Righini Castle | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Righini Castle

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by 410SA, May 21, 2008.

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  1. SCantera

    SCantera F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 4, 2004
    5,112
    Living Falls NC
    The Righini collection is truly a wonderful experience hosted by a special individual. Mario Righini is a gracious gentleman w/ a flash in his eye and emotion in his manner. I have had the good fortune of seeing the collection 3 times in the past 8 years. Everytime it is like getting an education in automotive history. One of Karl Benz first cars...antique motorbikes......early Alfas with dual overhead cams....a 4 cylinder 8 litre Fiat limosine.....Mussolini's staff car.....and of course the AC 815, Enzo's first car before he was allowed to put his name on them.

    If I am not mistaken I believe it was Mario's father that began collecting. After WWII there was no steel production in Italy due to the Allied bombing of N. Italy. Righini would travel the countryside gathering scrap steel. Italy was not only in physical ruin, but also suffering from a severe economic malaise. Special and unique cars were often sold for scrap by owners just trying to survive the hard times. That became the basis for the beginning of probably one of the most incredible collections in the world.

    Mario has such a great attitude about his cars and collection. He encouraged us to sit in the cars, take pictures, ask questions....it was a real treat to be able to experience and get close to these pieces of history. I have dozens of old photos of this collection including one w/ me sitting in the AC 815. Mario has driven many of the cars in events. I know he has driven the AC 815 in the Mille Miglia Storica more than once.

    The collection is not open to the general public. Like the "Italian Way" you have to know someone or contact to gain access. In 2006 I arranged a trip for 26 to the F1 GP at Monza [dropped in by helicopter] to watch Schumi win and retire at the race. We moved on to Marnello for Ferrari and Maserati tours. My trip then gained us access to Righini as well as the Pannini collection [Masers and motorcycles on a Parmagian cheese farm]. This was a trip for me and friends to remember.

    Thanks much for rekindling one of my fav trips to the old country.
     
  2. 4re gt4

    4re gt4 Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2002
    2,279
    Roseburg, OR
    Full Name:
    Hans E. Hansen
    #27 4re gt4, May 22, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ah, the Maserati collection. I still have some Parmesan in the 'fridge from the "Hombre" dairy farm. First time that I've ever seen a naked 'birdcage' frame.

    Hans.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  3. Lowell

    Lowell Formula 3
    Owner

    Apr 17, 2005
    1,165
    Santa Fe, NM
    Full Name:
    Lowell Brown
    In 2000 my wife and I spent a few days in Italy staying in Bologna.

    We visited the Ferrari factory. On another day, we
    drove around Modena and then drove back on the old road
    to Bologna. I had heard about this collection, but only
    knew approximately where it was. We stopped at a
    bar at a little village on the road that I though was
    close to it. There was a collection of old men sitting
    around. I asked them directions to the castle. They told
    me, but it was clear that they though that I was crazy to
    try to go there with no introduction to get in. We did find the
    castle, but all we could see was an ancient wall and a small
    wooden door. No one was around, so we can only say that
    we have been within about 100 meters or so of 815.

    Ah, luckless us.
     
  4. Christian.Fr

    Christian.Fr Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 9, 2005
    20,682
    Full Name:
    Christian.Fr
    Yey! good man!
     
  5. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    31,629
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    Absolutely stunning collection and a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing them both with us. Are any of the cars taken out and driven from time to time?

    John
     
  6. 4re gt4

    4re gt4 Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2002
    2,279
    Roseburg, OR
    Full Name:
    Hans E. Hansen
    Mr. Righini does drive at least some of them. When asked if he drove his 275GTB in vintage events, he said that it drives like a truck and that he much prefers the lighter feel of the 815. So we know that at least that car gets driven. Also note from the photo that it has a modern electric fan mounted to the radiator.

    As for the old cars in the barn, apparently many/most do not run.

    Hans.
     
  7. SCantera

    SCantera F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 4, 2004
    5,112
    Living Falls NC
    "I still have some Parmesan in the 'fridge from the "Hombre" dairy farm."

    Hans,
    The Parmasian chees from the Pannini Hombre farm is fabulous. I remember asking him if he ever would send it to the US. He said "no, the Americans just don't appreciate how special his cheese is so they don't deserve it". Spoken like a proud Italiano. I sure loved it and managed to smuggle some home in our luggage. Most of his cheese goes to finer restaurants in Italy. The Maser collection was not bad either :)
     
  8. Ferranki

    Ferranki Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2007
    773
    Buffalo NY
    Full Name:
    Ken
    WONDERFUL post!
     
  9. Bill_OBrien

    Bill_OBrien Formula Junior

    Oct 28, 2004
    416
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Bill O'Brien
    What is the story behind how he acquired 815??
     
  10. AceAndy2

    AceAndy2 Karting

    May 19, 2008
    137
    Idaho/Italy
    Full Name:
    Andrew Adams
    #35 AceAndy2, May 23, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2001
    6,336
    On the Limit
    Full Name:
    Dino
    What a great experience. I absolutely love that part of the world.
     
  12. epdowd

    epdowd Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 31, 2005
    675
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Tom Wilson
    AceAndy2 - Love the white car in the bottom photo. What is that?
     
  13. geno berns

    geno berns F1 Rookie

    Oct 26, 2006
    3,005
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Geno
    That's a 1966 Lamborghini 400GT..
     
  14. Harry-SZ

    Harry-SZ F1 Rookie

    WOW!! What a great story and I really would like to go there to visit the collection!
    Incredible cars in a fantastic setting!
     
  15. [355]

    [355] F1 Veteran

    Apr 10, 2006
    8,482
    Spacious tent
    Full Name:
    Harold Faltermeyer
    speechless...amazing...thanks for sharing!
     
  16. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
    7,289
    Etceterini Land
    Full Name:
    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    Having been a number of times (the first time in the late 1970s with Lurani), I would strongly suggest you make arrangements beforehand. Mr.Righini is a very generous and nice man, but this is NOT a public museum...
     
  17. Monoposto

    Monoposto Karting

    Aug 1, 2006
    57
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Does he (mr. Righini) speak English?
     
  18. DennisForza

    DennisForza Formula 3

    May 23, 2006
    1,800
    Arlington, VA
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    [​IMG]
    Amazing!!!!

    And I have to say the red tree air freshner hanging from the mirror gave me a chuckle. ;)
     
  19. SCantera

    SCantera F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 4, 2004
    5,112
    Living Falls NC
    Peter,
    No, Mario does not speak English. If you can ever find your way in to see his collection try to bring someone who speaks Italian to translate. If you do get to see Mario some interesting stories will be told. He has many to tell.........
     
  20. romeo50

    romeo50 Rookie

    Jun 24, 2008
    4
    This is my first posting on a chat forum.

    I am glad others have taken tours geared around our love of cars. I am looking at an exciting tour in October of this year that gives a drive experience through Italy in your choice of Ferrari model. It is a group tour that ends in Rome at a track with one on one drive experience with Bill Adam. The tour sounds outstanding as all hotel stays are 5 star plus, includes meals, wine tours, etc., etc. Luxury Car Tours is doing this exclusive trip-I can't wait!

    Romeo 50
     
  21. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 6, 2003
    2,825
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Thanks Alex. I actually became light-headed as I read your post and saw the pictures. Simply astounding.
     
  22. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    Welcome Romeo to this forum, as you see we have Ferrari fans and owners around the world here.......that sounds like a wonderful experience you have planned.

    Take plenty of photos and build a thread of your story to share!
     

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