The Evolution Of The Ferrari Lineup—Every Decade Compared

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

The very first Ferrari, the 125 S, emerged in 1947 with a 1.5-liter V12 engine producing 118HP. Designed by Gioachino Colombo, the car was a bold debut for a company that would soon become a motorsport legend. With a top speed of around 130 mph, the 125 S was lightweight, agile, and purpose-built for racing.

1948 166 Inter

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Shortly afterward, Ferrari introduced its first true grand tourer—the 166 Inter in 1948. The coupe was styled by Carrozzeria Touring with a V12 engine that roared to a 93MPH top speed, while producing 110HP. The 166 is widely considered one of Ferrari's rarest-ever cars, with just 12 being produced by the fledgling company between 1948 and 1950.

The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Ferrari began it's journey as a company in the racing world in the 1950s, with numerous cars built specifically for European racing competitions, including the Ferrari 250 MM from 1953. It was a direct product of Ferrari’s Mille Miglia victories. Powered by a 3.0L V12 engine that produced 240HP and a top speed of 155 MPH, its sleek aluminum body and bullet-shaped design were critical to Ferrari's racing success. It was the company's first true racer.

1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

By the end of the decade, Ferrari delivered the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. With 280HP and a top speed of 152 mph, this short-wheelbase grand tourer combined racing pedigree with road-going comfort. Styled by Pininfarina, it was a major step toward the iconic 250 GTO and remains one of Ferrari’s most beloved classics.

1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Later in the decade, the 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, also known as the Daytona, offered a powerful front-engine GT experience. With 352HP and a matching top speed of 174 MPH, it featured angular, aggressive styling that broke away from the soft curves of earlier Ferraris. The Daytona symbolized the end of an era before the company shifted focus to mid-engine layouts.

1975 308 GTB

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Midway through the decade, Ferrari unveiled the 308 GTB in 1975. With 240 horsepower and a top speed of 149 mph, it boasted a distinctive wedge-shaped design. Early examples featured lightweight fiberglass bodies, and its TV fame through Magnum P.I. helped cement its place in pop culture history.

The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

The 1980s were defined by outrageous styling and raw performance, and no car better exemplified this than the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO. Originally conceived as a homologation model for Group B racing, the 288 GTO used a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 400HP. With a top speed of 189 MPH, it laid the groundwork for future Ferrari supercars.

1987 Ferrari F40

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

In 1987, Ferrari upped the ante with the F40, the last car approved by Enzo Ferrari himself. With 471HP and a top speed exceeding 200MPH, the F40 embraced weight savings and mechanical purity. Constructed from carbon fiber and kevlar, it offered no frills—just raw speed and aerodynamic precision. It remains a benchmark for analog supercars.

The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Entering the 1990s, Ferrari refined its flagship with the 512 TR, a successor to the Testarossa. Introduced in 1991, it delivered 428HP and a top speed of 195 MPH. While still flamboyant, the TR improved upon the Testarossa’s ergonomics, performance, and build quality.

1995 Ferrari F50

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

By mid-decade, Ferrari released the F50, a spiritual successor to the F40 that brought Formula One technology directly to the road. Powered by a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V12 derived from an F1 engine, the F50 produced 513HP and topped out at 202 MPH. Its open-top design and carbon-fiber tub made it a raw yet advanced driving experience.

The 2000s: Modern Mastery

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

The turn of the millennium brought technological maturity to Ferrari’s lineup. The 360 Modena, produced from 1999 to 2005, featured an all-aluminum chassis and a 400HP V8 engine. It reached 183 MPH and delivered a user-friendly yet thrilling experience, setting the standard for Ferrari's modern mid-engine V8 lineage.

The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

The pinnacle of this era came in 2002 with the release of the Ferrari Enzo. Named after the company’s founder, it featured a 6.0-liter V12 producing 651HP and reached 218 MPH. With F1-derived paddle shifters, a carbon-fiber chassis, and advanced aerodynamics, the Enzo was a technological tour de force that redefined what a supercar could be.

The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Ferrari kicked off the 2010s with the 458 Italia, a mid-engine V8 masterpiece with 562HP and a top speed of 210 MPH. Featuring a dual-clutch transmission, refined aerodynamics, and one of the best-sounding engines ever made, the 458 was hailed as a high point of naturally aspirated engineering.

The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Ferrari’s most ambitious leap came in 2013 with the LaFerrari, a hybrid hypercar that merged sustainability with sheer performance. It's a 6.3L V12, paired with an electric motor via a KERS system, delivering 950HP. Capable of speeds over 217 MPH, it featured active aerodynamics, a carbon-fiber tub, and futuristic styling. The LaFerrari was limited to 499 coupes and 210 convertibles. The rarity made it popular, banishing naysayers or Ferrari purists to the back of the line.

The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Ferrari entered the electric age with confidence through the SF90 Stradale in 2020. As the company’s first plug-in hybrid, it combined a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors, resulting in 986HP. It could sprint from 0–60 MPH in just 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 MPH. The SF90 Stradale signified the direction that Ferrari wished to go in the 2020s: stylish, speedy hybrids.

An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

In 2022, Ferrari introduced a brand-new hybrid, the 296 GTB. A combination of engines: a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 and an electric motor produced 819HP. It accelerated to 60 MPH in 2.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 205 MPH. The 296 GTB was a huge step in the right direction for Ferrari and the planet, setting the tone for a future of hybrid hypercars.

How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

Ferrari has long been associated with crafting the most exquisite motors. From the early days of racing domination to the modern hybrid generation, Ferrari's focus on speed, power, and elegance, while remaining true to Enzo Ferrari's vision for the company, has kept them in the driver's seat of innovation in the automotive industry.

Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

The early years focused on conquering race tracks (with great success!), the mid-century cars were freedom-focused grand tourers, while the modern lineup blends extreme performance with digital intelligence. Yet the core DNA—passion, beauty, and the pursuit of speed—has remained unshaken for over 75 years.

Some Honorable Mentions

The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari, 1948 166 Inter, The 1950s: Ferrari Achieves Racing Dominance, 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1975 308 GTB, The 1980s: The Turbocharged Era, 1987 Ferrari F40, The 1990s: Refinement Meets F1 Technology, 1995 Ferrari F50, The 2000s: Modern Mastery, The Greatest Ever Ferrari: The Enzo, The 2010s: Innovation Without Compromise, The First Hybrid Hypercar: LaFerrari, The 2020s: The Electrified Frontier, An Electrifying Driving Experience: The 2022 296 GTB, How Ferrari's Design Has Changed Through The Years, Ferrari's Changing Legacy By The Decade, Some Honorable Mentions

For all of the amazing Ferraris we know of, there are a few that seem to fly under the radar. For example, the Dino 246 GT, though not badged as a Ferrari, embodied purity in design and handling during the 1970s. Fast-forward a few decades, and Ferrari introduced the Monza SP2 as an open-top racecar powered by a V12 engine that produced 810HP and could hit 60 MPH in just 2.9 seconds. The aluminum frame of the Dino was replaced by carbon fiber and 50 years of technological innovation was brought to bear on the Monza, making it a symbol of Ferrari's racing DNA.

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