Rare book review: Piloti, che gente… by Enzo Ferrari (Cartier edition)

A reader was asking about “Piloti, che gente” which I tagged (since the early days of F1-nut.com) as the one of the best (if not the best) Ferrari F1 books published and only realised (several years later…) that I hadn’t gotten around to posting an actual book review. So here it is. First published in Italian, this book is Enzo Ferrari’s own reflection of the Scuderia’s history and his character assessment of each of his Ferrari pilots up to the mid 1980’s and other F1 drivers on the grid circa-1984. For F1 history fans and tifosi, this book is a treasure trove of historic articles and photos supplemented by the journalistic comments of the great founder himself. Think of a book mash-up of historic archival B&W photos, vibrant Monaco and Grand Prix poster art, newspaper cuttings, autographed driver photo cards, famous Michael Turner artwork and no-nonsense commentary from il Commendatore himself – then amp it up to close to 500 pages and you get “Piloti, che gente” (English translation: Drivers as people)!

There are no named chapters but the book is structured chronologically from the early days of Enzo’s childhood in 1908 to the 1980’s. Enzo himself categorises racecars into 5 generations: 1919-1930, 1930-1939, post war period, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. There are photos of Enzo himself in as a racer including his 1919 debut and as an Alfa Romeo driver (alongside Antonio Ascari and Guiseppe Campari) through to 1924.

If you’re a Nuvolari fan (which Enzo obviously was) then you’ll enjoy pouring over pages 70-139. Enzo recounting his views on and rivalry with Mercedes Silver Arrows team manager Alfred Neubaurer also make an entertaining read. These pages also share Enzo’s views on the various Silver Arrows superstar drivers Bernd Rosemeyer and Rudolf Caracciola.

The mid section of the book covers Ascari, Castellotti, Musso, Mike Hawthorn, Fangio, Peter Collins, Gonzalez, Marzotto brothers, Tony Brooks, von Tripps, Phil Hill, Dan Guerney, Ritchie Ginther, Mairesse, Rodriguez brothers, Baghetti, Scarfiotti, Bandini, John Surtees. Also included are sportscar category, the famous Mille Miglia and Le Mans 24 hour (if you’re a fan of the recent Ford v Ferrari movie, you’ll be disappointed as there’s no much mention of 1966 Le Mans for obvious reasons – Enzo was poorly portrayed in that film anyway but that’s for another post).

The back half of the book covers the 70’s and 80’s – Niki Lauda and Gilles Villeneuve feature heavily. Enzo also gives his views on non-Ferrari drivers including Clark, Hill, Stewart, Moss (who he rates on par with Nuvolari), Peterson, James Hunt, Alain Prost (before he joined Ferrari), Keke Rosberg,  Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell.

Every page is jammed packed with photos and poster reproductions that invite careful study – from & newspaper clippings from first Italian GP in 1921, thumbnails of promotional posters for various grand prix and Mille Miglia races, postcards, magazine front covers, personal letters from Enzo to his drivers including Varzi (1934) and Lauda (1979). There is memorablia galore insider this book!

Budding collectors should be aware there are many versions of this book in circulation.

There is the reprinted 1st English version which has a brown monotone hardcover (driver hands and steering wheel – Louis Klemantaski’s 1957 photo alongside Peter Collins behind the wheel of a Ferrari 857S) with no dust jacket. Although this version was limited to 2500 copies, it is only 360 pages long.. The 5th edition hardcover of the same book has a coloured version photo on the cover. I’ve not seen a copy of either of these print editions but being only 360 pages, suspect it must be an abridged version of the original book.

The Italian version has a painting illustration of a vintage Ferrari racing car on its hardcover with no dust jacket and is 463 pages long.

The copy in my collection (Enzo looking through the rear engine cover – see the photos) is the Cartier Foundation sponsored English version which is 479 pages and a hardcover with a red dust jacket (removing the dust jacket, the front red hardcover has the Ferrari prancing horse motif stitched in cloth) and came with a brown slipcase. So there are definitely bonus pages in this particular edition, I’m not sure which particular pages are the extra ones.

In the past, most old copies of “Piloti, che gente” were usually priced over the $250+ mark but looking at recent ebay sales, you can sometimes get lucky and grab an auctioned copy for $100+. Make sure though the copy you get is at least 450+ pages (or is in decent condition).

Unless the book has additional authentic signatures, be wary of any excessive advertised list price as there are definitely copies periodically in resale circulation at reasonable prices.

Otherwise I thoroughly recommend this book as a coveted addition to the collection of any F1 history fan or tifosi!

Wow Factor/Money shot: Too many to list.

Suitable for: Grand Prix history fans, tifosi and poster art fans.

Enzo in his racing youth

The inimitable Nuvolari

Ascari…

Classic Grand prix posters

Sportscar success

Niki Lauda

il Commendatore