All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

The “father” of the Ferrari F40 died at the age of 83

The Ferrari F40 is one of the icons of the Italian manufacturer and the latest model to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. However, few people know that Nicola Materazzi is considered the father of this car, but they will after Drive Experiecne announced that he has passed away at the age of 83.

Before arriving at Ferrari, Materazzi worked at another Italian car manufacturer, Lancia. He will be remembered as a member of the team that developed the legendary Lancia Flavia and Fulvia, as well as the Lancia Stratos rally car. Then, in the early 80s, he moved to Ferrari, where he left the biggest mark. As a mechanical engineer, he worked on the development of as many as ten Ferrari cars, the most famous of which are the 288 GTO and the F40.

After Ferrari, Nicola Materazzi moved to Bugatti, where he worked as technical team leader for the 1991 Bugatti EB110 GT and 1992 Bugatti EB110 SS. At the end of his career, B Engineering took over the development of the Edonis using leftover parts from the abandoned Bugatti EB110 production facility.

Materazzi was born in 1939 in the province of Salerno in southern Italy, studied at the University of Naples and had a rich career. The fact that he built his first go-kart as a 22-year-old in the early 60s shows how much of a car enthusiast he was. He is considered a leading turbocharging specialist in Italy.

Source: Drive Experience

Auctions, News

1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider sold for $22 million

Recently at RM Sotheby’s auction, one of only two 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider ever produced sold for $22 million. The car was built for a special race that never took place.

In the mid-50s, Ferrari was successful in racing, but to win the FIA ​​World Sportscar championship it was necessary to win the five-day race Carrera Panamericana. For this purpose, Ferrari created the 410 Sport Spider. It is an exceptional car that is the dream of most collectors. The car achieved several major victories and was driven by some well-known names from the world of racing such as Juan Manuel Fangio and the legendary Carroll Shelby. In fact, Shelby scored more wins in this car than any other he drove during his career.

The Ferrari 410 Sport Spider is one of only two ever produced, and is powered by a 24-spark plug 4.9-liter V-12 engine with 400 hp (294 kW) and 403 lb-ft (546 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed gearbox.

Although it was specially built for the Carrera Panamericana race, the race never took place. Instead, it participated in the World Sports Car Championship in 1956. The body of the car was made by Sergio Scaglietti. It is equipped with an original fuel tank inscribed by Shelby: “Mr. Ferrari told me that this was the best Ferrari he ever built.”

The car recently underwent a full Ferrari Classiche inspection and a detailed report is on file should the next inspector wish to proceed with the Red Book.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

EV, News

2023 Skoda Vision 7S

The Czech car manufacturer Skoda will present its new SUV Vision 7S in a few days. It is a car with a bold design that is different from anything currently offered by the Czech company.

Skoda has released sketches of the upcoming car, which features a redesigned front end, two-row headlights positioned far into the car’s edges, a bumper with seven vertical slats (the central one is orange), an aluminum panel under the front, and taillights that form a T-shaped light signature. in combination with daytime running lights.

This spacious seven-seater offers enough space to accommodate six adult passengers (2+2+2) and a child seat integrated into the center console between the first and second row of seats. One of the novelties is the first time, vertically placed infotainment system.

When it comes to propulsion, the Czech manufacturer announced that the new SUV Vision 7S will be electric, with unknown power and performance.

Car production will begin at the end of the year, while the first copies should be delivered to owners in 2023.

Source: Škoda