"My Father was, let's say....  a little bit crazy.  In the post-war recovery when Italy was producing the Vespa and Lambretta…  very economical scooters, my father was making 12 cylinder racing cars."    Piero Ferrari.

Locked away after his death, the archive of Italy’s racing car genius Enzo Ferrari has been reopened by his son – with unexpected consequences.  Stored away in meticulously categorised files are the blueprints for every old Ferrari.  Extensive, fragile records that allow the rebirth of Ferrari’s 20th century icons as collectible art forms for the modern contemporary age.

Now old Ferrari’s can return to their birthplace to be fully restored using genuine components individually crafted from these original blueprints.  This ultimate certified pre-owned car program is redefining Ferrari’s heritage and authenticity.  It’s a “new in old” restoration program unlike any in the world today and has sparked an equally unique result.  In May 2008 history was made when UK Radio DJ Chris Evans bid $10.9 million for a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spider, nearly 20 times the price of a new Ferrari.  While Evans joked “..we got a deal”, Ferrari’s Maranello plant was rapidly expanding over 10,000 feet of the original foundary.  The Ferrari Classiche Program was launched.  It was big news and gave high-end buyers confidence to write big checks.  It began a new era of art-form investment.  As Roberto Vaglietti, head of Classiche explains “ one year ago this car was worth maybe €2 million and today we know it’s almost €7 million”.

Enzo’s archive has become a gold mine.

The documentary exposes the eclectic people-machine–brand–art-money phenomenon emerging nearly a quarter of a century after the death of the revered artist who drove Ferrari into the lifelong dreams and hearts of many.   Watch the video trailer HERE.

The full documentary of this amazing story is available under license from National Geographic Television International.