The Ford GT40 demonstrated how a spurned corporate boss could produce a masterpiece
You can say Enzo Ferrari was directly responsible for bringing many classic sports cars to the road—and only some of them with Ferrari badges. The cantankerous old man famously spurred the creation of the Lamborghini brand by insulting Ferruccio Lamborghini after the latter had complained about issues with his Ferrari. But one of the biggest shake-ups ever attributed to Enzo was when, at the last minute, he canceled a deal to sell the Ferrari company to Henry Ford II, fearing the American would ruin Ferrari’s racing program. After having spent millions arranging the deal, Henry was naturally furious, and demanded that his company build a racing car to utterly demolish the feisty Italian.