On Romance: Why I’m in Love with a Car
There aren’t a whole lot of sappy romcoms or stories written with a flare for the sentimental that can get the better of me. In all truth, there aren’t any at all. I’m a fairly cold hearted person, and that’s what makes my love affair with the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti surprising (how can such a man love?!?!) and apropos (figures he’d be in love with a machine).
Indeed, my love for one of Pininfarina’s most recent triumphs extends beyond its beautifully classic exterior; though, its clean curves and scalloped doors are something to behold. My love extends deeper than the all aluminum, hand-crafted chassis. Even when marveling at the amazing 6 speed, V12 engine it is clear that my love for the Scaglietti is not merely the the resulting sum of its astonishing parts…
No, my love is deeper. It reaches back into the automobile’s heritage. Well before the time that the Scaglietti was a twinkle in its engineers’ eyes. Well beyond the time, in fact, that those engineers were a twinkle in their parents’ eyes.
My love reaches back to 1954 when a real life love story played itself out when Roberto Rossellini commissioned Ferrari to build his wife, Ingrid Bergman, a car as beautiful as she was. The artisan coachbuilders in Modena birthed the 375 MM (what would later be the inspiration for much of the Scaglietti’s design) and “Grigio Ingrid,” a special hue of grey meant to compliment Ms. Bergman’s eyes. The color is still listed today as one of Ferrari’s signature finish options.
She hated the car… But that hardly matters. In this sweet fairy tale, the princess is almost unnecessary. Roberto’s admiration birthed art with a ferocious ignition note, and today the Scaglietti stands as a glittering example of love’s beauty and power… And it makes me sigh every time I see one.