Enzo Ferrari
Rejected by Fiat in 1919; built his first car bearing his own name at 49.
Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898 in Modena, Italy. Enzo Ferrari's background is described as Italian, from Emilia-Romagna. Growing up, the family was middle class — his father ran a small metal workshop; both father and brother died in 1916, collapsing the family finances. Rejected by Fiat in 1919; built his first car bearing his own name at 49.
- Born
- 1898 · Modena, Italy
- Roots
- Italian, from Emilia-Romagna
- Family
- Middle class
- His father ran a small metal workshop; both father and brother died in 1916, collapsing the family finances.
- Education
- Cut short by war and the family's collapse
- Started with
- A Fiat rejection
- Turned down for a job in 1919; by his account, he wept on a park bench in Turin.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1919 · age 21Rejected by Fiat
Veterans flood the job market; he finds test-driving work instead.
- 1920 · age 22Alfa Romeo
Race driver, then team manager.
- 1929 · age 31Scuderia Ferrari
Founds a racing stable running Alfas for wealthy amateurs.
- 1939 · age 41Leaves Alfa
With a non-compete barring the Ferrari name from racing for four years.
- 1947 · age 49First Ferrari
The 125 S; road cars exist to pay for the racing.
- 1963 · age 65The Ford deal collapses
He walks out over control of the race team; Ford answers with the GT40 program.
- 1969 · age 71Sells 50% to Fiat
Keeps command of racing until his death in 1988.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Enzo Ferrari from?
Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898 in Modena, Italy. Their background is described as Italian, from Emilia-Romagna.
When was Enzo Ferrari born?
Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898, in Modena, Italy.
What is Enzo Ferrari's background or ethnicity?
Enzo Ferrari's roots are described as Italian, from Emilia-Romagna. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Enzo Ferrari go to school?
Enzo Ferrari's education: Cut short by war and the family's collapse.
What was Enzo Ferrari's family background growing up?
At birth the family was middle class. His father ran a small metal workshop; both father and brother died in 1916, collapsing the family finances.
How did Enzo Ferrari get started?
Enzo Ferrari started with a Fiat rejection. Turned down for a job in 1919; by his account, he wept on a park bench in Turin.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.