Geneva Show 2003 - Ferrari Owners' Club

The 73rd Geneva International Motor Show took place at the Palexpo from 6 to 16 March 2003. It was officially opened on Thursday 6th March by Mr. Pascal Couchepin, President of the Swiss Confederation.

Some 900 brands from more than 30 countries were presented by 265 exhibitors, over a surface area of 114,000 square meters. Being the only international motor show which is held annually in Europe and on “neutral territory”, the Geneva show is known as one of the most representative motor shows. CEOs of the major manufacturers regularly come to attend the presentations of their most important innovations. This year, more than 70 World and European premieres had been announced in the car sector alone. About 700,000 visitors from all over the world will have visited the show.

Now that the new Hall 6 has been opened the area has increased by 20 percent. Ferrari and Maserati now have much larger stands.

The Maranello firm displayed no fewer than seven Ferraris. A red 575 M Maranello with F1 gearchange and a darkblue metallic 360 Spider with the same feature were displayed next to a 456 M GTA. This 456 was also painted Blu Tour de France and was interesting to see because it was a RHD version. Since the 456 was originally introduced back in 1992 it can be assumed that production has now become much smaller and perhaps no LHD example was available for display. At the stand entrance was a red Enzo. This limited edition supercar was shown for the first time in Switzerland.

The other side of the large Ferrari stand was occupied by a F-2002 Formula One car formerly driven by Michael Schumacher. And then there were two of the Ferrari Challenge Stradales. One was painted Blu Tour de France whereas the other was painted Rosso Scuderia, a slightly brighter red than the regular Rosso Corsa or racing red. Ferrari’s president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo unveiled the new car in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The red example had an Italian tricolor band. This is the color used for the Formula 1 single-seater with paintwork inspired by the client racing cars of the past.

The new eight-cylinder model joins the existing 360 Modena and 360 Spider. The Challenge Stradale’s weight has been considerably reduced, with an all-aluminium chassis and body, carbon discs and the F1-style gearbox. Other modifications included significant work on the aerodynamics, set-up and braking. The 3’586 cc V8 engine boasts five valves per cylinder and titanium rods. It produces a massive 425 bhp which is 25 more than the 360 Modena and the 360 Spider. Its front spoiler is much more pronounced than on the regular 360 Modena. Every feature that in no way improves performance and safety has been reduced to the minimum or eliminated. It is even possible to order the car with sliding perspex windows, last used on the spectacular F40 in 1987. The end result is an extremely lightweight, fast sportscar, with a true racing-style set-up.

On the Ferrari stand a number of VIPs were observed. This included Bernie Ecclestone and Michael Schumacher’s manager Willy Weber. Ecclestone was invited by Luca di Montezemolo to take a seat in the Ferrari Enzo. Naturally Enzo Ferrari’s son Piero was also on hand in Geneva.

Famed Torinese coachbuilder Pininfarina displayed another Enzo but it was a non-functional mock-up that had already been shown in Japan some time ago. Tire supplier Bridgestone had an F-2001 Formula One car on their stand.

Not only in the 1950s did Ferraris attract smaller coachbuilders. Individualism is still the key-word. Reborn Concours d’Elégances provide the opportunities to exhibit new cars without any fear of being misunderstood. The magic Villa d’Este Concours has always included Carrozzeria Castagna-bodied cars. This coachbuilder of Milan displayed a mock-up of a Ferrari-based Barchetta. This is a first for Castagna and the new prototype will offically be introduced at the Villa d’Este Concours on 27 April 2003. The car is called Rossellini Barchetta, because movie director Roberto Rossellini ordered so many one-off Ferraris in the 1950s. Castagna’s Ferrari is based on a 575 M Maranello.

At Geneva the tuning branch had numerous stands as well. Autex of Germany showed a silvergreymetallic 360 Modena, while tuner MAE displayed another, similar Ferrari. Swiss leather restorer Urfer Sellerie presented a fabulous Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider. This car had recently been completely restored and repainted from black to red. It received a mouthwatering red and black leather interior with all red carpets. The car on this stand was on loan from a well-known Geneva-based collector.