This year marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most storied car brands in history, Ferrari. And while Ferrari – the company – is famous for its high-horsepower performance cars throughout that time, Ferrari – the man, as in Enzo – surprisingly wasn’t so much.

Enzo Ferrari was an infamously cantankerous man who was equal parts curmudgeon and mechanical genius. His methods were eccentric and while the cars that bore his name were outrageous, the cars he actually drove were much more mundane. You might think that he drove to work in a red mist every morning in some two-seat racer overtaking Fiat 500s with each pulse of 12 cylinders, but most people forget that Enzo’s passion revolved around his company’s racing teams; road cars merely funded the racing, in his mind. For his own use, Enzo preferred a more sedate assortment of cars and actually begrudgingly drove just one Ferrari in his later years.

Peugeot 404 sedan

Before it was an Internet error code, the 404 was a comfy compact car at an attractive price point – think of it as a French Volkswagen Jetta. Between 1966 and 1968 Enzo drove a metallic grey example with a beige interior that he customized with a Nardi steering wheel and fog lights from a Lancia Flamina. He drove this car himself but a worsening knee problem meant that he would ride as a passenger while a driver shuttled him around.

Peugeot 504 sedan

The 404 was replaced by a 504 sedan in 1969. This one he left stock but only kept it for about a year. The 504 was simply the next-generation model of the 404.

Peugeot 504 coupe

Are you noticing a trend yet? The man loved his French cars. He replaced the 504 sedan with a 504 coupe in 1970 and kept it until 1973. The 504 was much more stylish than any of his previous rides, but it hardly rivals the style of the 365 GTB/4 they were making at the same time.

Fiat 128

This one has to have a rather large asterisk next to it. In 1969, when this commercial was made, Fiat owned 50 per cent of Ferrari; therefore, it can’t be entirely coincidental that Enzo claims to drive a 1969 Fiat 128 in the commercial. Nevertheless, the 128 seems to be in line with the chain of small, four-cylinder sedans that he preferred. Did Enzo really drive it every day? We might never know.

Mini Cooper

Alec Issigonis is famously known as the genius behind the Mini. Its compact dimensions, front-drive layout and cute face made it a hit among buyers in the low-cost segment. It also struck a chord with Mr. Ferrari, and he and Alec became mutual admirers. Enzo drove a Mini Cooper with some custom lights that was apparently a gift from Issigonis himself. He especially preferred it in the winter for its superior front-drive traction.

Ferrari 330 GT 2+2

Ironically, the classic Ferrari least liked by enthusiasts was the one for the man who could have driven any Ferrari. The 330 GT 2+2 has been harangued for decades for its unusual quad-headlights and its generous size and heft. Ferrari actually didn’t like driving his cars at all on the street and only drove the 330 GT 2+2 after accountants in the company pestered him into using it as a “demo” to drum up new interest from investors. Compared with other Ferraris at the time, the 2+2 was large, cushy and comfortable.

From the mid-’70s until his death in 1988, Enzo relied increasingly on being chauffeur driven. He would go on to build many more amazing cars, culminating in the iconic F40, but his personal cars would never again be as diverse and interesting as they were in the ’60s and ’70s. One can actually see through the cars he drove how little he actually cared about street cars. Enzo’s love was racing, and anything else was just a commute.