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
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...
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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...
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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
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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.
Hey Nev, did you see Schumacher et al. open that new Ferrari merchandise store at the airport? They were due to do it @ 7pm and my flight out was just after 5pm. Did consider missing the flight but that would have been a bit sad.
Oh and I hope you bought some of that parmesan from the Pannini farm. It's just fantastic! :fatbastardgraphic:
Shame about the traffic; we saw it on the way to the airport and it looked pretty bad.
I've never eaten so much in my life either- it just kept on coming and there was me thinking that an Italian diet was healthy- you could have fooled me. My favourite was a simple dish of prosciutto, pamersan shavings and balsamic vinegar. Delightful.
We do need to find out how to get that parmesan cheese over here. Can't believe how cheap it was- £10 a kilo and really moist with an intense nutty flavour. God, I'm starting to sound like that Lloyd Grossfcuk character so I'll stop there.
Anyone who has the chance to do one of these, go for it. And don't eat on the plane.
PS Nev- you have mail.
I've never eaten so much in my life either- it just kept on coming and there was me thinking that an Italian diet was healthy- you could have fooled me. My favourite was a simple dish of prosciutto, pamersan shavings and balsamic vinegar. Delightful.
We do need to find out how to get that parmesan cheese over here. Can't believe how cheap it was- £10 a kilo and really moist with an intense nutty flavour. God, I'm starting to sound like that Lloyd Grossfcuk character so I'll stop there.
Anyone who has the chance to do one of these, go for it. And don't eat on the plane.
PS Nev- you have mail.
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