Righini Castle

I spent a wonderful week around Modena, doing the RM auction, watching the Mille Miglia roll through Maranello and discovering a hidden treasure trove of some of the most wonderful old cars, in their unrestored glory in a beautiful old castle in Castelfranco Emilia. It's close to Modena and literally a stone's throw away from the outrageously modern Paganis built in an industrial park.

The castle is the family home of the Righinis who have been steel wreckers in the area for decades. This was the place where old machinery and cars were broken apart to provide steel in times when it was cheaper to recycle it. The story goes that from time to time, instead wrecking some of the cars they stored them because they liked them. It promised to be quite interesting.

I drove to the castle after a morning at the Lamborghini factory and almost missed the place. My Tom-Tom said I was there, but there was only an old wooden gate set in a centuries old brick wall. It really didn't look like anything special. Mr Righini arrived home a few minutes later and opened the creaky old door to reveal a movie set castle courtyard with lovely greenery climbing the old brick walls and wild roses flourishing everywhere. Mr Righini spoke no English but his grandson was there to translate. The first door was another one of those old green wooden doors and it opened into a gloomy old barn. When my eyes adjusted to the light my jaw literally hit the floor. There were literally dozens of cars crammed into the space with hardly any room to walk around them. Italian cars of every type - Alfa, Lancias, Fiats and sprinkled among them were a couple of Bugattis and an original (and I mean the first one ever!) Benz. I walked through the barn and could not believe what I was seeing. Mussolini's personal very grand one -off Fiat was sitting against the wall in mute testimony of his power at one time.

When I was done inspecting every car and getting ready to leave, the grandson said "there is more". He led me to another door, metal studded this time. It creaked open to reveal a sea of red. More modern this time. A Formula one car, several Ferraris, Lancia Rally cars, an Alfa TZ Zagato - simply mind boggling. I walked around soaking it in and once again prepared to leave. "More?" he asked again. I wasn't sure I could take it. We walked to the other end of the great courtyard to a smaller green door.

It opened slowly and the first thing I saw was a very modern satin cover over a car and the inscription 8C Competizione. He had a brand new Alfa 8C in there! "Why the modern car?" I asked and he pointed to what was hidden behind the new car - The original Nuvolari driven 8C!!! I was so excited that it took me a moment to notice the burgundy colored car next to the old 8C. It had no name, but the grille had the numbers 815 on them. This was the original car that Enzo Ferrari built before he could legally use his name on his cars. Staggering! That little room also contained an old race car and a BMW but my mind was reeling at this point.

There were other cars elsewhere that I didn't see but the grandson said there were over 350 cars on the estate and literally hundreds of old motorcycles as well.

This was one of the most stunning automotive experiences I have ever had and all the beautiful Mille cars as well as the circus atmosphere of the RM auction could not come close to the grandeur of the Righini collection. I hope to be able to see it again some day and soak up more of the history that lies there in mute splendor.

Here are a sampling of some pictures of the castle and the collection.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice pics!

I can feel my heart beating in my pupils. LOVE old speed metal.

 

Dibs on the Zagato, the BMW and all the old Alfas.

 

Wow I have heard about this collection but never seen pictures GREAT

Sean

 

Thanks for posting - I ended up on a tour of Corse Cliente at Fiorano last Sat and I think I know where I'd rather have been......

 

Woww!

thanks for sharing, is the owner accepting visitors by appointment?

Would love to go there and appreciate the old metal.

Hans

 

Fantastico!!

 

What a great experience! Did another member visit this castle with Phil Hill a couple years ago?

Peter

 

What a thrill...thank you!
CH

 

Amazing!!!! Thanks for sharing.... Is the collection documented in any way (literature / website?)

Just Found this!

http://www.infohub.com/TRAVEL/SIT/sit_pages/6077.html

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - Monday, September 11. Morning departure from Como to Modena, where a three-night stay has been reserved for you at the Hotel Real Fini. Along the way we stop at the Alfa Romeo Museum. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by Phil Hill at the famous Real Fini Restaurant.

Day 2 - Tuesday, September 12. In the morning we will visit the Lamborghini Museum and Factory, followed by a marvelous lunch…bring your appetite. In the afternoon we are honored to be invited to view the magnificent private collection of Mario Righini. Truly a memorable day!

Day 3 - Wednesday, September 13. Enjoy a visit to a famed exotic car factory, followed by lunch at Cavallino. In the afternoon visit the Ferrari Museum and shop the numerous Ferrari merchandise stores.

Day 4 - Thursday, September 14. Early morning departure for Malpensa Airport (MXP) for your return flight home or continue your vacation on the Belgium Extravaganza. Please note: Flights should not be scheduled before 11:30 am, if taking our transfer.

Special Events:

Lamborghini Factory - Take a look into the passion and care that is put into these luxury vehicles, from the hand stitched interior to the overhead cam engines.

Lamborghini Museum - Houses many special cars including the last made of several models and numerous Formula One cars.

Ferrari Museum - Here you will get a fascinating insight into the history of the Prancing Horse. Take a look into Ferrari’s past, present and future through F1 themed exhibits, past and present cars, technological innovations and photographic shows.

---Righini Collection - Mario Righini`s passion for restoring and salvaging old cars brings you one of the most amazing private collections to tour. His collected works include various makes of cars, motorbikes and bicycles, all original classics. He even has on display the very first Ferrari ever built.---

Alfa Romeo Museum - Featuring five floors of of incredible exhibits, many tracing history to the time Enzo Ferrari ruled as the Alfa team manager.

The Ristorante Cavallino - Located across from the Ferrari Factory offers a great dining experience with arguably the finest food in the world. Enzo dined here daily, so don’t be surprised to see Luca di Montezemolo or Michael Schumacher ordering pasta.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not even that expensive at 2395 US Dollar (USD) p.p. considering the exchange rate! Not available anymore though....

More Pics at:

http://www.barchetta.cc/All.Ferraris/righini-collection/index.html

 

410SA,

what a great post. Terrific pictures and a wonderful story to boot. Thank you very much for this.

Neil

 

i never imagine that Mario Righini gets all these cars behin the green doors. i know he gets the first Ferrari built by Enzo auto avio Mario righini he s very proud of it and he wants to keep it for ever in his family. For the rest of cars ...it s just incredible.
lucky old man!

 

good god! that's amazing! there is a yellow Series I 500 Mondial (PF bodied) in there . . . . .

 

Unbelievable. Thank you very much for posting. Beautiful story.

 

This is the automotive equivalent of the boneyard in AZ, on a whole different level. Something every car aficionado should see once in a lifetime. Thanks for sharing this experience too!

410SA, would love to see more if it's not much of an inconvenience.

 

That is incredible! I'm going to be in that area this summer, is there a way to make an appointment?

 

A great read.

Thanks 410SA.

 

Thank you so much for the pix! I gather that this collection is not exactly a secret, just not publicized. I think you were very fortunate to have been able to just "walk in". Congratulations!

 

I love it!

 

WOW!!!!

 

That's what I call a fary tale castle. Thanks so much for sharing!

 

I was at the Lamborghini factory on Thursday May 15th! I cannot believe this treasure trove was in the same area!!!!

I was in Brescia that evening for the beginning of the Mille. Amazing experience!!

Thank you for the pics!! I have to now pick my jaw up off of the floor.......

Here is a link to the translated web page ofr the museum:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.righinimario.it/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Drighini%2Bcollection%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLJ

Untranslated:

http://www.righinimario.it/

 

That collection is unbelievable!

 

Here's my favorite from my visit last year. Shows 'the man' himself.

Hans.
PS: He treated us to several rounds of Lambrusco. What a treat!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

What is the bright-yellow car pictured in the corner under the Ferrari banner?