Maranello and around

2 Museums, the one in Maranello and the MEF in the city of Modena.

Marcel Massini

 

Lambo museum at the factory, Panini Maserati collection and Ducati museum at Borgo Panigale, a suburb of Bologna, are all public.

 

I did visit the Lambo museum at the factory last year and must say, it really was a total joke (and that is nicely phrased!). It began already when entering their entrance building. Insanely unfriendly personnel. Worse than rude. Never again.
I cannot recommend that, really not.

Marcel Massini

 

Sorry you had that experience. I haven't been in several years, I knew a lady there that was very friendly and helpful but who has now retired. I ran into Stephan Winkelmann in the museum when he was first CEO, a nice moment. I needed some archive photos for a book I was working on which people had never managed to get and within 4 days of telling him I received them

I think the whole "Zupercar" Lambo vibe attracts a lot of uncouth visitors as has been the case for decades -and uneducated nouveau riche actual clients of course- so the staff may have developed a thick skin...

 

Been to all the Museums - which are very nice. Surprisingly I like the birth place museum in Modena the best... as for Lamborghini - it is a bit micky mouse, not close to Ferrari. the folks there were not rude, but just dismissive... but whatever . When I was there there was a bus of Asian tourists - all guys, all dressed in black? not making it up, it was strange. the good news was they had a Senna exhibition going on up stairs, so that was cool. Pagani is not open to the public, but .. they have small boutique with doors that look right into the assembly area. If you time it right you can see pretty much everything... I saw Horacio, and shook his hand as he literally walked in and out of the shop... up and down the stairs. one of the production techs then took me inside the main door, to look around, It was not that special, it was a large room, with about 4 cars in various stages of build. That was about 11;30 Am, so not sure if they were out for lunch or not. What was interesting, is that when I was there, there was a Porsche 918 going in and out of the gates to the Pagani factory... so obviously evaluating the car.

 

Many years ago I visited a tiny Stanguellini museum in Modena. Does that still exist? There were also two Ferraris in the collection and I think a very old Fiat in which Enzo Ferrari had taken his fierst driving lessons?
Of course Toni Auto in Maranello is always worth a visit. And next door is a tiny showroom of Purosangue.
I have never been to the Mille Miglia museum in Brescia. Nor to the Alfa Romeo museum near Milan. If you do go there, you could also visit the Monza racetrack.

 

I think you met these guys:

 

Stanguellinis on Via Emilia Est (near Diena's) is long gone.
The little showroom Purosangue of Candrini, a bit north of Toni's, next to the bar with yellow facade is gone as well.

As a historian I am always interested in checking out the remains of the old Modena Aerautodromo, the air control tower still exists and has been freshened up a few years ago.
There's so much history there.

Also the cemetary San Cataldo where Enzo Ferrari's tomb is.
Or the official dealer Ineco on Via Emilia Est (near Scaglietti).

Marcel Massini

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This last picture intrigues me. A Ferrari and a Maserati together? For a photoshoot? Do you know the backstory?

 

Modena's Aerautodromo was used in the 50s and 60s as proving ground by many sportscar manufacturers, not just Ferrari, oftentimes several marques there on the same day. Nothing new at all.
And no doubt you are aware that there were also several official races in those decades. There is more than one publication about this wonderful place in the middle of the city. Later on, half of the area was unfortunately rebuilt into regular apartment buildings and a strange park named Enzo Ferrari.......... The legendary bar (at the circuit entrance) and the AGIP gas station at the Via Emilia Est corner has disappeared a long time ago. Only the flight/air traffic control tower remains today and has been beautifully restored a few years ago. Close to the Aerautodromo were also the premises of Piero Drogo's Carrozzeria Sports Cars.
Here are some more pix of a truly golden era.

Marcel Massini

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Fantastic images Marcel, thanks for posting them.

 

Last time I went there was a small showroom you can enter with a couple of finished cars and you could peek into the production workshop...but that was several years ago, can't recall when. Just call them and ask.

 

https://www.arthomobiles.fr/MMRM09/Pagani/pagani.htm
https://www.arthomobiles.fr/Pagani%202016/pagani16.htm

 

These photos of the setup at Modena certainly help to provide greater context for trackside photos I've seen for years. Thank you!

 

marcel: thanks for these photos-places no longer available as they were.
Malcolm

 

Ferragosto.
Country is basically closed.
But you might meet half a billion Dutch and Germans with campers.

Marcel Massini

 

Si Signore, very true; the Dutch clog the slow lane with a billion caravans and the Germans act like they own the passing lane in their Bimmers;-)

Forget about visiting Modena and Italy in July or August, far too crowded. Best time is May, June, September. I am going right after the Monaco Historic GP next month.

 

Will be there end of May.

Gr. Martin

 

I was in Maranello last September and it was perfect.

 

Be sure to visit the Maranello collection, world class shop for the finest limited edition scale models and rare books; say hello to its very friendly and knowledgeable owner Luca
It is miles better than the 2 or 3 other such shops in Maranello, no comparison.

https://www.maranellocollection.com/

 

Check out Toni Auto for some cool classics.

Gr. Martin