A little history
It is perhaps no coincidence that the automobile industry flourished here, in this region that originated along an ancient Roman road, the Via Emilia, after which it is named. This straight axis, opened in 187 B.C. by the consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, crossed the Padanian plain and made it possible to quickly connect Piacenza to Rimini. Its route corresponds to the current SS9, which connects most of the towns in the area and is dotted with automobile industries.
The genesis of the automotive industry in Emilia-Romagna can be traced back to the agricultural vocation of this land, which is mainly made up of vast fertile plains and areas of low hills. The end of the 19th century was marked by innovations in the automotive sector, and the farmers of Emilia-Romagna, interested in its applications to agricultural machinery, gradually turned into skilled mechanics. This was the beginning of a tradition that would continue throughout the following century and give rise to great houses that would become famous in the automotive world.Ferrari
"I think the most important victory is the one yet to come". This famous phrase by Enzo Ferrari sums up his state of mind.
Born in Modena in 1898, Enzo Ferrari was fascinated by cars from an early age. His father, the owner of a small mechanical workshop, took him to Bologna to attend an event of the Coppa Florio, an Italian motor racing event. Enzo was only ten years old at the time, but this experience left a lasting impression on him and, after the First World War, he began a career as a racing driver for Alfa Romeo. In 1929, he founded Scuderia Ferrari, a sports company, a subsidiary of the manufacturer, which had drivers racing at the wheel of Alfa Romeo; he himself retired from racing in 1931 and gradually redirected himself towards the manufacturer's activity. Enzo had a passion for mechanics, he considered that "engines have a soul" and was constantly looking for innovation. The break with Alfa Romeo took place in 1939: Enzo Ferrari could no longer bear to be restrained in his work and founded his own workshop. But he had to wait until after the war to be able to design his first car: in 1947 the Ferrari 125 S was presented. The first victory in Formula 1 came in 1951, and brought Ferrari into international competition where the scuderia
(the team) won countless successes, with prestigious drivers such as Alain Prost, Gilles Villeneuve and, of course, Michael Schumacher.The company also worked with major Modenese bodywork designers (Scaglietti, Fantuzzi) and designers (Gioachino Colombo, Sergio Pininfarina) to create vehicles with elegant and aerodynamic lines, featuring the rampant cavallino
, the famous emblem of the rearing black horse on a yellow background. But, by the way, where does this logo come from? The black horse appeared on the coat of arms of the Baracca, an aristocratic family from the Ravenna region. Francesco Baracca, a member of this lineage, had painted it on the cabin of his plane. This war hero, who fell in battle in 1918, had been one of the greatest aviators in the Italian army during the First World War. A few years later, Enzo Ferrari, then a racecar driver for Alfa Romeo, met the Count and Countess Baracca, Francesco's parents. The Countess Paolina Baracca gave him the symbol used by her son so that Enzo could put it on his cars, claiming that it would bring him good luck. Enzo Ferrari uses it for the first time in 1932 during the 24 hours of Spa and wins the victory. He definitively adopts the rearing black horse and opts for a canary yellow background, the colour of his city, Modena. And it is precisely to Modena that one must go to discover the world of Ferrari, to the MEF - Casa Museo Enzo Ferrariand to the Museo Ferrari in Maranello, adjacent to the factory and historic headquarters of the car manufacturer since 1943. Nearby is the Fiorano circuit, Ferrari's private test track, which can be visited on board a shuttle bus chartered by the Maranello museum.Lamborghini
The history of the famous bull brand is also inseparable from that of its founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, who was born in 1916 in the province of Ferrara and died in 1993.
As a child of farmers, he grew up in the countryside and quickly developed a passion for mechanics. After the Second World War, he founded a tractor manufacturing company; in a country devastated by war and in full economic recovery, demand was strong and Lamborghini established itself on the agricultural machinery market.
Ferruccio Lamborghini soon becomes a wealthy man and is able to satisfy his love for luxury cars. He acquires cars of major brands, especially Ferraris, but these cars have recurring clutch problems. He met Enzo Ferrari and suggested that he improve the system, but Enzo Ferrari told him to go back to his tractors. Ferruccio's response was not long in coming: since the market could not meet his expectations, he decided to go into car manufacturing. In 1963, he founded Automobili Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese, distinguished by the logo of the bull, his astrological sign. Ferruccio also enjoyed bullfighting and a visit to a ranch near Seville had impressed him greatly. The names of his car models are also inspired by the bullfighting world.
The Lamborghini factory is still located in Sant'Agata Bolognese and the buildings house the MUDETEC - Museo Lamborghini, which exhibits the most representative cylinders of the famous company. It is also possible to book in advance a guided tour of the factory. To learn more about the biography of its founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, you can visit the Museo Ferruccio Lamborghini at Funo di Argelato.Ducati
In 1926 in Bologna, in the city of the father of radio Guglielmo Marconi, three brothers, Adriano, Bruno and Marcello Ducati, founded Radio Brevetti Ducati, a company specialising in the manufacture of equipment to improve radio transmissions; Adriano, a brilliant physics student, had just patented a short-wave transmitter. The company grew rapidly and, ten years after its foundation, had a thousand employees. It diversified its activities and manufactured radio and photographic equipment, calculators and razors.
After the Second World War, in response to the company's new mobility needs, the Ducati brothers introduced the Cucciolo, a small auxiliary engine that could be adapted to all types of bicycles. The success is immediate and extends far beyond the Italian borders. A further step was taken in 1949 with the creation of the Ducati 60, their first motorcycle. But it was Fabio Taglioni, who joined the company in 1954, who made Ducati one of the great names in motorcycling. The engineer gave Ducati a sporting orientation: he invented the Ducati Gran Sport Mariana, the company's first racing motorcycle, which won several competitions. He is also responsible for mechanical innovations such as the desmodromic engine, which increases the performance of the car and allows Ducati to compete with the biggest names in motorcycle racing.
Today, Ducati is renowned for its carefully designed road bikes, with models such as the Monster and Ducati 916, as well as in competition (MotoGP, World Superbike, etc.): in 2007 Australian Casey Stoner won the World Championship title on his Desmosedici. The company was bought in 2012 by the Audi Group.
Borgo Panigale, on the outskirts of Bologna, is the historic headquarters of the company: there you can visitthe Ducati Museum and book a guided tour of the adjacent factory in advance.Maserati
Another family history is that of the seven Maserati brothers: sons of a railway worker with a passion for mechanics, each one of them has had a hand in the history of the company, founded by Alfieri Maserati in 1914. The Maserati workshop first specialises in motor racing and is a sports trainer for Isotta-Fraschini. Alfieri, who is a mechanical engineer, participates himself in various races as a driver. In 1926 he decided to become a car manufacturer; the emblem of the group, a trident (in reference to the Neptune statue in Bologna), was designed by his brother Mario. But Maserati lost its strong man in 1932: Alfieri died at the age of 44 and the company was taken over by his three brothers Ettore, Ernesto and Bindo, who were unable to resolve major financial difficulties despite the company's commercial and sporting successes. They are forced to sell their shares to the Orsi family, a Modenese family of industrialists, and Maserati moves from Bologna to Modena. Then the company passes from hand to hand: taken over by Citroën, Chrysler and Ferrari, it is now a subsidiary of the Fiat-Chrysler group.
Maserati opens the doors of its showroom and factory in Modena by reservation (info and reservation: [email protected]). Still near Modena, the Umberto Panini private collection presents around twenty antique models, among the most representative of Maserati's production.In the heart of the Motor Valley
Alongside the museums dedicated to the greatest houses in Engine Land, we strongly recommend a visit to one of the factories: it is impossible to remain insensitive to the spectacle of the assembly lines where mechanics and machines work meticulously, in a timed rhythm, around cars elevated to the rank of works of art. A visit that constitutes an intense moment, even for someone who is not an automobile enthusiast. You can choose between five factories: Lamborghini, Ducati, Maserati, Pagani and Dallara (only Ferrari wants to keep all its manufacturing secrets!). Reservation is compulsory and it is forbidden to film or take pictures.
The circuits of international fame organize various activities: guided tours of the infrastructures, driving courses, kart racing, track tours at the wheel of a sports car... From west to east, along the Motor Valley, you can find the autodrome of Varano, near Parma, the autodrome of Modena, the circuit of Imola and the autodrome of Misano, not far from Rimini.
Two associations can help you in the organization of your trip to discover the great car manufacturers: Motorvalley and Motorsite. They are both very professional and their websites are a mine of information to help you plan your tour.
The Motorvalley association (motorvalley.it) works to enhance the value of Motorland. The website lists all the tourist offers with the possibility to book online. It also offers a series of activities: you can, for example, enjoy the privilege of driving a Ferrari or a Lamborghini around the Modena racetrack! Finally, there is a complete calendar of events related to the sector, such as the Motor Valley Fest that takes place every year in May in Modena.
The Motorsite association (motorsite.it), in partnership with Modenatur, offers visits, activities and even hotel stays in Motorland. The offer is plentiful, and you can also contact them to organize your personalized trip according to your desires and budget. The staff is very responsive and takes care of hotel and museum reservations. Note that the offer is not limited to the automobile sector and that you can combine it with a visit to a parmesan or balsamic vinegar producer! Motorsite has also created the Motor Valley Passport: each time you visit a Motor Valley site, you will receive a stamp; the accumulation of these stamps entitles you to discounts and gadgets in the colours of the big car manufacturers. A travel diary for enthusiasts!
