What if Ferrari wasn't Italian?

There was a question on a telly program that got me to thinking.

First up, this is a Ferrari Enzo:



I think even if its not your thing, you have to admit that its quite cool, and a name Ferrari Enzo is pretty cool too.

But the company Ferrari was founded by an actual person who's surname was Ferrari. And in fact his first name was Enzo.

So the Ferrari Enzo is actually named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari.

What if the Ferrari legend had been British instead of Italian? Would the name still be as cool? Would the car still be as cool?

What if the car company was called Smith? And what if, in honour of the late founder, the company produced a car called.... The Smith Bob?

 

Sorry, but so what?

The only reason you may find it odd is because of familiarity.

Take CIF it was Jif

Snickers was Marathon

Both only changed their names, but you don't ask for a marathon, you accept the name change, like wise if there was a car called the smith bob, you would accept it as the norm, and think Ferrari was odd.

 

Maybe you're right.

My point was that the Ferrari Enzo would be a cool car even if it was rubbish (which it may well be for all I know), just because it has an exotic sounding name. Its quite likely that I hold that opinion just because since before my first conscious memory, the name Ferrari has been a legend, something highly desired but unattainable. Whereas a name like Bob Smith, while no more or less quality than Enzo Ferrrari, is, to me as a Brit, just a common slightly boring name.

To be honest I'm not entirely sure what my point was, it just got me pondering. Most of us like to think we're too clever to succumb to marketing, but really none of us are. If I had more money than sense, I suspect I'd be more inclined to waste my money on a car called a Ferrari Enzo than one called a Smith Bob.

 

Is it made in China
Everything is made in China
Do i still make lemon juice

 

I had to think about that for a second

 

Wedgewood isn't made in China, but it is China.

 

I think it depends on the person. Enthusiasts would respect the engineering no matter what name it had. Non enthusiasts are attracted by marketing, heritage, and name, much like Rolex. A true watch enthusiast appreciates the all in house built case and movement, but is repulsed by the constant marketing push, ridiculous price rises, and the fact everyone knows the name and wants to own one because it shows you have "made it". Most buy it purely for the name, and in turn recognition.

 

RollsRoyce, probably more famous than Ferrari, bearing in mind the Aero engines.

OK, so some tin pot foreign company now owns the car company, but it got famous being British and that's why they bought it out.
Apologies to all tin pot foreign companies.