In the world of classic automobiles and sports racing, no historical period or subculture enjoys as much legendary prestige as that of the “gentleman racer.” The gentleman racer was born in the late 1940s, when the Ferrari company began selling elite sports cars to hard-driving wealthy private customers who were willing to face the same risks as professional drivers. These gentleman racers enjoyed a close relationship with Ferrari and ultimately played a key role in transforming the company into the automotive giant that we all know today.

In addition to their passion for high-performance engineering, their ability to endure fatigue, and their dramatic flair for driving fast, the gentleman racers earned a reputation for their unique and impeccable style. Count Gianni Marzotto, for example, always raced in a jacket and tie to play down the danger normally associated with motorsports and to “show that a race could be run as recreation, a nice long drive along the Italian roads in a powerful car, but just for fun.”

Piloti Ligne 24H Le Mans Driving Shoe pays tribute to Count Marzotto and the rest of the gentleman racers. A luxurious mid-cut boot, it is stitched with meticulous detail that is reminiscent of vintage race boots. Entirely handcrafted in Italy from subtly distressed Italian leather, this shoe features a Campione sole and an ankle strap with both an embossed 24 Hours of Le Mans logo and a woven French flag.