I'm in Maranello guys- seen loads of Enzo's
Discussion
Just had to post this. I'm in the hotel in Maranello after the first day of the factory tour. One hell of a day if you're into Ferrari!
We arrived here last night and transferred to the factory by bus this morning. Things started to get interesting when we crossed over the Fiorano circuit and saw a red Enzo out testing; they got hotter still wen we saw another one driving down the main street with no numberplates- wicked stuff.
The factory itself was smaller than I expected and not as modern as I expected either. We saw the assembly lines for for all the cars including the Enzo. They let us crawl all over one of them and up close this is a bloody impressive car. It's not pretty, the shape doesn't flow but it's imposing and has real presence. I want one. Saw a total of 12 or so, in various states of build. On the line, all but one was red. Saw a yellow one come down the main street this afternoon.
Huge majority of the cars being produced by the factory are 360's, handful of 575M's and a couple of 456M's. Amazing seeing them built- all the components are on a trolley that accompanies the car down the line until it's empty and the car complete.
Saw Luca di Montezemelo (sic?)and Pierro Ferrari at the Cavallino restaurant- they were having lunch in a private room off the main dining area. They stopped for a photo opportunity with us- we're mates now
I'm amazed these guys get anything done since every hour or so you can hear F1 engines start up and the cars start howling around the circuit. This is pretty electrifying and will stop any conversation in it's tracks. We saw a Minardi testing there today which suggests that the rumour regarding Minardi running Ferrri engines next year is true. Don't know who was driving the car, but they were pants. In 6 laps or so he missed the apex six times.
What an amazing place this is!
>>> Edited by 456mgt on Tuesday 3rd September 15:58
We arrived here last night and transferred to the factory by bus this morning. Things started to get interesting when we crossed over the Fiorano circuit and saw a red Enzo out testing; they got hotter still wen we saw another one driving down the main street with no numberplates- wicked stuff.
The factory itself was smaller than I expected and not as modern as I expected either. We saw the assembly lines for for all the cars including the Enzo. They let us crawl all over one of them and up close this is a bloody impressive car. It's not pretty, the shape doesn't flow but it's imposing and has real presence. I want one. Saw a total of 12 or so, in various states of build. On the line, all but one was red. Saw a yellow one come down the main street this afternoon.
Huge majority of the cars being produced by the factory are 360's, handful of 575M's and a couple of 456M's. Amazing seeing them built- all the components are on a trolley that accompanies the car down the line until it's empty and the car complete.
Saw Luca di Montezemelo (sic?)and Pierro Ferrari at the Cavallino restaurant- they were having lunch in a private room off the main dining area. They stopped for a photo opportunity with us- we're mates now
I'm amazed these guys get anything done since every hour or so you can hear F1 engines start up and the cars start howling around the circuit. This is pretty electrifying and will stop any conversation in it's tracks. We saw a Minardi testing there today which suggests that the rumour regarding Minardi running Ferrri engines next year is true. Don't know who was driving the car, but they were pants. In 6 laps or so he missed the apex six times.
What an amazing place this is!
>>> Edited by 456mgt on Tuesday 3rd September 15:58
KING JAMMY strikes again!!!!!! 
quote:
Dazren - Your Ferrari dealer will be happy to organise a tour of the factory for you. If you turn up unannounced (as soooo many people do) they'll have no choice but to turn you away.
Unfortunately I can only afford one supercar (don't cry for me....) and I opted for the german opposition.
DAZ
Just got back this evening. Went to the Maserati factory in Modena today, which compares very favourably with the Ferrari factory. It's a more modern facility & the car looks less of an effort to build. They were constructing the assembly line for the 4 door car to be produced later this year while we were there. Modena is a really lovely place and I've resolved to come touring this way next year in a Ferrari; sorry it has to be done 
It was the FOC in my case. These trips are open to FOC and Prancing Horse Register members (several of both on my tour, total about 30 people) There was an application form in the monthly magazine middle of last year. These events are usually over-subscibed so the completed application forms are picked out of a hat. I tried to get on the October 2001 tour, failed, and asked for my application to be put into the next pools for April & Sept 2002 tours. So in the end it's a case of 'fire & forget'. Cost is ~£600 per person which sounds a lot, but it's all in; flights, hotel, transfers and enough food & alcohol to last you the rest of the week. Dancing girls etc. is your cost.
A fantastic trip- really exceeded my expectations and I recommend it to anyone. Totally shagged now mind...
quote:
Out of curiosity, who organised your trip?
It was the FOC in my case. These trips are open to FOC and Prancing Horse Register members (several of both on my tour, total about 30 people) There was an application form in the monthly magazine middle of last year. These events are usually over-subscibed so the completed application forms are picked out of a hat. I tried to get on the October 2001 tour, failed, and asked for my application to be put into the next pools for April & Sept 2002 tours. So in the end it's a case of 'fire & forget'. Cost is ~£600 per person which sounds a lot, but it's all in; flights, hotel, transfers and enough food & alcohol to last you the rest of the week. Dancing girls etc. is your cost.
A fantastic trip- really exceeded my expectations and I recommend it to anyone. Totally shagged now mind...
I'm new to this forum so fogive me if I go over old stuff! Thanks for the Factory tour review Kevin, it brings back memories from when I went with the FOC in 2000. We were there the weekend that Schuey clinched the title, it is definately "a must do" trip. We managed to bribe the coach driver on the Sunday night we arrived to take us into Maranello town to join in the celebrations. I'm a member of the PHR (can't afford a Ferrari....yet) and attend most track days and other events so might bump into you at some point.
Kev,
Nice one, top stuff, superb!! Totally jealous. I was in Maranello in June - lovely place (great pizza's), fantastic roads (I was chased by a local in an old GTA!) great stuff. Couldn't get into the factory but did the other bits - lunch in the Cavalino at 1pm. Parked the Tiv out front, the loved it!! Did you check out the museum? Top place, 250GTO's, 275GTB's lovely.
Nice one, top stuff, superb!! Totally jealous. I was in Maranello in June - lovely place (great pizza's
), fantastic roads (I was chased by a local in an old GTA!) great stuff. Couldn't get into the factory but did the other bits - lunch in the Cavalino at 1pm. Parked the Tiv out front, the loved it!! Did you check out the museum? Top place, 250GTO's, 275GTB's lovely.quote:
Parked the Tiv out front, the loved it!!
Hey Trackdemon- glad you had a good time there too! Not surprised they loved the Tiv- this is Supercar Central after all. By the time I went round the museum it was late afternoon and I'd OD'd on cars. If I hadn't been told that the ante-room with the 250's was there I'd have missed it. Was more taken, with morbid curiosity, at the tat they were selling in the shop. For a company that is so defensive of it's brand, they don't half lend their name to some rubbish- pennants, king size ashtrays, beer mats. Sheesh
Just got back myself !! Went on the same trip as Kevin, but Kevin went on Mon/Tues/Wed, and the 2nd lot of us went on Wed/Thurs/Fri. God, I've never eaten so much food in 3 days before in my life ..... !!! And surely unlimitless good red wine has GOT to be a bad thing .....
A reply to a previous quesion, in both the Ferrari and Maser factory's you're not allowed to take any type of camera into the factory itself (spoilsports !)
A reply to a previous quesion, in both the Ferrari and Maser factory's you're not allowed to take any type of camera into the factory itself (spoilsports !)
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