American manufacturing, especially in the automotive industry, strives for efficiency, and has for 100 years. Just think of Henry Ford and his assembly line innovation. But many European exotic car manufacturers cling to the old, artisan style of car building -- one piece at a time. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy.
After years of working for Alfa Romeo’s race team in Modena, Italy, Enzo Ferrari opened his own shop in Maranello, under his own name, in 1943. After the end of World War II, the factory would produce the Sport 125, which won the 1947 Rome Grand Prix, and it continues to produce cars in the same location today.
The House that Enzo Built
The factory has undergone changes in the past half-century, though the quality of care and construction remains high, as does the company’s commitment to performance. In 1972, Ferrari built its own test track, next to the manufacturing plant, called the Fiorano track. Originally, it measured 3 km (1.86 miles), but in 1996, a sharp corner was replaced by a bend, which added 24 meters (78 feet) to the total length. This is where Ferrari’s Formula 1 and GT cars are put through their paces.
It’s also where Enzo Ferrari had a house, until his death in 1988, at the age of 90. The three-building compound, plus courtyard, sits in the infield.
But the race cars are no longer built alongside the street models at the original factory. In 1982, the race division got its own plant, Gestione Sportiva, beside the Fiorano track where Enzo lived. Some racing parts still come from the main facility, but the racers are assembled across the way.
Visiting the Scuderia
It’s not surprising that an appointment is required to visit Scuderia Ferrari. It may be a bit of a shocker, however, that only Ferrari owners or those invited by a Ferrari dealer can tour the hallowed grounds. There are tales of brazen Ferrari enthusiasts convincing dealers that they are, say, Porsche owners looking to upgrade to a 612, but you attempt that at your own risk.
The other way to get in is to know someone who knows someone. A determined fan can probably work the network and find an insider willing to help a fellow Ferrari cognoscenti out.
The third way to experience Ferrari on its home turf is to visit the nearby museum, Galleria Ferrari, which is open to the public. Here, you can find 40 Ferraris on display, from the earliest racers to the latest Formula 1 winners, plus examples of road cars from the company’s history.
Contact Scuderia Ferrari
If watching a Ferrari be built first-hand is your dream, it can happen, with a little patience and a lot of politeness. Contact the factory directly and ask if there is room in the schedule for you to tour the plant. They can be surprisingly accommodating at the front desk, while keeping visitors to a minimum.
Ferrari S.p.A.
Via Emilia
Est 1163
P.O.Box 589
41100 Modena (MO) Italia
Tel. +39 0536 949-111
Fax. +39 0536 949-259
