Some auto enthusiasts happened to be walking past their local Nissan dealer and were surprised to see a Ferrari badge peaking out at them from a crumpled wreck in the corner of the shop.

It exudes classic Italian style, a downright impressive cabin, and supercar-like performance – exactly what you’d expect from anything with a Ferrari badge. And all of this despite it looking ...

he even had the shop switch the steering wheel’s original Ferrari badge. The automaker is fine with owners customizing its cars, but West Coast Customs wasn’t one of Ferrari’s approved shops.

But have modern regulations strangled the formula? In 1947, the 125 S, the first ever car to wear the Ferrari badge, rolled out of the gates at Maranello. It set the template for what would become ...