Find out why the first Ferrari couldn't be red When we think about Ferrari, we often imagine the prancing horse emblem on a sleek, bright red sports car. The color red has become synonymous with the brand and is a symbol of its fiery and passionate nature. However, it may come as a surprise to many that the first Ferrari manufactured did not bear the iconic red hue. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the brand, was initially involved with the Scuderia Ferrari racing team, which was established in 1929. The team competed using Alfa Romeo cars, and the vehicles were painted in the traditional red color assigned to Italian racing cars at the time. This color was known as "Rosso Corsa," which translates to "racing red." When Ferrari eventually decided to produce his own cars under the brand name "Ferrari," he wanted them to be distinct. The first Ferrari, the 125 S, rolled out in 1947, and its color was far from the signature red we associate with the brand today. Instead, it wore a coat of striking yellow paint known as "Giallo Modena" or Modena Yellow. But, why would Ferrari choose a different color for his prized creation? There are a few theories as to why Enzo Ferrari deviated from the red color scheme for his first production car. One reason is that yellow was the official color of the city of Modena, which held great significance to Ferrari as it was his hometown. By painting the car in Modena Yellow, he paid homage to the roots of his brand and showcased his pride in his place of origin. Another theory is that the yellow color helped the car stand out and gain attention in the post-war years when Italy was facing economic challenges. The vibrant hue caught people's eyes and created a buzz around Ferrari's new venture. In a time of limited resources, Ferrari's unconventional choice of color helped his car to be noticed and generated interest in the brand. Furthermore, the decision to use yellow allowed Ferrari to distance himself from Alfa Romeo. As mentioned earlier, the Scuderia Ferrari racing team had been closely associated with Alfa Romeo, and by painting his own cars in a different color, Ferrari signaled a new era for his brand. It was a way of establishing his independence and separate identity from his previous collaboration. Despite not being red, the 125 S with its Modena Yellow paint proved to be a successful launch for Ferrari. The car's performance and engine capabilities were highly regarded, and it helped establish the brand's reputation as a manufacturer of powerful and technologically advanced sports cars. Over time, the red color became synonymous with Ferrari, and it gradually took over as the brand's primary color choice. In conclusion, the first Ferrari, the 125 S, strayed from the red color that we have come to associate with the brand. Enzo Ferrari's decision to paint it yellow had multiple reasoning behind it. It paid tribute to his hometown of Modena, helped the car stand out during difficult times, and established Ferrari as an independent brand separated from Alfa Romeo. While the iconic red color eventually took over, the Modena Yellow 125 S will forever be remembered as the pioneering Ferrari that dared to be different.