We almost can’t believe it, but the Ferrari LaFerrari is already over 11 years old. You’d never know it based on the looks alone: Flavio Manzoni’s hypercar is just as fresh today as it was a decade ago, proving that Ferrari can produce a belter of a poster car without the help of Pininfarina. However, the LaFerrari did take some inspiration from its prancing horse ancestors to help in the looks department. Sure, there’s a clear link to the Ferrari Enzo with its vertically arranged headlights and arrow-like front end, but there is another Ferrari hall-of-famer that directly inspired the LaFerrari’s nose, as these sketches from Mr. Manzoni reveal. 

That’s right, the two air intakes on the LaFerrari’s front end hark back to the iconic ‘shark nose’ found on the legendary Ferrari 156 from 1961. Not only was the 156 one of Ferrari’s most visually distinctive F1 cars ever, but it was also one of the most successful - being driven by Phil Hill to a 1961 World Driver’s Championship win and securing the Constructor’s Championship for Ferrari that year. So, next time you’re lucky enough to see a LaFerrari on the streets, you’ll know that aggressive front end comes courtesy of its great, great grandfather. 

Take a look at the fabulous LaFerraris for sale in the Classic Driver Market here.