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The evolution of Ferrari — 70 years of speed and style

Updated 0927 GMT (1727 HKT) August 7, 2017

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The first ever Ferrari was fired up and left the Maranello factory gates 70 years ago. What followed would reshape motorsport history.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari 125-S, 1947 – The first ever Ferrari was fired up and left the Maranello factory gates 70 years ago. What followed would reshape motorsport history.
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That car, the 125-S, boasted a 1.5-liter V12 capable of producing around 118bhp -- a far cry from the speed machines of today.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari 125-S side view, 1947 – That car, the 125-S, boasted a 1.5-liter V12 capable of producing around 118bhp -- a far cry from the speed machines of today.
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Born in 1898 on the outskirts of Modena -- known for "fast cars and slow food" -- the company's founder Enzo Ferrari devoted his entire life to the pursuit of speed. The Italian is pictured here as a young man sitting in an Alfa Romeo 40-60 HP Racing Type.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Enzo Ferrari, 1920 – Born in 1898 on the outskirts of Modena -- known for "fast cars and slow food" -- the company's founder Enzo Ferrari devoted his entire life to the pursuit of speed. The Italian is pictured here as a young man sitting in an Alfa Romeo 40-60 HP Racing Type.
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Much has changed at the Maranello factory since this day in 1947, but the iconic factory gates remain much the same.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari factory, 1947 – Much has changed at the Maranello factory since this day in 1947, but the iconic factory gates remain much the same.
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The 125 F1, driven here by Peter Whitehead, was Ferrari's first Formula One car. The Italian marque has since accumulated over 5,000 races victories across various classes.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari 125 F1, 1949 – The 125 F1, driven here by Peter Whitehead, was Ferrari's first Formula One car. The Italian marque has since accumulated over 5,000 races victories across various classes.
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By the '60s, Ferrari was a dominant force on the road and the track. In 1969, Enzo signed an agreement with Fiat Group giving it a 50% stake in the company.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Enzo Ferrari, 1961 – By the '60s, Ferrari was a dominant force on the road and the track. In 1969, Enzo signed an agreement with Fiat Group giving it a 50% stake in the company.
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Thanks to a host of celebrity owners, the Ferrari brand was also rapidly building a reputation for elegance and style. Here, Steve McQueen stands proudly beside his Ferrari 275 GTB 4 by Scaglietti.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari 275 GTB-4 – Thanks to a host of celebrity owners, the Ferrari brand was also rapidly building a reputation for elegance and style. Here, Steve McQueen stands proudly beside his Ferrari 275 GTB 4 by Scaglietti.
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Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, pictured picking up his Ferrari GTO at the factory, was another that added to the magnetism of the brand.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari GTO, 1984 – Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, pictured picking up his Ferrari GTO at the factory, was another that added to the magnetism of the brand.
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By the 1970s, Ferrari's F1 cars were capable of over 500bhp. South African driver Jody Scheckter, pictured, won the 1979 World Championship.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari 312T, 1979 – By the 1970s, Ferrari's F1 cars were capable of over 500bhp. South African driver Jody Scheckter, pictured, won the 1979 World Championship.
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Ferrari tested new designs using 1/3 scale models -- on show at the exhibition.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Wind Gallery for Aerodynamic Tests – Ferrari tested new designs using 1/3 scale models -- on show at the exhibition.
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As the turn of the millennium approached, what had started with Enzo Ferrari facilitating gentlemen racing their cars had evolved into a global phenomenon. Here, racing enthusiasts gather at South Africa's Kyalami Circuit to celebrate Ferrari 50th Anniversary.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Kyalami Circuit, 1997 – As the turn of the millennium approached, what had started with Enzo Ferrari facilitating gentlemen racing their cars had evolved into a global phenomenon. Here, racing enthusiasts gather at South Africa's Kyalami Circuit to celebrate Ferrari 50th Anniversary.
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The 1962 Ferrari 250-GTO is most expensive car ever sold at auction, having fetched over $38,000,000. Here a selection of the highly coveted vehicles gather on the model's 20th Anniversary at the Pierre Bardinon estate in France.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari 250 GTO, – The 1962 Ferrari 250-GTO is most expensive car ever sold at auction, having fetched over $38,000,000. Here a selection of the highly coveted vehicles gather on the model's 20th Anniversary at the Pierre Bardinon estate in France.
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An expansive Ferrari-branded amusement park, home to the world's fastest roller coaster, opened its doors in 2010.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, 2010 – An expansive Ferrari-branded amusement park, home to the world's fastest roller coaster, opened its doors in 2010.
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"Ferrari's story has been one of the great adventures of the industrial age," says, Andrew Nahum, curator of the exhibition.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari J50, 2016 – "Ferrari's story has been one of the great adventures of the industrial age," says, Andrew Nahum, curator of the exhibition.
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"Ferrari uses the subtle and often unseen techniques of automobile design but with the utmost care and precision," adds Nahum. "The exhibition provides an insight into the history and practice of the whole private world of automotive design."
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari J50, 2016 – "Ferrari uses the subtle and often unseen techniques of automobile design but with the utmost care and precision," adds Nahum. "The exhibition provides an insight into the history and practice of the whole private world of automotive design."
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The <em>Ferrari Under the Skin </em>exhibition opens on 15 November 2017 and will run until April 2018.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
Ferrari pit stop, 2017 Chinese GP – The Ferrari Under the Skin exhibition opens on 15 November 2017 and will run until April 2018.
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It will feature insight into the life of Enzo Ferrari, unique cars and rarely seen documents -- all illustrating just how far the manufacturer has come.
Photos: Ferrari Under the Skin
It will feature insight into the life of Enzo Ferrari, unique cars and rarely seen documents -- all illustrating just how far the manufacturer has come.
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Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London enzo ferrari 125 sSide view with the mechanics in the transparency of the first Ferrari car, 125 SFerrari Under the Skin/Design museum London enzo at the wheel of targo florio 1920Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London enzo in factory Peter Whitehead in action with the Ferrari 125 F1 The pilot will win the GP of Czechoslovakia in Brno 1949 Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum LondonFerrari Under the Skin/Design museum London Italian GP, Monza 1961ferrari 275 gtb 4 scaglietti steve mcqueenFerrari Under the Skin/Design museum Mick Jagger, leader of the Rolling Stones, on the delivery of his GTOJody Scheckter ferrari under the skin Wind Gallery for Aerodynamic Tests with 1-3 scale models Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museumFerrari Under the Skin/Design museum Rally of the South African Ferrari Clubs on the Kyalami Circuit for the 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1997Meeting on the 20th Anniversary of the 250 GTO Ferrari. Pierre Bardinon estate Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum LondonFerrari World Abu Dhabi, 2010 Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museumClay Model of the Ferrari J50 2016Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London Close up of clay design model being made of Ferrari J50ferrari engineers Grand Prix of China 2017Present Day Manufacturing of the Ferrari California car Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museumFerrari Under the Skin/Design museum LaFerrari in production
Seventy years have passed since the first car to bear the iconic Ferrari logo left the factory gates in Italy. A major new exhibition at London's Design Museum, Ferrari Under the Skin, celebrates "one of the great adventures of the industrial age," featuring unique cars and rarely seen documents pertaining to Enzo Ferrari's life.