Celebrate Enzo Ferrari Day with our favorite Ferraris of all time

It’s Enzo Ferrari Day, which sparked a conversation amongst our crew about our favorite models from the storied Italian brand. None of us currently owns a Ferrari, and we daydream a bit about what ultimate grand touring car, sports car, or race car we’d most like to see waiting for us in our garage every morning. These are our picks—tell us yours in the Hagerty Forums below.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO SI coupe

Jeff Peek, Senior Writer

My favorite Ferrari? Considering the chances that I’ll ever own one of Enzo’s creations are as thin as discount toilet paper, my favorite Ferrari would really be any Ferrari. Nevertheless, I’ve become particularly enthralled with the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO SI coupe since I first saw one in the flesh a few years ago. Yes, I know, with an average #2 (Excellent) condition value of $66.5 million, it’s the most expensive Ferrari ever built and a lot of people put it at the top of their imaginary wish list. Considering the GTO’s beauty, performance, and motorsport history, however, it’s the Ferrari that I covet most, and nothing else comes close.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB “Breadvan”

Eric Weiner, Managing Editor

The best Ferrari is literally one of a kind—a one-off built in 1962 from a ’61 250 GT SWB. The 250 GT SWB “Breadvan” was built to compete with the then-new Ferrari 250 GTO at Le Mans. Its shooting brake appearance came courtesy of an aerodynamic Kamm-style rear end. It has six Weber carbs and makes 286 horsepower from its V-12 motor. Really, just look at this thing. It’s the kind of cartoon nonsense a kid draws on the back of a binder while bored in third-period Spanish class. I love it.

Pontiac Mera (hear me out)

Brandan Gillogly, Online Editor

As much as I love shooting brakes, I’m tempted to say my favorite Ferrari is the GTC4Lusso. Everyone should have a V-12 grocery getter! The reality is that I’ll never even sit on one, much less drive one, so I’ll have to say my true favorite Ferrari is the Pontiac Mera, which isn’t a true Ferrari at all.

The aftermarket conversion to turn a brand-new Fiero into an Italian sports coupe was done by Corporate Concepts and the resulting car looked very much like a Ferrari 308. Ferrari was so threatened by the Fiero kit car that it took Corporate Concepts to court, probably claiming that only one outfit had exclusive trademark to mid-engine cars that burst into flames.

Some say that it was the Acura NSX that shook up the supercar market, but did Ferrari take Honda to court? I rest my case.

Ferrari 288 GTO

Kyle Smith, Associate Editor

I wasn’t alive in the ’80s, but something about the cars of that decace fascinate me. Performance was returning to production cars, and turbochargers were finding their way under hoods. The 288 GTO hits all the right notes and would play first chair in my imaginary car symphony. With 400 twin-turbocharged horsepower pushing a svelte 2600 pounds, the 288 GTO was the first in Ferrari’s line of supercars. While it looks a bit like a juiced 308 and is not as widely beloved as the F40, it is peak Ferrari performance in my eyes.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB

Brett Lirones, Media Production Assistant

If forced to pick a favorite from Ferrari’s never-ending archive of amazing cars, you might as well go for one of the prettiest examples made—the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB. While it doesn’t have quite the racing pedigree as the later 250 GTOs, or the insane power of Ferrari’s modern supercar offerings, this car succeeds in checking all the right analog boxes for a vintage gearhead. With its gorgeous fastback styling, screaming carbureted V-12, and manual transmission, could you blame me for choosing this classic prancing horse? 

Ferrari Testarossa

Nick Gravlin, Digital Assistant Team Lead

The Testarossa’s striking body design still stands out and is one of my personal favorites. With subtle curves, it’s far from the sharp angles and wedge noses popular at the time. I love the straked door panels leading to the side vents. They give the car a complex and unique look that Ferrari would continue to use on new models into the mid-’90s. Throw in a flat-12 engine, all of the ’80s swag in the world, and ask yourself: what’s not to like? Testarossa may mean redhead in Italian, but I’ll take mine in white.