Synopsis

Set in 1950’s Italy, this story, chronicles the “real life” battle of the sexes saga between the legendary Enzo Ferrari and American heiress Willie Smith over a fabulous prize: the last 375 MM Ferrari Spyder.

Enzo Ferrari is a passionate man who loves the cars he builds. His sensual, almost sexual lust for his cars is so strong that he can’t bear to attend races, because he can’t stand to see his masterpieces perish, which is, of course, a constant looming danger.

In Carmel, California, the beautiful, wealthy and modern Willametta “Willie” Smith makes gets word that her generous offer to purchase the very last of these magnificent car was an offer too good for Ferrari to pass up. His racing season is not going well, and the European royal for whom the car was destined declined delivery. So, he’s happy to get this problem off his plate.

Willie is also facing some challenges, as her husband Buddy seems to be doing more than looking at other women. Relieved and excited, Willie flies to Modena, Italy to pick up her car, leaving behind her philandering husband and children behind.

Arriving too late at the factory, she checks into the Hotel Real Fini, something akin to Rick’s Cafe American in Casablanca, Willie enters the beautiful and potentially hazardous domain of Ferrari. She’s greeted personally by the owner, Angela Bellini, a former madam, who is intrigued with this bold but naive American. She also meets handsome British race-car driver Raleigh Stewart and forms an instant attraction.

Trouble begins for Willie, after Alberto Cello, Ferrari’s right hand, meets their new customer and discovers a horrible mistake: Despite Willie’s masculine sounding name, the buyer, whose offer was contractually accepted, is… a woman! A housewife. Cello races to Ferrari’s office, with Willie in hot pursuit.

In a face-to-face confrontation, Ferrari dismisses Willie and announces the deal is off. No woman will ever own such a magnificent machine.But for Willie, a deal is a deal and she vows to possess the car she bought.
The gauntlet has been taken up and war commences in the streets, cafes, bars, hotels and bedrooms of Modena and Maranello.

Unwilling to return home without the car, Willie digs in, waging a battle of the sexes with Ferrari, experiencing triumph as she shows her prowess with a Ferrari race car and and setbacks as Cello serves as proxy for Ferrari’s intransigence. But Willie’s wealth and determination begin turning the tide of battle.

Ferrari, in desperation, entices Willie’s husband Buddy to Modena, in order to save face by selling him the car. Willie will have none of it, and sends Buddy packing. But tragedy soon follows, when her friend and lover Raleigh is violently killed in a crash during a grueling race.

She returns to Modena, seeking out Ferrari to share a mutual grief over their friend. Ferrari bitterly disappoints her, and a dramatic confrontation results in a bloody nose for Ferrari and abandonment of a dream for Willie.

Willie returns to the hotel, and with Angela’s support, prepares to return home.
Will Willie’s dream implode? Or will Ferrari redeem himself?