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Ferrari completes two-year restoration of fire-damaged 225E

See this classic Ferrari? It looks pretty good, right? Well it didn't a couple of years ago, having been all but destroyed in a fire. But the Ferrari Classiche department completed a comprehensive two-year restoration process that's left it looking as good as (if not better than) new. The vehicle in question is a 1952 Ferrari 225E, one of the earliest sports cars the Prancing Horse made, just five years after its founding. It was delivered new to Count Antonio Sterzi, who campaigned it first in the Mille Miglia. The car went on to win events like the Bolzano-Mendola hillclimb and the Coppa InterEuropa at Monza, but after changing hands a couple of times, it was ravaged by a fire. View 7 Photos Several attempts were made in the decades since to bring it back to proper working condition. But it wasn't until its current Argentinian owner commissioned the factory's own restoration department to completely overhaul the burnt-out shell that it regained its luster. Over the course of two years, the Classiche studio has comprehensively reconditioned the 225E inside, out, and under the hood, sourcing original documentation from the factory archives to match the interior as close as possible to how it would have originally been outfitted, and giving it a beautiful two-tone blue and white paintjob. A FERRARI RISES FROM THE ASHES A fire-damaged 225E makes a triumphant return Maranello, 15 March 2016 – After almost two years of work, restoration of the 225E chassis no. 0178 is finally complete and the car is back in its owner's hands. The project was a huge challenge for the Ferrari Classiche department as the car, which belongs to an Argentinean collector, arrived in Maranello in a terrible state of repair, having been partly-destroyed in a fire. Racing past. The 225E left the factory in May 1952 and was first owned by Count Antonio Sterzi. It quickly made its competitive debut in none other than the Mille Miglia in the hands of that gentleman and his co-driver Nino Rovelli. In June the same year, the 225E won the Coppa della Toscana with Bruno Sterzi who also raced it to victory in the Bolzano-Mendola hillclimb and the Coppa InterEuropa at Monza for which both front and rear bumpers were removed. The car changed hands a couple of times but was then involved in a fire in which it sustained severe damage. The engine, however, was almost entirely salvageable and an attempt was made during the 1980s to restore the bodywork.

Ferrari FXX-K Evo sprouts wings and looks ready to fly

The winged devil you see above is the Ferrari FXX-K Evo. All those protuberances are there for a reason – from the reshaped front fascia with its carbon fiber splitters to the twin-profile rear wing and fixed fins – and that's to produce downforce. Some of the most important aero bits are hidden where you can't see. Vortex generators affixed to the belly of the beast and a massive rear diffuser help suck the FXX-K Evo to the track. A path of air travels from the hood, over the canopy, and ultimately to the rear wing, all in an effort to optimize flow and increase high-speed stability. At 124 miles per hour, says Ferrari, the bits and baubles push toward the earth with 1,411 pounds of downforce. In addition to the aero tweaks, Ferrari made adjustments to the FXX-K's suspension, fitted it with a redesigned steering wheel, and installed a larger interior display. Owners of previous FXX-K models can opt to have these upgrades added to their cars, and a limited number of new Evos will be produced. These 1,050-horsepower hybrid gasoline-electric machines aren't meant for the street. Instead, Ferrari arranges a nine-race schedule for owners who wish to stretch the FXX-K's legs out on the track. And if you're lucky enough to own one, we certainly hope you find enough time to take part in the high-speed festivities. Related Video:

2017 Ferrari Model Year Preview and Updates

Despite the stereotypes surrounding Ferrari and its owners, at least a few of these automotive thoroughbreds are still bought for driving. And in 2017 the driving has never been better. A V8-equipped GTC4Lusso T is a welcome addition, while the entry-level California T remains relatively accessible. FERRARI 488 GTB/GTS: Some forty years after introducing the now-iconic 308 GTB, Ferrari continues the 'Berlinetta' format with power supplied by a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8. The GTS (Spider) shares the same drivetrain and architecture, but offers a power retractable hardtop that folds in 14 seconds. Both are unchanged for the 2017 model year. CALIFORNIA T: Ferrari's most accessible GT now offers a Handling Speciale package, which makes the California's handling more 'special', with stiffer springs and magnetic dampers reprogrammed for a more athletic dynamic. This mod also ups the decibels by three. It, too, is powered by a 3.9-liter V8, albeit in a lower state of tune than the 488. F12 BERLINETTA: You may have missed the F12tdf, as fewer than 800 examples were produced. The Tour de France commemorative offered an upgraded V12 in combination with a faster acting twin-clutch gearbox. The V12 remains naturally aspirated, and delivers – in either standard or tdf versions – over 700 horsepower. GTC4LUSSO: The family-friendly Ferrari boasts generous 2+2 seating. For 2017 there's a massaged V12 and new touchscreen. With all-wheel drive this is the all-season, all-climate Ferrari. GTC4LUSSO T: Take the GTC4LUSSO, pull out the V12/AWD drivetrain and substitute the same V8 as the California T, in combination with rear-wheel drive. The combo is lighter, tighter, less expensive, and brand new for 2017.