Museo Ferrari Maranello | Ferrari Museum Maranello

The Maranello Museo Ferrari is a Car-Lover’s Heaven:

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

I love the sight of Ferrari cars but I don’t usually get overly-excited about them. Their price tags put them totally out of range of any toys that I may want so I don’t think about them at all. However, a visit to the Museo Ferrari in Maranello got my pulse racing almost as fast as the Ferrari cars. I’ve never imagined myself being in such close proximity to so many of these sleek, seductive, speed machines, and all under the one roof. When you visit the Museo Ferrari, it’s not hard to fall head over heels in love with Ferrari cars.

Maranello

Maranello is a town in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. This region is traditionally famous for its gourmet foods, but it also home to some of the most sought-after cars in the world. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, De Tomaso and Ducati all have their bases in the Emilia-Romagna region.

It is difficult to argue with the “Discover Ferrari & Pavarotti Land” promoters when they say that Emilia-Romagna is a region for “slow food and fast cars”. Maranello is of course the home to Ferrari and has been since the 1940s.

The Ferrari Treatment

From Bologna we travel on the Discover Ferrari & Pavarotti Land shuttle bus to Maranello. You know when you’ve arrived at the Ferrari site as there’s red everywhere and the place buzzes with excitement. Staff in their red Ferrari overalls meet the bus and accompany us to the reception area.

Red Arch at Museo Ferrari

The red arch outside the Museo Ferrari generates added atmosphere and gives visitors the sensation of being at a grand prix start/finish point. The set-up is very professional and sets the mood for our visit. After registering at the reception, we have free reign to explore the museum.

Museo Ferrari

The Ferrari Museum tells the history of Ferrari, both past and present, through their various exhibitions. The Prancing Horse is the most successful brand as far as racing and luxury cars are concerned and there’s much for the company to boast about.

248 F1 2006 – the car that marks Schumacher’s retirement from Ferrari

Each year, the exhibitions feature a certain aspect of Ferrari’s fascinating history and achievements. During our visit, a new exhibition focuses on Ferrari’s “genius and secrets”. The exhibitions also throw the spotlight on the drivers who have won races and made history for Ferrari. Their team of genius designers and engineers have not been forgotten.

In the Hall of Fame, the winning F1 cars are on display. You can sit and watch video snippets showing the world championship races and the great Ferrari team at work.

Ferrari Hall of Fame, Maranello

Ferrari through the ages

It is fascinating to see the changing shapes and features of Ferrari cars through the ages. From the cigar-shaped bodies of the late 1940s racing cars to today’s sleeker F1 designs, the museum documents them all. Tony is more familiar and interested in the technical details of the F1s, Prototypes, etc. of the various cars. But for me, I just love seeing Ferrari’s beautiful road cars.

Admiring Ferrari road cars

One interesting fact I learned is that not all designed cars end up on the production line. Some are built just to test new features, like the amazing black and white LaFerrari car below. This one-off track-configuration LaFerrari was built in 2013 for a series of development tests.

F150 Laboratorio LaFerrari

Live the Dream

The Ferrari Museum wants visitors to live the dream and their various facilities allow people to do just that. You can actually get on the Fiorano Test Track by taking the Factory and Track Sightseeing Tour. Or, the Viale Enzo Ferrari lets visitors into the factory complex.

For €25, you can have a 7-minute spin on a Ferrari Simulator and test your pit-stop skills. If you don’t mind spending more money, the simulation challenge gets players to clock their fastest lap times. The winner gets invited to take part in the final.

Yet another live experience is to have your photo taken in a Formula One car. It costs €25 for a 20×30 size photo or €20 for a smaller one. There is no shortage of middle-aged businessmen harbouring desires to own a Ferrari car. They happily hand over their €25 so that they can see themselves in a Ferrari car.

Ferrari Store and Caffeteria

At the Caffetteria del Cavallino we take a break to catch our breath and manage to have a nice sandwich and coffee. After our snack we make track for the Ferrari shop. The cost of the Ferrari car may be prohibitive, but at least I can afford a Ferrari t-shirt.

Look of Disappointment

I must admit that the experience at the Museo Ferrari leaves you wanting a Ferrari car. At the end of our visit, Tony was hoping to drive away with this Ferrari Spider. When I told him that he is not allowed to mortgage our home or sell our other assets, he was rather disappointed.