Automotive heaven? Exotic cars in Italy!

[krm]

Back in November, I visited two of the world's most famous exotic car marques located in Northern Italy. The trip was very worthwhile and inspired me to share this experience with other automobile enthusiasts. Hope you all enjoy the reading as much as I enjoyed the trip, and may you find yourself there someday. - Karman S. :asian:

What is it like to be in automotive heaven? Visiting the home grounds of Ferrari and Lamborghini certainly revealed to me a vision of such a holy place. For the short couple of hours at prancing horse and raging bull territory in the small towns of Maranello and Sant’Agata, there was no escape but to be captivated by the awe of these works of art which have stirred the emotions of many automobile aficionados the world over.

The Journey Begins

My first leg of the trip took me through the industrial region of southern Modena to the little town of Maranello, home of the renowned cavallo rampante - the rampant, or more famously known prancing horse. Morning fog and rain had been lingering through the early Monday morning drive via the Autostrada A1-E35 from Firenze (Florence) to Modena South. To my surprise, I did not encounter too much of a rush hour congestion, and aside from the wet and foggy conditions, much of the traffic was moving at a rapid pace. Through the Italian valleys and rolling hills, I was able to reach the outskirts of Modena shortly pass an hour (in a rental Astra for those who are curious). Thanks to my unfamiliarity of the roads and the surprisingly lack of signs, which led to a missed turn after the Modena sud exit, I resorted to the long way around the industrial region and even troubled an Audi dealer en route to confirm directions. Just when I thought I had lost my way again, I noticed the increasing number of prancing horse emblems around…


On a Benz truck


On a Fiat Panda (!)

…and the number of pedestrians in red outfits along the sidewalks.


Ferrari factory workers

Driving down the tree lined via Abetone Inferiore, it was a welcoming site seeing one of the hairpin turns of the Fiorano test track where factory racers and test drivers regularly visit to try out the latest hardware. Here is a picture of the F3-2003GA testing on the Fiorano track:


(Press photo - Ferrari SpA.)

A right turn on the via Fornace, I was in the heart of Ferrari territory. Unsurprisingly, much of everything in this little town is in the shade of rosso red, and naturally, my heart increased pace—a quick parking job and I was off on foot proceeding towards the main gate.



Here is the Ferrari store diagonally across the via Abetone from the main entrance.



While walking around, a dark metallic blue 360 Modena drove by with some of the most intoxicating noises I have ever heard. A quick glance at the details such as a more aggressive looking front bumper, the carbon fiber wing mirrors, sportier cross-spoke alloys, and mesh-grilled tail helped distinguish itself as the Challenge Stradale. Unfortunately, the car passed by too unexpectedly to allow for a quick photo, but the wonderful sound coming from the spirited 40-valve V8 parting off with a melodious crescendo was something that will be a lasting memory. The screaming Ferrari engine notes coming from the Fiorano track seem to be the routine soundtrack of the morning as well – but given my time restraint I was reluctant but to proceed to the museum where some sweet eye candy awaits.

Down via Fornace towards via Dino Ferrari is the Galleria Ferrari.





A visit to the Galleria Ferrari is a must for anyone who comes through Maranello and appreciates a thing or two about fast cars. Surely enough Ferrari is much too commercialized (unlike their arch nemesis in Sant’Agata) and charges an admission for viewing their mini museum. There is also a gift shop in the main entrance hall which sells anything related (or unrelated) to the marque such as F1 memorabilia, scale models, model brochures, notepads, pens, and even teddy bears. However, that did not detract me away from the main reason why I came to this place…

Upon entrance to the gallery, I was greeted by a pristine example of the 275GTB.


Bella Machina!


Here we have a detailed scale frame model of the 250 SWB in the museum gift shop

The gallery is separated into two floors, with the bottom floor themed by the rich motorsport history of the marque and the top floor focusing on their technical innovations.


A gorgeous vintage ’64 F1 racer (158 F1) precedes the staircase to the two floors

To many, the words Ferrari and racing come hand in hand. With Ferrari’s successful history in Formula One, it was a great opportunity to browse at various examples of their race cars from the recent years. The impressive display includes the F1-89 driven by N. Mansell & G. Berger back in ‘89, along with the F399, F2000, F2001, and F2002 driven by M. Schumacher, E. Irvine (F399 only), and R. Barrichello.






The number of Manufacture Championship trophies tells the story

Behind the mock up Formula One garage sat the fastest ever roadgoing prancing horse – the Enzo Ferrari, endowed with the latest automobile technology drawn upon Ferrari’s Formula One experience, how appropriate.



Having spent a bit too much time with the Formula One race cars and the stunning Enzo, there was no chance to absorb the sheer amount of information contained on the gallery walls. Reluctantly, a quick browse at the upper floor displays and I departed for the next stop on the itinerary.


Upstairs, a 360 Modena in its natural unpainted aluminum skin...


...and a gorgeous Barchetta with an F50 sitting behind

(Continue to Part II below)