Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Ford did not buy Ferrari. The two companies negotiated in 1963 over a possible collaboration, but a joint statement on May 22 said the talks had been suspended by mutual agreement. Ferrari’s later account says Enzo Ferrari withdrew just before signing to protect the racing division’s autonomy; a contemporary report by TIME had described a proposed purchase of half the company, but that was not a completed or signed deal.
What Ford and Ferrari were negotiating
In 1963, Ford and Ferrari discussed a possible collaboration that could have joined an American mass-market automaker with an Italian marque built around racing and sports cars. The public reports described a proposed purchase, but the negotiations never became a completed acquisition.
On May 24, 1963, TIME reported that Ford planned to buy half of Ferrari and that the companies expected to formalize their discussions. That was contemporary reporting about a proposed transaction, not evidence that a final contract had been signed or that Ford secured an ownership stake.
Why the negotiations ended
The clearest public record at the time is a joint statement dated May 22, 1963, reproduced in Ford Motor Company’s history of the episode: “Ford Motor Company and Ferrari wish to indicate, with reference to recent reports of their negotiations toward a possible collaboration that such negotiations have been suspended by mutual agreement.” The wording confirms that talks were suspended; it does not detail the private reasons or settle every account of what happened in negotiations. Ford Motor Company’s history of the 1963 negotiations.
#1 Best Overall
- Enjoy a rewarding building experience shaping every detail of the 2022 Ford GT with this 1:12 scale LEGO Technic car model kit for adults
- The model car includes authentic features, such as a V6 engine with moving pistons, independent suspension on all wheels and front-axle steering
- Take your time assembling details like the rear-wheel drive with differential, opening doors, adjustable spoiler wing and opening hood
- With it's classic dark blue finish with white racing stripes, this LEGO Technic model car kit for adults makes a stunning display piece
- Part of an innovative collection of LEGO model car kits for adults to build, this set includes the LEGO Builder app with digital instructions
Ferrari’s retrospective offers a more specific explanation: it says Enzo Ferrari backed out just before signing in order to preserve autonomy for the racing division. That is Ferrari’s account of the breakdown, rather than a detail spelled out in the joint statement. Ferrari’s history of its new partner.
What Ford did after the deal fell through
Ford’s racing ambitions continued after the negotiations ended. Ford’s official history says the company formed its High Performance and Special Models Operation Unit about a month after the talks ended. An internal GT Program book circulated on June 12, 1963, marking a concrete step in Ford’s own performance-car effort. The sequence is evidence of what Ford pursued next, not proof that the program was created as a single act of revenge against Ferrari.
Rank #2
What happened to Ferrari’s partnership plans
Ferrari later entered a different relationship with Fiat. Ferrari’s official history records an engine agreement in 1965, followed by the announcement on June 21, 1969, that Fiat had bought 50% of Ferrari. These milestones show a partnership path that did materialize, unlike the proposed Ford arrangement; they do not mean Fiat’s deal had the same terms or purpose as the negotiations with Ford.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if Ford had bought Ferrari?
A Ford–Ferrari deal could have changed who controlled Ferrari’s road-car business and how much independence its racing operation retained. The available accounts do not establish what the two companies would ultimately have agreed on those questions. Ferrari’s retrospective identifies racing autonomy as Enzo Ferrari’s concern, while Ford’s later decision to build its own racing program shows that Ford pursued a separate route after talks stopped. Any more specific alternate-history outcome—such as a guaranteed change to particular models, teams, or results—would be speculation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Details include: depictions of buttresses, door-side air tunnels and underside design.
- Multi-piece depictions of head and taillights for superb realism.
- The interior features depictions of seats with separate parts used to capture door panels, rear view mirror and steering wheel.
- Comes with metal-plated wheel and oil tank parts for a realistic finish.
- Decals included to create various markings, including optional racing stripes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
