Maranello Magic at Museo Ferrari

May 29, 2015
Story By
John Brooks

Any visit to Maranello, home of Ferrari, must include time at the Museo Ferrari. Upgraded and revised a year or two back, it is a shrine to the legend that Enzo Ferrari created in this Modenese suburb nearly 70 years ago. I will be taking a detailed look at what was on display and this prologue is intended to illustrate the breadth of the topics to be covered.

On both road and track Ferrari represents the pinnacle of performance and style, with a flair that only the Italians can bestow. Well that's what they believe in Maranello and they have plenty of evidence to back up such claims.

Working one's way through the exhibits, the first area encountered celebrates the amazing record of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One. This goes all the way back to the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix. Of those who took part that Sunday in May 65-years ago, only the Scuderia is still in the Formula One World Championship.

This participation has led to many triumphs both at Grand Prix and World Championship level. The results are feted in the "Hall of the Victories", it is impressive to say the least.

The crossover between competition and every day use on the road, if such a concept is possible in a Ferrari, was arguably strongest during the '60s. The ultimate example of this could be said to be the Ferrari 250 GTO, which now outperforms its rivals in the auction rooms with the same assurance it showed on the track. One of these gems went for a reported $52,000,000 a year or two back.

A more up to date example of this lineage is the F40, with a decent competition record in the '90s.

But Ferrari back in the '60s was always looking to support their racing activities through diversifying the business. One such avenue explored featured this Ferrari ASA (Autocostruzioni Societa per Azioni) but the 5,000 planned production run of this baby Ferrari didn't happen - only 120 were built.

Ferrari was eventually acquired by the Agnelli family through their Fiat empire, salvation was assured. Now wild concept cars are produced for eager collectors to squabble over. This track version of the LaFerrari, the F150 Laboratorio was used to explore various options for the FXXK and to introduce the HY-KERS system to the Ferrari faithful.

Of course the coffers in Maranello are filled to overflowing with their very successful merchandising program. All the sizes, all the colors, anything that can be sold has the Cavallino stamped, embroidered or engraved prominently, it is a license to print money. More from the Museo Ferrari in the next weeks.

Maranello Magic at Museo Ferrari

What Others Are Reading

Recommended For You