The first Ferrari – The story of the 125 S model from 1947

70 years ago, the first Ferrari came to life when Enzo Ferrari started the engine of the 125 S on March 12, 1947. This historic moment marked the beginning of one of the most famous automotive brands of all time. The first test on the streets of Maranello represented not a simple ride, but the birth of a legend that would change the world of motoring forever.

The world’s first Ferrari, the 125 S, made its official debut on the Piacenza circuit on 11 May 1947, with Franco Cortese at the wheel. Although leading the race, the car had to retire due to fuel pump failure. However, just 9 days later, the same car demonstrated the extraordinary potential of the brand, winning the Rome Grand Prix with an average speed of 88.5 km/h. Thus, the first Ferrari model achieved the first of six victories that year. In this article we will explore the fascinating history of this legendary automobile and its impact on the history of motoring.

The birth of a legend: the background of the 125 S model

The history of the first Ferrari has its roots in 1939, when Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo after a disagreement with director Ugo Gobbato. The separation agreement prevented him from using the Ferrari name for the next four years. However, this did not discourage the ambitious Italian.

After leaving Alfa, Enzo founded the Auto Avio Costruzioni company, which initially produced components for other teams. Despite contractual constraints, he managed to produce two cars for the 1940 Mille Miglia, driven by Alberto Ascari and Lotario Rangoni. This first car, called Auto Avio Costruzioni 815, can be considered the spiritual ancestor of the Ferrari brand.

During the war the factory produced aeronautical components and machinery for the Italian army, orders which brought huge amounts of capital to the company. At the end of the war, in 1945, Enzo decided to start producing cars under his own name, founding Ferrari SpA in 1947.

The first car to bear the Ferrari emblem was the 125 S. Its name derives from the unit displacement of the cylinders: 125 cc multiplied by 12 cylinders gives the engine 1,500 cc. Developed by engineer Gioacchino Colombo, with contributions from Giuseppe Busso and Luigi Bazzi, this V12 engine produced almost 120 HP at 6,800 rpm.

The light and rigid tubular frame was produced by the Gilco company in Milan, which specializes in high-strength steel tubes for the aeronautical industry.

The debut in racing and the first challenges

The official debut of the first Ferrari on the track has been meticulously prepared. For the Piacenza race on 11 May 1947, Scuderia Ferrari entered two cars: Franco Cortese’s 125 S and Nino Farina’s narrow single-seater 125 C (Competizione). However, the situation became tense when Farina, dissatisfied with the assigned car, asked for his teammate’s vehicle. When Enzo Ferrari refused the exchange, Farina did not show up at the start.

Cortese set the best time in qualifying and, despite a slow start, managed to take the lead of the race. Unfortunately, a fuel pump failure forced him to retire with just three laps to go. This unsuccessful debut was called «a promising failure» by Enzo Ferrari himself.

However, the failure was short-lived. Just two weeks later, on May 25, the same 125 S took part in the Rome Grand Prix. Although it encountered problems in practice due to a seized bearing, the car was quickly repaired at a local workshop.

In the race Cortese dueled intensely only with Guido Barbieri in the Maserati, trailing the rest of the competitors by at least one lap. Ferrari won by more than 10 seconds ahead of Barbieri’s Maserati, marking the brand’s first official victory.

In the following four months the 125 S took part in another 13 races, obtaining a total of six victories. Among these, one of the most important was the Parma race with the legendary Tazio Nuvolari at the wheel.

The legacy of the 125 S in the history of Ferrari

The 125 S is much more than the first car to bear the Ferrari brand: it is the cornerstone of a legendary automotive empire. Its legacy transcended the technical aspects, marking the beginning of an automotive dynasty that would redefine the concept of performance.

With only two examples ever built, the 125 S has become one of the rarest and most valuable Ferraris in history. Although today an original example can be worth more than RON 427 million, its symbolic value for the history of motoring remains priceless.

Impressive racing successes – six victories out of 14 races in 1947 – demonstrated Enzo Ferrari’s vision and established the brand’s DNA: innovation, excellence and passion for racing. These fundamental principles still guide the development of every Ferrari model today.

Furthermore, the V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo, with contributions from Giuseppe Busso and Luigi Bazzi, became iconic for Ferrari. This engine configuration has constantly evolved, defining numerous iconic models in the decades since, including the 250 GTO, the Daytona and, most recently, the LaFerrari.

Therefore, the 125 S represents not just the beginning of a company, but the birth of a philosophy that combines exceptional engineering and pure performance. Ferrari turned the initial setback into a series of triumphs, demonstrating Enzo’s determination to create exceptional automobiles that constantly push the boundaries of the possible. Every Ferrari produced since then carries the spirit of this first revolutionary model in its DNA.

Ferrari Rome

2020

•

22,150 km

•

Gas

€214,279

VAT deductible

Ferrari 296 GTB

2022

•

22,750 km

•

Hybrid plug-in

€271,618

VAT deductible

Ferrari 296 GTB

2022

•

25,900 km

•

Hybrid plug-in

€271,618

VAT deductible

Conclusion

The story of the first Ferrari 125 S is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of world motoring. This legendary automobile completely transformed the world of racing cars and laid the foundations for a brand that today symbolizes technical perfection and pure passion. As we have seen, the debut of the 125 S was not without obstacles, which however were soon overcome.

The extraordinary success of this first model – six victories in just 14 races in 1947 – demonstrates Enzo Ferrari’s extraordinary vision. The V12 engine specially designed for the 125 S has since become a distinctive signature of the Ferrari brand, a characterizing element that has evolved over the decades, but retains its original essence.

Although only two examples have been built today, the 125 S’s legacy lives on in every modern Ferrari. The core values ​​established 70 years ago – performance, innovation and engineering excellence – remain unchanged in the company’s philosophy.

In retrospect, we can truly appreciate the significance of this courageous first step taken by Enzo Ferrari. The 125 S wasn’t just a car: it was the manifestation of an ambitious dream that grew to become one of the most prestigious brands in the world. Thus, the first Ferrari in history continues to inspire generations of engineers, drivers and car enthusiasts, demonstrating that determination and passion can transform even a «promising failure» into an immortal legend.