The first ever Ferrari was fired up and left the Maranello factory gates 70 years ago. What followed would reshape motorsport history.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
Much has changed at the Maranello factory since this day in 1947, but the iconic factory gates remain much the same.
Ferrari factory, 1947 —
Much has changed at the Maranello factory since this day in 1947, but the iconic factory gates remain much the same.
Malcolm Griffiths/Ronald Stern archives
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
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.
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.
Sutton Motorsport Images/Phipps/Sutton
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, pictured picking up his Ferrari GTO at the factory, was another that added to the magnetism of the brand.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum
By the 1970s, Ferrari's F1 cars were capable of over 500bhp. South African driver Jody Scheckter, pictured, won the 1979 World Championship.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
Ferrari tested new designs using 1/3 scale models -- on show at the exhibition.
Wind Gallery for Aerodynamic Tests —
Ferrari tested new designs using 1/3 scale models -- on show at the exhibition.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
An expansive Ferrari-branded amusement park, home to the world's fastest roller coaster, opened its doors in 2010.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, 2010 —
An expansive Ferrari-branded amusement park, home to the world's fastest roller coaster, opened its doors in 2010.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum
"Ferrari's story has been one of the great adventures of the industrial age," says, Andrew Nahum, curator of the exhibition.
Ferrari J50, 2016 —
"Ferrari's story has been one of the great adventures of the industrial age," says, Andrew Nahum, curator of the exhibition.
Billy Galliano/Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
"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."
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."
Billy Galliano/Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
The <em>Ferrari Under the Skin </em>exhibition opens on 15 November 2017 and will run until April 2018.
Ferrari pit stop, 2017 Chinese GP —
The Ferrari Under the Skin exhibition opens on 15 November 2017 and will run until April 2018.
Calloalbanese/Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum London
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.
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.
Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum
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What's your favorite Ferrari of all time? Have your say on CNN Sport's Facebook page
Mark Bramley/Ferrari Under the Skin/Design museum