Factory visit - worth the effort?

[jez-m]

Hi all

I'm heading down to Italy a week on Sat for a wedding (Lake Maggiore in the north). We're driving down and making a holiday of it.

I've always wanted to visit the Ferrari factory, and the wife has gracefully said we can plan a route that takes in Modena (and Sant' Agata, though she doesn't know that yet). I'm feeling a bit guilty about this now as it's another day in the car and a day 'out' of our holiday, just to satisfy me.

So my question is, is it worth the effort? Other than the factory walls, what will I see that I can't see at Egham or the Kings Road on a good day? I've loved Ferrari and Lamborghini since I was tiny but I don't want to end up feeling like I've wasted a day and tested the patience of my dearly beloved (who I expect will have already been tested to breaking point crossing the Alps...).

And if I do go, will a day be enough to take in Ferrari, Lamborghini and possibly Pagani?

What shall I do folks?

Cheers
Jez

[razbox]

The Ferarri museum near the factory is quite good - quite a few special cars + they had about 10 Formula 1 cars there when I went a few months ago. http://www.galleriaferrari.com

Not sure you can get into the factory unless you're picking up a car.

[MitchT]

razbox said:

Not sure you can get into the factory unless you're picking up a car.

The FOC does tours but I don't know how an individual would get on and I very much doubt that turning up at the gate unannounced would result in access being given.

[DIW35]

Pagani definitely needs to be booked in advance, and they charge for their tours these days too.

[jez-m]

Thanks for the comments so far.

I guess what I'm asking is, booking requirements aside etc, is a trip to Modena worth the effort? Is seeing those 'hallowed gates' actually all that? I'm an enthusiast, not an owner, so am not expecting any VIP treatment or behind the scenes tours.

Cheers.

[fade2grey]

Modena is a lovely town in it's own right.. it's worth going anyway.

I've just come back from the maserati factory - I drove my gransport down there & booked in with them in advance (free). All the production lines (for everyone I guess) were stopped as it was the start of August but was still worth doing the tour.. lots to see. My GF enjoyed it as much as me.

We did Galleria ferrari too but was a bit disapointed there.. basically unless you are looking to see something specific it's just a showroom. (just IMHO of course) & you are likely to have seen much of it before.

If you like your classics.. I can really recommend the schlumpf collection in Alsace (http://www.collection-schlumpf.com/en/schlumpf/) on the way through

[AKA8]

I've done Maranello a few times in the last 5 years or so because my family aren't far away. It's definitely interesting, and if you are there during the week, you can see the test mules driving about if you're lucky.

Galleria Ferrari is hit or miss, but it has improved substantially since the refurb last year (I think it was last year - I went in July and it was impressive). Sometimes you can see the F1 testing on Fiorano if you are close to the bridge leaving Maranello.

It's worth a visit, there's a good atmosphere in the town, and if you happen to be there on a Sunday, you can watch the GP in the town square on a big screen with the locals and the fanatics.

It's a few hours from the lakes though, just so you know

[Happy-Snapper]

well worth Ferrari ive just been

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

some fotos if you want some pointers of what to expect.

no chance getting in the factory its tighter than a ducks butt.... worth sitting outside the gate's on the off chance of a spot..

Lambo gallery was shut couple weeks ago as they where on holiday worth ringing them to make yourself non.

cheers

HP

[Adam T]

DIW35 said:

Pagani definitely needs to be booked in advance, and they charge for their tours these days too.

Since when have they charged and needed to be booked??

[apn]

Adam T said:

DIW35 said:

Pagani definitely needs to be booked in advance, and they charge for their tours these days too.

Since when have they charged and needed to be booked??

I did Pagani in November and there wasn't a charge.

Have you thought about Ducati?

[DIW35]

Adam T said:

DIW35 said:

Pagani definitely needs to be booked in advance, and they charge for their tours these days too.

Since when have they charged and needed to be booked??

We went last year without a problem, but when I phoned to book for a visit this year, they referred me to an outside comapny that now handle tour bookings. That's when I was informed that there is a charge, and that the tour only lasts about 3/4 hour.

Very different from the experience we had last year, where we were given the tour by Horacio Pagani himself, and spent some considerable time inside the factory.

[jez-m]

Thanks for the input everyone. Still undecided to be honest. Think I will let the journey down and the weather dictate. If it's good up in the Alps, then I think a day spent hooning will be more rewarding that a day spent fantasising!