Ferrari’s Misfires And Masterpieces
Every great legacy has its offbeat chapters, and Ferrari is no different. The name echoes speed, luxury, and beauty—but not every model lived up to the standards we've known to expect from Ferrari. Some designs fell flat, and a few simply confused loyal fans. As you read on, you’ll see the lineup that had people talking for the right and wrong reasons. Let’s start with the ugliest ones.
1. 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
With just 214 hp, the Mondial 8 felt more sluggish than super. It struggled early on with reliability, and its boxy design gave off sedan vibes. Critics widely panned it, and Time even named it among the “50 Worst Cars of All Time.”
Charles from Port Chester, New York on Wikimedia
2. 2011 Ferrari FF
The FF broke ground as Ferrari’s first four-wheel drive, but fans weren’t thrilled. It's shooting brake design baffled critics, and many mocked the bloated hatchback look. Built for comfort and practicality, it felt more like a BMW 5 GT than a Ferrari.
3. 1989 Ferrari 348 TB
Jeremy Clarkson, host of Top Gear, once called the 348 TB a “disappointment.” The boxy design aged poorly, and handling left much to be desired. It lacked the finesse and flair expected from a Ferrari, and was always compared to the Honda NSX.
1989 Ferrari 348 TB Walk Around by BlueChipCar TV
4. 1995 Ferrari F50
Despite its F1 inspiration, the F50 came off as exaggerated and fell short of the F40’s iconic legacy. The rear wing and canopy turned heads for the wrong reasons. Limited to 349 units, it earned nicknames like “spaceship” for its divisive looks.
5. 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4
Design never managed to step out from Daytona’s shadow. Unflattering front angles and a bulky rear kept it from earning real admiration. Built as more of a cruiser than a high-performance coupe, it earned the quiet label of “the forgettable Ferrari.”
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
6. 1974 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
Bertone took the reins from Pininfarina and delivered a wedge-shaped Dino that stunned traditionalists. Launched under a different badge to distance it from Ferrari’s elite, its awkward proportions drew scorn, and it was only appreciated by enthusiasts decades later.
7. 2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Oversized proportions gave 612 Scaglietti a bloated appearance that failed to impress enthusiasts. Aimed at executive buyers, its front grille and headlight design drew heavy criticism. It was also sandwiched between better GT models, and often lands near the bottom of Ferrari design rankings.
2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti - Rare Manual Transmission by DubiCars
8. 1980 Ferrari 208 GT4
Engine downsizing marked this as one of Ferrari’s weakest efforts. Boxy design and poor weight distribution ruined the driving dynamics, too. Built strictly to dodge tax penalties, the model remains an outlier in a brand known for thrilling performance and elegance.
This Ferrari Dino 208 GT4 Is Beloved By Autodromo's Bradley Price by Petrolicious
9. 1999 Ferrari 456M GT
Built as a luxury GT, the performance delivered, while the design failed to excite anyone seeking Ferrari’s classic drama. Styling lacked emotion, leaving the 456M GT often mistaken for other 90s coupes. A generic rear and uninspired headlights dulled its road presence.
1999 Ferrari 456M GT - Tom P. Autosport Designs Road Test by AutosportDesigns
10. 1975 Ferrari 208 GTB
A visual clone of the 308, but with dulled presence. The styling felt timid and lacked the bold stance typical of a Ferrari. Subtle tweaks made it look more watered-down than refined—forgettable in a lineup known for turning heads.
1975 Ferrari Dino 208 GT4 - driving Bertone's 1970s styling masterpiece by Petrolhead Classics
Having seen the misfires, let’s now explore the machines that define Ferrari at its prettiest.
1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
The 250 GTO stands out with a hand-shaped aluminum body that stretches into a long nose and softly contoured arches. Designed for racing and limited to just 36 units, its form achieves a rare harmony between aerodynamic function and lasting beauty, and remains Ferrari’s most valuable and visually refined car.
2. 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
Every part of the 288 GTO’s body emphasizes tension and control. Its compact frame, flared arches, and deep side ducts suggest power held in reserve. Originally meant for Group B racing, its design introduced a sharper and more focused direction for Ferrari styling.
The original uploader was PeterHoch at German Wikipedia. on Wikimedia
3. 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia
Praised for its precision and elegance, the 458 Italia featured a naturally aspirated V8 that soared to 9,000 rpm. Also, its sleek LED headlamps and sculpted body were praised. In 2009 and 2010, it earned “Car of the Year” and “Supercar of the Year,” respectively.
Ferrari 458 Italia 2009 | Prancing Horse, Rolling Hills | Performance | Drive.com.au by Drive.com.au
4. 2002 Ferrari Enzo
The Enzo features a narrow front with tall fenders that rise into sharp panel cuts. Its shape comes from Formula 1 influence, and the body feels compact but aggressive. This car reshaped the hypercar world, and only 400 exist—one of them given to the Pope.
5. 1994 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta
Ferrari’s F355 brought a cleaner, more refined silhouette to its mid-engine lineup. Flush side intakes and a balanced profile define the exterior. The shape relies on proportion and clarity, often regarded as one of the brand’s most timeless forms of the 1990s.
Jones028 from Hong Kong on Wikimedia
6. 2003 Ferrari Challenge Stradale
Crafted for the track, the Challenge Stradale dropped 110 kg from the 360 Modena to sharpen every response. Its carbon-ceramic brakes, race-ready rawness, and signature stripes quickly cemented its status. Among enthusiasts, it remains a benchmark of balance and purity.
7. 2013 Ferrari LaFerrari
LaFerrari’s shape centers around a teardrop cabin and broad rear shoulders. The sculpted surfaces carry airflow across its low frame, and as Ferrari’s first hybrid hypercar, it presents a body that feels experimental yet grounded in purpose and visual coherence.
8. 2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale
With a layered surface layout and sharply defined edges, SF90 Stradale shifts Ferrari into a more technical design era. The deep front cutouts and a hidden rear spoiler create contrast, which emphasizes the separation of form instead of traditional sculptural flow.
2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale walk around | carsales by carsales.com.au
9. 1967 Ferrari 330 P4
Seen as one of Ferrari’s most graceful racecars, the 330 P4 blends smooth wheel arches and a low bubble canopy into a single form. Its silhouette flows uninterrupted, and each surface follows aerodynamic logic shaped for speed rather than styling flourish.
Marty B from United States of America on Wikimedia
10. 2022 Ferrari Daytona SP3
Rooted in Ferrari’s 1960s race heritage, Daytona SP3 presents bold rear fins and a wedge-like nose. Every panel feels deliberate. A total of 599 were produced and sold out immediately, each one blending retro inspiration with aggressive Icona styling and modern excellence.
