I’ve come to know many automotive executives in my more than 30 years in Automotive Media; CEOs, Chairmen, Designers, Beancounters, dealers, car company founders and owners, plus others. Many impress, and some disappoint. One that impressed me mightily, and still does, is Luca de Montezemolo, now retired Chairman of Ferrari. It was my privilege to spend a considerable amount of time with him over the years; at auto shows, at Ferrari, meals, interviews, meetings, and other reasons to be in the same space. A new documentary about his life and career is currently in the final stages of production, and I believe due out either later this year or early next. I found, and find, him terribly compelling. His automotive and other business bona fides comprise several lifetimes of careers. He’s intuitively smart, brilliant even, intuitive, knowledgeable, educated, well spoken, handsome and charming. His passion and enthusiasm for cars, particularly Ferrari, of course, and life in general are genuine and run deep.
Enzo Ferrari, Nikki Lauda, and a young Montezemolo
Just below you’ll find a magazine column I wrote about him some many years ago now, and you can easily read it by clicking on the image to blow it up full screen. I’ll let you know when the film–appropriately titled “Seeing Red” comes out and how and where you can watch it. I hope to visit with him again sometime, as we still have at least one more bottle of wine, and lots of conversation to finish.
Click to open full screen to read