ROSSOautomobili contributor Christian Cipriani (@drvnbydesign) had the opportunity to enjoy a long conversation with legendary automotive designer Frank Stephenson over Instagram live.
Scroll all the way down for the full livestream.
For those who aren’t familiar, Frank is a towering presence in the world of modern car design. His long list of innovations includes designs for the first BMW X5, which single-handedly ushered in the era of luxury SUVs, the MINI Hatch, Fiat 500, and supercar legends like the McLaren P1 and Maserati MC12.
However, our conversation focused on Frank’s time collaborating with Ferrari. He not only designed the F430, which was an update to the 360 and the core of Ferrari’s early-2000s road car lineup, but he also took the Enzo – designed by his former ArtCenter College classmate Ken Okuyama – and transformed it into the record-setting Ferrari FXX.
Frank: "The limited edition Ferrari FXX Super Enzo and its intended design before production. Then there’s the way it was produced..."
Talking with Frank about these two projects alone made for some wildly interesting conversation, but our long chat expanded in many directions. Here’s what we learned:
- What it’s like to be secretly recruited to a senior position at Ferrari.
- The relationship between design and engineering is incredibly complicated!
- Ferrari’s road car and F1 departments don’t work as closely as you might think.
- There’s a great story behind the manettino dial on the steering wheel.
- There’s a secret in the Ferrari logo that Frank learned directly from Piero Ferrari.
- The car design field is incredibly competitive, but you can get your foot in the door.
Enjoy this 1+ hour conversation with one of the most respected designers in automotive history and stay tuned for more insightful live chats that take you deeper into the past, present and future of Ferrari.
I, before yesterday, couldn’t have cared less about cars and formula 1. But I went to a highend secondhand shop yesterday where I carefully examined the “art”. I’m an artist. I found a ballpoint sketch of a car with Ferrari logo on gray pastel paper. I, unsuccessfully search for the signature. But, I bought it. (I.m in Ft Lauderdale.) At home, with a magnifying glass, I noticed under the car back light a sweeping mark much like an N or R & scribbled line underneath. After 24 hours of research and lots of enjoyment, I discovered I have a drawing of what appears to be a Ferrari Enzo 2002-2004, possibly done by Frank Stephenson in 2002(?) when he was developing the FXX. I have learned about FXX, F430. I learned Frank once lived on the barrier Island in FLL, FL where I live now. I watched the movie “Ferrari” last night. I must say I’m a fan now of Frank’s designs and Formula 1. And here’s the kicker.. I lived in Bologna for 5 yrs, speak Italian and went to Modena and Marinello often…where you can actually smell the testostrone! I’ll try to send a photo of the car sketch to your email. I have already matted and framed the sketch for my son who has loved Ferrari since a child going to Modena with me. He is the owner and desigher of Monta watches and Everest Horology..and the first inventor of rubber watch bands in 2012..Hence Stephenson Cosmos watch of 2022..silicon rubber band molded to the wrist. Please extend my congratulations to Master designer Stephenson for an excelent interview and a thank you to you for the video. My son is Michael living in St Louis. “A domani.” and the expression to best describ Italians’ philosophy that Frank was looking for, “Ci vuole pazienza”. Ciao.
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