The classic look of the Ferrari is its blazing race red color (Rosso Corsa) alongside the prominent black steed on canary yellow background topped by the Italian flag. Colors have been the essence of luxury when it comes to luxury cars. But what is the Ferrari, and how did its popularity come to be?

The Ferrari in fact began Italian Enzo Ferrari’s establishment of the Scuderia Ferrari in 1929. He didn’t exactly build the company for the purpose of selling luxury sports cars built for the road, but to simply provide sponsorship for the Modena-based amateur car racers and enthusiasts. Its founder, for a time, successfully raced drivers in Alfa Romeos until he learned of Alfa Romeo’s intent to purchase Scuderia.

This forced Enzo to inevitably carry on with Scuderia Ferrari on his own. What made this great man begin the huge Ferrari sports car empire? It was a result of the need to finance the Scuderia that he actually reluctantly sold the very first Ferrari, dubbed the 125 S, in the year 1947.

However, the force that was Ferrari did not come to be as a result of just an image of luxury and prestige, since Enzo did not desire to even begin sales of his racecars. What gave the Ferrari its niche market was its beautiful design and breakneck driving speeds.

Knowing this particularly interesting history; speed up to the present and we have the sports car giant Ferrari still holding true to its reputation of beauty and speed.

The fastest Ferrari sports car to date is the 2002 Ferrari ENZO, designed by the Pininfarina design house. The new-found speed of the Ferrari ENZO comes from the fact that every bit of the design aspect of this model serves a particular speed or aerodynamic function.

The Ferrari ENZO is a testament to its Formula 1 participation, creating a statement both on the race track and on the exotic and fast sports car lists. For one, its sleek and pointed front were designed to facilitate the airflow, helping cool the brakes and the engine during the heat of a race. The entire body’s shape is to create effective aerodynamics and reduce drag.

Beginning with the Ferrari ENZO is the option for buyers to personalize the Ferrari’s cockpit in order to best suit their taste and needs.

Enzo Ferrari built an empire on the statement of beauty and speed. With its continued patronage for these two values through the years, expect Ferrari to continue being a force to be reckoned with.