by James Page

In the aftermath of the Second World War, dynamic Italian entrepreneur Gaetano Marzotto set about rebuilding his hugely successful business empire, a task in which he would be helped by the next generation of this influential family. Four of his sons, however, would also make a name for themselves in the world of motor racing – and, in the process, become important early customers of Enzo Ferrari.

Vittorio, Umberto, Giannino and Paolo Marzotto were young, stylish and well connected, and enjoyed a huge amount of success during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Giannino twice won the legendary Mille Miglia road race and was a great admirer of Ferrari’s V12 engines, but he was sure that the cars’ aerodynamics could be improved. That was what led him to create the unique Ferrari Uovo.

This new book from Porter Press International tells the full history of this remarkable car, from its creation and its time with Giannino Marzotto, to its American competition career, its restoration during the 1980s – and even how it came to be photographed with movie icon James Dean. Packed with superb photography, Uovo is the story of a unique and charismatic car that evokes an important period in Ferrari history and a long-lost era of road-racing. 

Key Points

• How Giannino Marzotto worked with Carrozzeria Fontana and young designer Franco Reggiani to create the Uovo using a 166 MM chassis, 212 Export engine, and a striking lightweight body.
• In-depth reports of its period competition outings, including how it led the 1951 Mille Miglia and won that year’s Coppa della Toscana.
• New research compiled over the course of two years gives a clear insight into the Uovo’s early life.
• The full story of the remarkable Marzotto family – complete with rarely seen images and a revealing interview with Giannino’s nephew, Matteo Marzotto.
• How the 166 MM’s success in international motor racing helped to establish the foundations upon which the Ferrari legend was built.
• More than 100 photographs covering the Uovo’s racing career, its restoration, its return to the Mille Miglia in the 1980s and ’90s, and beyond…

Specification

240mm x 280mm | Jacketed Hardback | 128 pages | Over 140 images |     Price: £35.00 | ISBN: 978-1-913089-62-7 | Publisher: Porter Press International | Publication date: April 2024 | Author: James Page