Ferrari factory visit

Vitalone · 10-07-2011, 05:42 AM

Thanks to Onno who arranged a factory tour for us as part of our 4500km, 9 day driving adventure together with his brother, Harald. Splendid! Even better than I had been dreaming of these past 20 years when I first visited Maranello and was unable to gain access to the factory.

I still pinch myself that this actually happened...Driving along the French and Italian Riviera's in the Michalone in the company of the magnificent 550 Maranello. Blasting through Italy at the wheel of one's Ferrari is magic! Even better in a convoy of two. Walking around Maranello with good friends who know the place well. Watching the F1 3 seater lap Fiorano. Admiring the jewels at Classiche in the company of a very knowledgeable Ferrari man. Looking over the factory from our hotel balcony. Piloting the Michalone and then the 550 in the hills behind Maranello. More jewels in the Museo Ferrari. The fact that Ferrari's are made completely in house. The metalurgical department within the engine works. Romeo and Juliet dipping valve seats into liquid nitrogen at minus 196 Celsius. Admiring beautiful 458 berlinetta's and spiders on the assembly line. Watching a 599XX lap Fiorano making a sound different to a V12, prototype engine testing for the next one...The F1 building and Corsa Clienti with about 50 F1's lined up in two rows. Enjoying a terrific lunch at the Cavallino Restaurante. Enjoying great pizza's at Hotel Domus and then bumping into the Ferrari Club SA president there.

Am an even bigger fan of Ferrari now (if that is possible). La dolce vita!

Vitalone · 10-07-2011, 05:45 AM

A few more memories

Vitalone · 10-07-2011, 06:30 AM

And a few more

wetpet · 10-07-2011, 06:44 AM

Awesome! a trip to the italian mecca. Haven't been in a couple years, can't wait to do it again. Always like pics, specially from the museum as it changes frequently. Here is my son and i at the factory.

brettgagnon · 10-07-2011, 06:47 AM

Great pictures, thank you for sharing! Next trip to Italy I am being "allowed" to divert, or so she says now!

212Export · 10-07-2011, 07:02 AM

Great pictures David ! Thank you very much. You obviously had a room in the planet hotel ?!

Great view from there. And the Michalone looks splendid especially from that nice lunch table.

Boxer · 10-07-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 212Export

Great pictures David ! Thank you very much. You obviously had a room in the planet hotel ?!

Great view from there. And the Michalone looks splendid especially from that nice lunch table.

+1, a trip to the factory is always a memorable experience.

F1.360.LOVER · 10-08-2011, 04:50 AM

Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for posting the pics. I was in Maranello three weeks ago and there was no space for me at the Ferrari factory tour. I sent my application in April. They told me that the week after the F1 race would be tough to get in but show up anyway. At least they gave me the photo book that people receive on the tour. There will be a next time.

Nate

Killer58 · 10-08-2011, 05:20 AM

September is their busiest time of the year. Closed during August, once they reopen in September, the slots are in high demand.

The year's tour schedule is usually released in the first week of January. Last week, I was told to send in my application for next September. They'll said they'll process it once the schedule is released.

a1exander · 10-08-2011, 07:28 AM

Thank you for the pics. Sounds like the two of you had a memorable visit.

I must confess that I am in love and covet another mans car.

David I shall admit it publicly......your car is magnificent. Pity she is there and I am here or now that you are about to step into a boxer I surely would have made a move.

Gcalo · 10-08-2011, 07:47 AM

Another great place is the new Maserati showroom in Modena at the factory. What a surprise that was!

We were in Modena September 2007 the day the new showroom was to be opened to the press before to the public. There were crews setting up a stage for the event as well as world-based camera crews setting up their equipment for the day/evening there.

I spoke with a guard and informed him we were from the US sent to see the facility! He let us in, and there was only one other couple there. What a treat. Very impressive.

I'd encourage folks to see that as well.

wetpet · 10-08-2011, 09:41 AM

and don't forget the lambo and pagani factories just around the corner either!

Bill · 10-08-2011, 10:35 AM

Thank you for sharing!

So great that you had you son with you, I'm sure he will have fun telling his friends about it.

cheers,

Bill

Barry · 10-10-2011, 01:08 AM

David
Great pics and memories. Reminds me of FLED5 and from your picture your hotel room could only have been a couple doors from mine when we stayed there. What a view to wake up to, the iconic Ferrari gates...

sounds like you packed a lot in to your trip. I hope the 20 yrs wait did not disappoint!

Vitalone · 10-11-2011, 10:34 AM

Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen. It was a trip of a lifetime, way exceeded expectations, the 20 year wait was worth it! Indeed we stayed at the Planet Hotel, great view over the factory, excellent breakfast. The magic of Maranello adds to the allure of Ferrari.

Barry · 10-11-2011, 10:42 AM

http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/at...fast-gtb-joins

There's something wonderful about that 'breakfast table, Ferrari in the background' photo David. Can't put my finger on it, but it makes me feel like getting in the 360 and just driving back to Italy...

Gcalo · 10-11-2011, 11:02 AM

Vitalone

Did you meet MR. Fregni at the front desk at the Planet Hotel?

Vitalone · 10-12-2011, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gcalo

Vitalone

Did you meet MR. Fregni at the front desk at the Planet Hotel?

Unfortunately not. However the young ladies at the reception desk were beautiful and charming, so I was not paying much attention. As I plan to visit Maranello again, please let me know who Mr Fregni is.

Vitalone · 10-12-2011, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/at...fast-gtb-joins

There's something wonderful about that 'breakfast table, Ferrari in the background' photo David. Can't put my finger on it, but it makes me feel like getting in the 360 and just driving back to Italy...

Thanks Barry, there is something magic about driving a Ferrari in Italy. And a bonus if she can join one for breakfast overlooking a piazza.

A few more pictures from that magic trip.

Gcalo · 10-12-2011, 07:30 AM

Mr. Fregni is the manager of the hotel.

10-07-2011, 05:42 AM	#1
Vitalone Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Amsterdam Ferrari Life Posts: 638	Ferrari factory visit Thanks to Onno who arranged a factory tour for us as part of our 4500km, 9 day driving adventure together with his brother, Harald. Splendid! Even better than I had been dreaming of these past 20 years when I first visited Maranello and was unable to gain access to the factory. I still pinch myself that this actually happened...Driving along the French and Italian Riviera's in the Michalone in the company of the magnificent 550 Maranello. Blasting through Italy at the wheel of one's Ferrari is magic! Even better in a convoy of two. Walking around Maranello with good friends who know the place well. Watching the F1 3 seater lap Fiorano. Admiring the jewels at Classiche in the company of a very knowledgeable Ferrari man. Looking over the factory from our hotel balcony. Piloting the Michalone and then the 550 in the hills behind Maranello. More jewels in the Museo Ferrari. The fact that Ferrari's are made completely in house. The metalurgical department within the engine works. Romeo and Juliet dipping valve seats into liquid nitrogen at minus 196 Celsius. Admiring beautiful 458 berlinetta's and spiders on the assembly line. Watching a 599XX lap Fiorano making a sound different to a V12, prototype engine testing for the next one...The F1 building and Corsa Clienti with about 50 F1's lined up in two rows. Enjoying a terrific lunch at the Cavallino Restaurante. Enjoying great pizza's at Hotel Domus and then bumping into the Ferrari Club SA president there. Am an even bigger fan of Ferrari now (if that is possible). La dolce vita! Attached Images David Current: 308 Michalone and a few 911's Past: 246gt, 512BB and a few 911's

10-07-2011, 05:45 AM	#2
Vitalone Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Amsterdam Ferrari Life Posts: 638	A few more memories Attached Images David Current: 308 Michalone and a few 911's Past: 246gt, 512BB and a few 911's

10-07-2011, 06:30 AM	#3
Vitalone Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Amsterdam Ferrari Life Posts: 638	And a few more Attached Images David Current: 308 Michalone and a few 911's Past: 246gt, 512BB and a few 911's

10-07-2011, 06:44 AM	#4
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,599 Name: Ed	Awesome! a trip to the italian mecca. Haven't been in a couple years, can't wait to do it again. Always like pics, specially from the museum as it changes frequently. Here is my son and i at the factory. Attached Images Everything you know is wrong Stop chatting and start living the ferrarilife!

10-07-2011, 06:47 AM	#5
brettgagnon Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Ferrari Life Posts: 426 Name: Brett Gagnon	Great pictures, thank you for sharing! Next trip to Italy I am being "allowed" to divert, or so she says now! - Brett ----------------------- Current: 1978 308 GTB (25823) Past: Other: 2011 Audi A6 Avant

10-07-2011, 07:02 AM	#6
212Export Owner Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 2,278	Great pictures David ! Thank you very much. You obviously had a room in the planet hotel ?! Great view from there. And the Michalone looks splendid especially from that nice lunch table.

10-08-2011, 04:50 AM	#8
F1.360.LOVER Owner Join Date: Dec 2009 Ferrari Life Posts: 56	Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for posting the pics. I was in Maranello three weeks ago and there was no space for me at the Ferrari factory tour. I sent my application in April. They told me that the week after the F1 race would be tough to get in but show up anyway. At least they gave me the photo book that people receive on the tour. There will be a next time. Nate

10-08-2011, 05:20 AM	#9
Killer58 Owner Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Ferrari Life Posts: 1,418 Name: David	September is their busiest time of the year. Closed during August, once they reopen in September, the slots are in high demand. The year's tour schedule is usually released in the first week of January. Last week, I was told to send in my application for next September. They'll said they'll process it once the schedule is released.

10-08-2011, 07:28 AM	#10
a1exander Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Johannesburg RSA Ferrari Life Posts: 768 Name: Peter	Thank you for the pics. Sounds like the two of you had a memorable visit. I must confess that I am in love and covet another mans car. David I shall admit it publicly......your car is magnificent. Pity she is there and I am here or now that you are about to step into a boxer I surely would have made a move.

10-08-2011, 07:47 AM	#11
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	Another great place is the new Maserati showroom in Modena at the factory. What a surprise that was! We were in Modena September 2007 the day the new showroom was to be opened to the press before to the public. There were crews setting up a stage for the event as well as world-based camera crews setting up their equipment for the day/evening there. I spoke with a guard and informed him we were from the US sent to see the facility! He let us in, and there was only one other couple there. What a treat. Very impressive. I'd encourage folks to see that as well.

10-08-2011, 09:41 AM	#12
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,599 Name: Ed	and don't forget the lambo and pagani factories just around the corner either! Everything you know is wrong Stop chatting and start living the ferrarilife!

10-08-2011, 10:35 AM	#13
Bill Owner Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Los Angeles Ferrari Life Posts: 125 Name: Bill	Thank you for sharing! So great that you had you son with you, I'm sure he will have fun telling his friends about it. cheers, Bill

10-10-2011, 01:08 AM	#14
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	David Great pics and memories. Reminds me of FLED5 and from your picture your hotel room could only have been a couple doors from mine when we stayed there. What a view to wake up to, the iconic Ferrari gates... sounds like you packed a lot in to your trip. I hope the 20 yrs wait did not disappoint! Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

10-11-2011, 10:34 AM	#15
Vitalone Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Amsterdam Ferrari Life Posts: 638	Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen. It was a trip of a lifetime, way exceeded expectations, the 20 year wait was worth it! Indeed we stayed at the Planet Hotel, great view over the factory, excellent breakfast. The magic of Maranello adds to the allure of Ferrari. David Current: 308 Michalone and a few 911's Past: 246gt, 512BB and a few 911's

10-11-2011, 10:42 AM	#16
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,255	http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/at...fast-gtb-joins There's something wonderful about that 'breakfast table, Ferrari in the background' photo David. Can't put my finger on it, but it makes me feel like getting in the 360 and just driving back to Italy... Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

10-11-2011, 11:02 AM	#17
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	Vitalone Did you meet MR. Fregni at the front desk at the Planet Hotel?

10-12-2011, 07:30 AM	#20
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,613	Mr. Fregni is the manager of the hotel.

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