The database has grown by 1,618 new vehicles, and we're approaching serial number 339,000. On the way there, the production of the 300,000th Ferrari must have taken place in April. We old-school Ferrari enthusiasts are simply amazed at what the marketing department doesn't consider important. Number 127,690 was celebrated as the 100,000th back in di Montezemolo's day, which, according to our research, was perhaps a bit premature. The 300,000th is likely around 337,500, but only the assembly number could provide definitive answers – we'll have to wait and see. But, as mentioned, what Ferraristi would celebrate – the 200,000th or special serial numbers – doesn't happen at the Factory – no special event for them.
Interestingly, this month, shortly before the end of the month, an entire series of 50 numbers apparently remained unassigned. This has happened occasionally in the past, and some of these "blanks" could be traced, for example, with prototipi or esperienze cars, or, as with the overproduction of the Enzo, when they simply took the "unused" ones from the past and gave the 2004 models numbers from ten years prior – in the long run, (almost) everything becomes clear. Only the sheer number of them is surprising right now.
Interestingly, there seem to be changes ahead for the 12-cylinder models; the model number remains the same, which suggests that engine development is underway. Perhaps a 12-cylinder turbo?
The first 296 Challenge Evo examples are appearing; let's see when they make it to the racetrack.
The Luce, for those who have already seen it, completely lacked emotion upon entering, which is certainly a warning sign. In any case, regardless of what the technical development is driving it towards, it will probably be presented in Rome in the last week of May – what would Enzo say? Electric with four doors... And the rumour is that the Factory was unable to protect the name in the important Japanese market because Mazda had already taken this step in the past for its production of the upper mid-range car.
Sales of the 296 GTB and 296 GTS appear to have truly ceased; no new examples have surfaced since around 3,000 serial numbers. The same is said of the 12-cylinder model, although, as described above, its evolution might already be on the horizon.
Rumour has it that the Purosangue is slated for a facelift.
In Essen, the eagerly anticipated transition from SIHA's Techno Classica to Retro Classic took place. Ultimately, the number of cars on display didn't differ significantly from previous years, and according to dealers, sales figures were also satisfactory. Nevertheless, the visitor numbers and the occupancy of the exhibition halls suggest potential for improvement, but perfection shouldn't be expected immediately.
In Essen, the highly anticipated transition from SIHA's Techno Classica to Retro Classic took place. Now we are looking forward to summer; the first wave of auctions has already passed, and there is more to come soon, and the numerous "outdoor events" will also entice us.