Ferrari clocks 70

It was on March 12, 1947 that the first car to wear the now famous Ferrari badge was pulled and chased from the factory in Maranello, Italy.

On Sunday, exactly 70 years later, Ferrari launched its official celebrations for this anniversary milestone with a re-enactment of this historic day.

Ferrari's first car was the 125 S with chassis number 01C. This was not the first Ferrari car founder Enzo Ferrari, however. This honor goes to the 1940 Auto Avio Costruzioni 815.

As for the 125 S, the car had no body for its initial test, but only two months later, it would compete in its first race. The start of the track took place on May 11, 1947 at the circuit of Piacenza.

Franco Cortese was driving and was in the lead when a defective fuel pump completed the exit prematurely. Cortese would then drive the car to his first victory nine days later at the Grand Prix of Rome. The 125 S would eventually accumulate five more victories that year, the most notable being the victory of Tazio Nuvolari at the Grand Prix of Parma.

Ferrari built only two examples of the 125 S. Both were powered by a 1.5-liter V-12 designed by Gioacchino Colombo with the help of Giuseppe Busso and Luigi Bazzi.

The controversy surrounds the fate of both cars as both were modified and sold as models later. It is thought that the chassis 01C was resold as 1948 166 Spider Corsa carrying the new chassis 010I. The current owner of the car in 1987 had restored it to its 125 S form, as shown here.

Ferrari plans to host anniversary celebrations in 60 countries. The special edition LaFerrari Aperta will be present at every stage as a symbol of the 70th anniversary, as well as a number of cars with special livery inspire important milestones in the history of Ferrari. The celebrations, which will culminate the weekend from 9 September in Maranello, can be followed via the website www.ferrari70.com.