The Prancing Horse's classic cars are a unique heritage which Ferrari safeguards through Ferrari Classiche, a division founded specifically to provide restoration and maintenance services, technical assistance and Certificates of Authenticity to owners of historic vehicles.

The new Ferrari Classiche offices and workshop, which take up 950 square metres of the historic section of the Maranello factory, were officially opened by Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo yesterday. Vice-President Piero Ferrari, General Manager Jean Todt, Vice General Manager Amedeo Felisa, Sales and Marketing Director Andrea Bozzoli and Head of Ferrari Classiche Roberto Vaglietti also attended the ceremony.

Throughout nearly 60 years of production and racing history which began with the two-seater 125 S racer in 1947, Ferrari has been one of the leading protagonists in the Formula 1 World Championship as well as in the Sports, Prototype and GT Championships, thanks to its own official drivers as well as private teams. The result is, of course, that the Prancing Horse brand is now instantly recognised as a symbol of success the world over. Importantly, Ferrari's 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12-cylinder racing cars have yielded a constant transfer of cutting-edge technologies to its production cars and, over that same period of time, Ferrari has produced nigh on 100 highly acclaimed road-going models appreciated by an exclusive and passionate clientele.
 

Since Ferrari's earliest days, its cars have enjoyed cult status and have been eagerly sought after by collectors the world over. This is why one of the main functions of the Ferrari Classiche division is to issue Certificates of Authenticity to road-going Ferraris of 20 years old and over as well as to all of Prancing Horse competition cars, including Formula 1 single-seaters, regardless of the year they were built. The certification document officially attests to the cars' authenticity and also provides important documentation for buyers should the certified vehicles ever be sold on. Another advantage is that all certified cars will be permitted to take part in official Ferrari events including, for instance, the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, which is divided into European and North American series.

During the certification process, the cars undergo a very careful inspection in the Ferrari Classiche division in Maranello or at specially authorised centres throughout the world. Using Ferrari's extensive historic archives, a special committee of experts known as COCER (Certification Committee) chaired by Piero Ferrari will evaluate the technical characteristics of each individual car put forward for certification. The technical examination of the car is the most important step in the process as it reveals whether the car is fully functioning, and whether its chassis, engine, gearbox, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels, bodywork and interiors are original or at least comply with the original specifications.

If any non-original mechanical parts are found, the car may still be restored to its original authentic condition as Ferrari can, on request, supply spares conforming to the original specifications and manufactured using the original designs and specialist machinery either directly at Ferrari or by its official suppliers. From this year on, in fact, Ferrari will be commencing making castings of engine blocks and cylinder heads. The manufacture and supply of original components is clearly an essential part of the restoration and maintenance service provided by Ferrari Classiche to help owners fully restore historic Prancing Horse models to their original splendour.