Maranello- My first trip to Mecca | FerrariChat
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Maranello- My first trip to Mecca

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by DIGMAN52, Jun 20, 2005.

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  1. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #1 DIGMAN52, Jun 20, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Got the thrill of visiting Maranello last week and had to share my experience. An early wake up call and a 3 hour drive from Tuscany had us, my son, son-in-law and future son-in-law, sitting in the waiting room for the Ferrari Factory Tour. Nice sized group of 12, we had a fairly new tour guide (3 months) take us through the assembly building, as well as the engine building and around the complex. There are 2 lines, 12 cylinder and 8 cylinder, although I saw several 430's sneaking through the 12 cylinder line, probably because of pent up demand. Near the end of the assembly lines is the engine testing area where they have several hooked up and running testing on. The assembly lines were working on 13 minute segments where each station had to be accomplished in that time, before the line moved forward. Lots of guts hanging out of those dash areas. The most interesting areas were where the leather cutting, sewing and installation took place. They had a complete cowhide layed flat on a huge table, with laser lights showing all the pieces for the dash and doors to be cut out of that hide. A girl with a handheld device picked out one piece at a time, flipped it around to where she wanted it and then went to the next piece until the entire piece of leather is being used up. Wish we could have stayed until the cutting took place. Then ladies sewed them up with the thread of choice, and more ladies pulled and tugged the pieces over the lightweight dash and door molds. Amazing to watch! The engine fab and assembly building was state of the art and spotless. Sorry no pics allowed, but they put on quite a show!
    Next was lunch at the Cavallino Restaurante across the street. Very empty and too pricey for the workers, but saw a couple of the suits entertaining there. Good Gnoche and off to the Galleria Ferrari where most of my pics are from. On the way saw that Enzo right in from of the factory.
    Only issue of the day was at 1:40 as we came out of the Galleria all the shops were closed, so we were screwed for our souvenier buying. Oh well, probably saved myself $400, and just have to buy that stuff on the internet.
    Later, one of my guys said they had never seen me so excited, and I have to agree. Worth the stress of 40 tunnels at 110-130kph in a Renault Espace, and only making the appointed tour time by 10 minutes. All I can say is if you get the chance,go!
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  2. coolestkidever

    coolestkidever F1 Veteran

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    #2 coolestkidever, Jun 20, 2005
    Thats absoletly awesome, i hope to go one day. FORZA!
     
  3. Alex_V

    Alex_V F1 Rookie
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    #3 Alex_V, Jun 20, 2005
    Very Cool.


    BTW, did you about witness a wreck in that first pic? that van and blue car look to be about narrowly missing eachother.....both looking at the Enzo, no doubt.
     
  4. matteo

    matteo F1 World Champ

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    #4 matteo, Jun 20, 2005
    NICE PIC'S!
     
  5. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 WJHMH, Jun 20, 2005
    Excellent photos Phil!
     
  6. tclark

    tclark Formula Junior

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    #6 tclark, Jun 20, 2005
    Hey Phillip,
    I was just there on month ago. Do you recall the tour guide's first name?
     
  7. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #7 DIGMAN52, Jun 20, 2005
    That's just normal over the top driving in Italy. Only saw one wreck in 9 days, a single car highway thing. Florence is the real driving trip where the streets get really narrow and clogged with vespas.
    To another poster, no I don't remember her name, but was an unnatural blonde with a nice butt.
     
  8. SupercarGuru

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    #8 SupercarGuru, Jun 20, 2005
    Awesome pics!!

    -jt
     
  9. udalmia

    udalmia Guest

    #9 udalmia, Jun 20, 2005
    awesome pics! thanks for sharing your experience with us
     
  10. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #10 parkerfe, Jun 21, 2005
    FYI, Mecca is in Saudi Arabia, not Italy.
     
  11. Tyler

    Tyler F1 Rookie

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    #11 Tyler, Jun 21, 2005
    Beautiful pics! Wow! :)
     
  12. Ferrari 328 Euro

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    #12 Ferrari 328 Euro, Jun 21, 2005
    Philip,

    I am totally understanding how you are feeling. I went in April and I was erect for weeks afterwards.... the factory was awesome and although Maranello is a quiet place, the sound of the nearby track with F1 race cars screaming at us all in the background was heavenly music. My hotel room at the Planet Hotel was #404 which is right on the corner of the building looking down on the Cavallino Bar and restaurant gate/entry and a PERFECT view of the main factory entrance. You could not ask for a better room/view. Unbelievable.

    Did you get those dorky red plastic earphone sets to use for the tour? They are cheapy things, but a great memento of the tour/visit.

    My tour did not cover the painting or wind-tunnel facilities but the assembly lines and leather room more than made up for anything missed. I did get to see the leather pieces being cut from the single hides. It was pretty cool. I asked the guy who was controlling the laser if I could keep a small piece of the scrap as it was in my interiors' tan colour. He was very nice and gave me a pretty decent sized piece of scrap leather. Those ladies who do the sewing and fitting were really nice and really fast at what they were doing.

    Our tour ran a little over the allotted time, but that was more than fine with me.

    I'm sorry you did not get the chance to do some shopping for all the Ferrari goodies, but most of it is available online anyway (maybe even cheaper than in Maranello)

    I want to go again soon. Maranello IS Mecca to so many of us!
     
  13. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #13 parkerfe, Jun 21, 2005
    I had no idea there were so many muslims on FC. From the traditional demographics of the USA, I would have thought the more likely analogy would have been "...Maranella-My first trip to Jerusalem or Bethlehem..."
     
  14. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #14 DIGMAN52, Jun 21, 2005
    I jokingly call a lot of my favorite spots mecca for their sports.

    golf - Augusta - The Masters
    horses - Kentucky Derby
    Racing - Indy 500
    Mainly just special places or events that define their sport.

    I don't joke with things like the birthplace of Christ.
     
  15. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 wax, Jun 21, 2005
    Excellent photography and "Now You Know What I Did This Almost Summer" synopsis.

    I used to go to a bar called The Mecca.
     
  16. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #16 DIGMAN52, Jun 21, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
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    #17 DIGMAN52, Jun 21, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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    #18 bernardo66, Jun 21, 2005
    Stunning!!!!!! Especially the shot of those gnocchi's with pesto.
     
  19. 512Professore

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    #19 512Professore, Jun 21, 2005
    Very, very nice photos! Congratulations on the Factory tour. I am positive the memories and mental images will last a life time.

    Judging from your photos, it looks like the Galleria has been augmented with new and different cars since I have been there two years ago. It is really cool to see. Did you have a chance to try the F1 simulators while there?

    Too bad, as you mentioned, that the shops across the street were closed, as they have many items you won't find on the Internet. Sometimes, the local businesses close for a really long lunch "hour", up to 3 hours at times.

    I think I need to plan another trip to "Mecca" as we call it.

    Cheers,
    Brian
     
  20. vince308

    vince308 Formula 3

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    #20 vince308, Jun 21, 2005
    Hi, great pictures.

    I planned a trip to Italy from 26-8 to 10-9-2005 going from Monza to Piacenza, Maranello, San Marino, coming back to Monaco and France.

    After your pictures I'm looking forward for my holidays.

    greetings, vincent.
     
  21. Owens84QV

    Owens84QV F1 Rookie

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    #21 Owens84QV, Jun 21, 2005
    I was in Maranello last October for 4 days, stayed in room 406 of the Planet Hotel...spent 90% of the hotel room time on the balcony watching everything go by.

    It's an awesome place to see everything from Vespa's, tractor trailers, a MC12, cars, and various other Ferrari's all in the span of 10 minutes. It's also great to visit the various independant auto garages around Maranello to see the vintage Ferrari's / Lambo's being worked on.

    I love that place!
     
  22. SEAL2CC

    SEAL2CC Formula Junior

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    #22 SEAL2CC, Jun 21, 2005
    WOW!! I'm there with my son week of 7/20 thanks to FoW and we are pumped..after seeing Lance hopefully do his thing in three Alpine stages of the Tour dF..his engine not too bad either!!

    Chris
     
  23. TigerAce

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    #23 TigerAce, Jun 21, 2005
    I didn't know you were going there! Or I may just forgot as you may mentioned to guys at last lunch.

    Hope you had a great fun! Bring us more pics next time we meet.
     
  24. raiderceb

    raiderceb Rookie

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    #24 raiderceb, Jun 21, 2005
    k this may sound stupid...and i know i never post other than once in the florida section...but...what all is involved in being able to schedule a tour of the factory? short of getting to italy of course...

    is there anything special you have to do? do you have to be an owner or atleast have an owner with you?

    thanks in advance...

    charles
    future owner
     
  25. SEAL2CC

    SEAL2CC Formula Junior

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    #25 SEAL2CC, Jun 22, 2005
    Be an owner and schedule through a dealer or FoNA. FoW did mine and couldn't have been more helpful..and I've yet to darken their doorstep...and I reserved a room at the Planet Hotel..later requesting a high floor to see the track, based on advice here, and the proprietor said he already had it done without my asking..looks to be a very smooth, enjoyable visit...
     
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