the situation did not improve: the 1973 oil crisis plagued sales of high performance cars of manufacturers from around the world. consumers flocked to smaller, more practical modes of transportation with better fuel economy. by 1974, ferruccio had become disenchanted with his car business. he severed all connections with the cars that bore his name, selling his remaining 49% stake in the automaker. the shares were acquired by rené leimer, a friend of georges-henri rossetti.