The best story we know about company founder Enzo Ferrari (yes, for younger readers, there really was an Enzo Ferrari --- It's not just the name of one of the company's models) has to be, as far as we Americans are concerned, the great battle between "Il Commandatore," as Ferrari was known, and Henry "The Deuce," nickname of Henry Ford II, son of Edsel Ford, grandson of Ford company founder Henry. The Deuce is not to be confused with "Il Duce'," which was the "honorific" title, meaning "leader," given to Italy's Benito Mussolini, who was Adolph Hitler's lapdog both before and during WWII. (Photo - Ferrari 612 Scaglietti introduced at the NY Auto Show).
The short version of the Ford/Ferrari story has The Deuce wanting to buy Ferrari from its founder in the early 1960s. Many of the obstacles to the purchase had been worked through, and both sides felt there was a good chance the buy-out would happen; Ferrari would have the money his company needed to develop into a true world-class and worldwide car-maker, and Ford, which lacked a real sports car like GM's Corvette, would be able to buy the brainpower and technical ability needed to leave GM in the racing dust. Ford had attended Grand Prix and sports car races throughout Europe and saw the potential for Ford, using the Ferrari name, becoming a power in those series.
But there was one problem remaining, at least in Enzo Ferrari's mind. With the two seated at 
Enzo's desk in the Ferrari offices in Modena (Italy), Enzo mentioned to Ford that, even with the buyout about to happen, he, Ferrari, would naturally continue in his capacity as leading the motor racing business for Ferrari. Ford said that was not possible; if Ford bought Ferrari, it would be a Ford who would decide personnel staffing and the like. Ferrari said the sale was off, and the two had quite an argument, only ending, the legend goes, with Ferrari almost physically throwing Ford out of his office, with a loud shout, in English, of "Fuck you!"
The rest, as they say, is history. Ford was eventually to give a wily Texan named Carroll Shelby the then unheard-of budget of $40 million to build some race cars, which were dubbed GT40s, and which indeed beat Ferrari's pants off at the "24 Hours of the LeMans" for four straight years, 1966 through 1969. If anyone has ever wondered why Ford Motor has kept a relationship for so many years with Carroll Shelby, even through the many twists and turns of Shelby's personal life and career, one need only know the above story; it explains many things. (Photo - Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti from rear 3/4, above).
Not that Ferrari hasn't survived and enjoyed tremendous success both on and off the race tracks of the world. And while Ford hasn't done too badly, either, at this point in the history of the world's auto industry, Ferrari might be a better bet to stay in black ink than Henry The Deuce's outfit in Dearborn, MI.
But at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the word from Ferrari was "personalization", with a 612 Scaglietti introducing the company's new "One-to-One" Ferrari corporate program. And in the words of the Ferrari PR staff, with not a word changed by this website, we can all enjoy a taste of what the very wealthy can do if they have a mind to do so:
Ferrari intends to allow every client to fully personalise this flagship model, courtesy of a wide array of new content as well as the options available through the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Programme. In fact, a special dedicated "atelier" area has been set up at the factory, where clients can put together their own bespoke 612 Scaglietti accessory by accessory, detail by detail. In exactly the same way as they would at an haute couture fashion house, owners can choose details and materials they want for their car in consultation with the Ferrari experts who will actually build it to their exact specifications and tastes.
Clients will be assisted in making their selections by dedicated Programme consultants who can help them at every stage of defining their car's specification.
All of these unique new 612 Scagliettis will be built in a dedicated assembly area at the Maranello factory.
The 612 Scagliettis being used to launch the One-to-One Programme incorporate a series of technical evolutions that reflect the Ferrari philosophy of constantly introducing innovations in each model. Most notably, the V12 flagship now boasts an electrochromic panoramic roof which covers the entire top of the cabin. The electrochromic glass can be changed at the touch of a button to adjust the levels of sunlight allowed into the cabin. This solution was developed in close collaboration with Saint Gobain, a partner with whom Ferrari has most recently developed a similar highly innovative solution for the Superamerica.
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