Ferrari Mailing List: Mauro Forghieri on Ferrari book and the 348

[Michel Savard (mysavard]

I"m reading Mauro Forghieri's book on his years at Ferrari. Very very interesting for the technical side of racing and the lack of money of the early years and through the 60s.

 

No gossip here. Not the Bernie Ecclestone's book. Far from "Hey I just made tea" (A MUST FOR ANY F1 FAN).

 

I have learned to respect Enzo Ferrari even more by reading this book. EVERYTHING he did was for his racing cars. NOTHING ELSE. Even in the early years, other teams came and went even if they were able to beat Ferrari with innovations, but left because money was scarced. Enzo kept going.

 

Near the end of Forghieri's years at Ferrari is also the period where Enzo was ill, not in great shape to command. Sharks were all around trying to get ahead seeing Enzo was not as in control as he used to be. You can tell Forghieri is frustrated. Suddenly the writing takes a different direction. The suits from FIAT took over.

 

Then on page 232, Forghieri writes: "The 408/4RM was unveiled at the 1987 Detroit Motor Show and generated a great deat of interest. But when the project was finished I clashed with Maranello's director of production who was cold towards the car, saying it embodied too much advanced technology for Ferrari. The 348 sports coupé was introduced right after that, a "Ferrari" built in line to FIAT traditions suitable for vehicles of limited power output and was the lowest point in the history of the cars from the Prancing Horse. Among its many defects, was a chassis that deformed to the point where the metal sunroof wouldn't even return to its housing."

 

The Forghieri moved to Lamborghini after 27 years and 5 months. Chrysler had bought Lamborghini.

 

I've read a lot of negative things about the 348 through the years. And every time, somebody comes up to defend it. Fortunately.

Any thoughts ?

 

Michael Savard

1981 308 GTSi