| Intrigued with the notion of a miniature bolide bearing his | | | | a Ferrari ASA 1000GT, sponsored by a trio of well |
| name, Enzi Ferrari proudly unveiled a diminutive engine | | | | known racing drives - ingegnere Bizzarini and a |
| late in 1959. The 854, which stood for shorthand the | | | | corporate sponsor. |
| four cylinder 850cc engine. You know this type and line | | | | Yet again after several more false starts, production |
| of car well. A replica of the Ferrari 250 line was used | | | | models finally bowed in 1964. Luckily for American |
| in the 1986 film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" In the movie, | | | | motor vehicle enthusiasts and consumes most of |
| the replica Ferrari 250 was the characters Cameron | | | | these special little sports cars were destined for the |
| Frye's dad's car. Interestingly enough the automotive | | | | U.S. sports automotive markets. The American Ferrari |
| company that produced the replica 250 sports car , | | | | distributor of the time, Luigi Chinetti offered the little |
| was later sued by Ferrari for the unlawful use of the | | | | berlinetta at a price of $ 6200. Perhaps at this price |
| Ferraro logos . Later forcing the replica company to | | | | point the sports car was unrealistically priced since a |
| shut down to avoid further legal action and potential | | | | contemporary Chevrolet 427 Corvette sold in the |
| financial judgments against itself So much for copying | | | | region of $ 4500. |
| the rich and famous. | | | | Despite an ambitious, Targa Flora racing effort and an |
| The most famous Ferrari 250 of them all was the 250 | | | | overbored alloy Competizione version, called the |
| GTO. Often called the "First Supercar" this led to the | | | | Berlinetta 411, sales faltered. Prices were drastically |
| radically restyled GTO/64 in 1864 of which only 39 | | | | reduced to clear the remaining "orphans". Perhaps fifty |
| cars were ever built. . | | | | to seventy-five ASA 1000GTs, including a few |
| The diminutive 853 went resembled a section of the | | | | fiberglass-bodied convertibles was built in total. Of this |
| 250GT's SOHC V-12 engine right down to the | | | | amount thirty two found American homes and |
| characteristic black crinkle paint on its tiny valve cover. | | | | registration. The whole venture folded ingnomiously by |
| After several false starts, a prototipo appeared at the | | | | the year of 1967. |
| prestigious 1961 Turin Automobile show. Called the Mille | | | | Driven around today in 2008, the midget has a |
| (for 1000), the petite fastback's lines were drawn by | | | | distinctive raspy "bark". Due to the tubular , independent |
| the then rising Bertone star Giorgetto Giugiaro. No | | | | front suspension and full four wheel disc brakes |
| Ferrari badges were evident, but cognoscenti knew | | | | handling of these now classic Ferrari sports cars has |
| Maranello was responsible for the twin Weber, 96 | | | | been always been much more than would be |
| barrel horse power (bhp) one liter engine. The tubular | | | | considered decent and acceptable for a car of its time |
| chassis (a miniature Ferrari knockoff) was designed by | | | | and sports motor car vintage and pedigree. |
| Giotto Bizzarini himself. | | | | In the end the demise this little jewel of a sports car, |
| Ferrari himself had no plans to finance the venture. | | | | the Ferrari "Ferrariana", was at the wrong place at the |
| Driving a proptype around enthusiastically, the "old man" | | | | wrong time. Detroit's 60's "Muscle Cars" were just too |
| sought other partners for that purpose. His well known | | | | powerful with their massive V-8 engines as well as |
| legendary showmanship worked. Exactly one year | | | | being less expensive for car buyers to purchase or |
| later, the little car reappeared at Turin, now badged as | | | | finance. |