It is the only Enzo that has ever been sent in white, having been finished in the color Bianco Avus. It only has 9,600 kilometers (or 6,000 miles) on the odometer and had its yearly service conducted in March of this year. It is being put up for auction.

400 units total were produced, making chassis 133023 even more unique. It is one of just 20 “Extracampionario” vehicles that were shipped with an unusual paint job. These vehicles were only given to Ferrari’s most cherished and devoted clients, demonstrating the status the original owner possessed within the company.

A black leather inside contrasts sharply with the stunning white finish. The interior of the vehicle additionally includes extra-large carbon buckets with uncommon black cloth inserts. The dash instruments are coated in Rosso Corsa. The fact that the car comes with its “Red Book” from the Ferrari Classiche department will please purists. This substantiates Ferrari’s own personnel’s assessment of the car’s condition and matching-numbers status.

The German-Swiss millionaire who bought the car originally had it primarily hidden away for the last 18 years. The automobile was then shipped to the owner via Symbol Automobiles in Switzerland from Ferrari Central Europe in Germany. The owner drove the vehicle infrequently, thus it spent the most of its time sitting in the dealership window.

After that, the vehicle was exported to Hong Kong in 2011 but didn’t get registered there because it was left-hand drive. Since then, it has been momentarily brought into Canada, and the winning bidder may have to pay import taxes. The photographs from the auction, however, seem to have been taken near the Hong Kong shoreline.

The Ferrari Enzo was created as a tribute to Enzo Ferrari, the company’s founder. It had a powerful 8,200 rpm redline and a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 with 651 horsepower. The mid-engined supercar was constructed with a carbon composite body, an automated manual transmission, carbon brakes adapted from F1 technology, as well as active aero to help keep it firmly planted on the asphalt.

The Enzo will be up for auction starting at 9 a.m. BST on June 29 and ending at 5 p.m. BST on June 30. Since it is being auctioned without a reserve, you could potentially find a fantastic deal if every major Ferrari collector on the planet manages to miss it. Although we wouldn’t wager on it, may the chances always be in your favor.

Why Is Ferrari Red? - GearShifters (2024)

FAQs

Why does Ferrari use red? ›

Italy's national racing color was red, and consequently, Ferrari embraced the red hue for their vehicles. This change occurred in the late 1920s when the International Automobile Federation (FIA) assigned specific colors to different countries.

Which Ferrari was only made in red? ›

Some of the most iconic Ferrari models of all, such as the 288 GTO, were only available in this shade of red.

What is the most popular Ferrari color? ›

About 40% of the new cars that Ferrari sells, is ordered in red.

Does your first Ferrari have to be red? ›

While Ferraris are traditionally red — and they look good in red — there is no requirement that your first Ferrari be red. That said, if you're looking for an older Ferrari around Chicago, the odds are that you'll find it in red: more than 85% of all Ferraris that were produced before the turn of the century were red.

Does Ferrari own the red color? ›

No, Ferrari does not have a patent for the red color. It is not possible to patent a color. While a color can be trademarked, it would be very difficult to do so. Ferrari's traditional red color is not patented or trademarked, and it is readily available from Ferrari's OEM paint suppliers, as well as other companies.

Are all Ferraris sold red? ›

While red is the most iconic shade for the prancing horse, there are a variety of diversified Ferrari colors available, including bright and pearled yellows (Giallo Modena and Giallo Triplo Strato), or gorgeous historic and rare blues (Blu Pozzi or Azzuro Dino) or amazing whites (Bianco Avus or Bianco Italia).

Who had the first black Ferrari? ›

Maradona spoke with Guillermo Coppola, who was his representative, to ask for a black Ferrari, when the Italian brand only generated cars in red. The car was paid for by Corrado Ferlaino, president of Napoli at that time, and it cost him 430 thousand dollars.

What color was the first Ferrari? ›

The most classic of Ferrari color is red, of course, so it should come as no surprise that the first models were in fact red.

Was Ferrari originally yellow? ›

But in fact yellow was the colour chosen by Enzo when creating the brand which still carries over in the shield today. However when the FIA decided all Italian racing cars must be painted red, Ferrari were the only group to stick with the colour into later years.

Why does Ferrari have a horse logo? ›

In 1923, Enzo Ferrari won an opportunity to meet Count Enrico Baracca and Countess Paolina Baracca in person after winning a race at the Savio circuit in Ravenna. And it was there when the Countess suggested Enzo should brand his vehicles with the prancing horse for good luck.

What is better, Ferrari or Lamborghini? ›

Ferraris are known for their raw power and aggression, with a focus on performance, while Lamborghinis are more refined and luxurious. Regarding speed, the prancing horse is renowned for its acceleration off the line and ability to reach top speeds quickly.

What color is Ferrari logo? ›

The Ferrari logo—an all-black stallion rearing up against a bright yellow background—is instantly recognizable all around the world.

What colors does Ferrari not allow? ›

Rule number one: no pink Ferraris allowed. "We do reject the exterior colour pink," explains Ferrari Australasia's President and CEO Herbert Appleroth. "You can of course paint your car pink after you've bought it, but you'll never see a pink car from us because it's not in line with our brand ethos and our standards."

How many Ferrari Reds are there? ›

Today, nine distinct red hues are available to clients through Ferrari's configurator before they explore creating their own unique paint. Together, these colours, with their history and evolution, have become signatures of the Prancing Horse's road and competition models.

Who is Ferrari owned by? ›

The primary owner of Ferrari is the investing public, while Piero Ferrari — Enzo's second son — also holds a significant ownership stake, with Exor N.V. rounding out ownership of the company. Exor N.V. is a company controlled by descendants of one of Fiat's original founders, Giovanni Agnelli.

Why is Ferrari red and not yellow? ›

The first cars that Scuderia Ferrari raced were red (they were Alfa Romeos, actually) simply because red was the traditional racing color of Italy.

Why doesn t Ferrari allow pink cars? ›

Ferrari maintains a stringent brand rule against pink exteriors. They perceive this color as inconsistent with their brand standards and ethos. Any desire to paint a Ferrari pink must be fulfilled post-purchase and outside of the official Ferrari facilities.

What is the forbidden Ferrari color? ›

In the Italian automaker's eyes, speccing your prancing horse in garish colors is practically blasphemous, which is why you'll never see a pink Ferrari roll off the production line. "It just doesn't fit into our whole ethos to be honest," Ferrari's Australasia CEO Herbert Appleroth explained to news.com.au.

Why is Ferrari red and Lamborghini yellow? ›

The red color wasn't the companies choice. Lamborghini larousse was noteworthy for spewing oil from its exhaust systems so cars following it were mostly coloured in yellowish shades.

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