San Marino, January 10, 2001 |
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Historic Racing |
In 1976, Violati acquired his second Ferrari, 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione s/n 2025GT. One year
later, he started historic racing together with his friend Giulio Dubbini (?), another well-known Ferrari collector.
Aside of racing his 250 GTO and the 250 GT SWB, Violati started to collect an impressive collection of Ferrari
road cars and today sometimes even owns several examples of an particular model. His historic racing efforts
lead to the foundation of the Scuderia Campidoglio Motori, named after the Michelangelo-designed Piazza del
Campidoglio on the capital hill in Violati’s native city Rome. Between 1979 and 1984, Fabrizio Violati even
took part in modern motor racing when his Scuderia Bellancauto entered three 512 BBLMs (s/n 28601, s/n
34157 and s/n 35529) in various European events. But historic racing remained Violati’s major passion,
granting him and his beloved 250 GTO the title of the 1985 European FIA Historic Champion. In the late
1980’s, at the peak of the Ferrari hausse, the Scuderia Campidoglio Motori was a regular participant in events
like the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring where Violati usually organized an incredible turnout of
Ferrari race cars from his own collection as well as from the stables of friends who joined his Scuderia in
historic racing. |
The foundation of Collezione Maranello Rosso |
At that time, Fabrizio Violati’s Ferrari collection — which includes about 50 Ferrari — was spread over several
garages in Rome. Violati wished to present his impressive cars to the public to honor Enzo Ferrari whom he
deeply admires. Thus, the Collezione Maranello Rosso was founded in San Marino on July 26, 1990. On
December 1st, 1990 the museum was opened to the public, then located in the old part of San Marino city.
The premises only allowed one part of the entire collection to be displayed, and so the Collezione Maranello
Rosso moved to a more spacious estate some years later. The collection soon became famous among
Ferraristi all over the world, and the 90 minutes drive from Maranello to San Marino turned institutional for
many ”Ferrari pilgrims” on visit in Ferrari’s home town. |
New premises since 2000 |
On February 18, 2000 — Enzo Ferrari’s 102nd birthday — the Collezione Maranello Rosso moved again to
new premises: A totally new building in Falciano now houses the precious cars and offers sufficient space
inside and outside (large parking area suitable for coaches!). The museum is divided in several sections:
Close to the entrance, there’s a room dedicated solely to the 250 GT family. The next, very large room
houses various Ferrari road cars. In a third room, one finds several Ferrari competition cars — the fact that
Violati’s F40 is on display in that room as well symbolizes the derivation of this model from competition cars.
Upstairs, the visitors have the possibility to view a large collection of Ferrari memorabilia, which are primarily
dedicated to the man Enzo Ferrari. The entire museum is held in a rather dark atmosphere in which spot
lights and mirrors create a unique setting. Unfortunately, the cars are protected by massive barriers, but that’s
the tribute for showing the valuable cars publicly. Interestingly, the most precious car of the collection, the
250 GTO ’62 s/n 3851GT, is parked on a slightly lifted display table, but closely accessible… The museum
also includes a memorabilia shop in which one may buy various merchandising stuff like scale models,
posters, magazines etc. On many items one may find the Collezione Maranello Rosso’s logo which
symbolizes the oval ”mouth” of Violati’s 250 GTO and the triple-louvers of his 250 GT LWB Berlinetta ”Tour de
France”. Another very remarkable fact is that all cars in the collection are fully functional and operational.
Violati has often loaned some of his cars to friends and celebrities to drive them in the Mille Miglia Storica and
similar events. For example, actress Ornella Muti joined Fabrizio’s daughter Barbara some years ago for the
Mille Miglia and almost caused the crowd in Brescia to storm the podium during the starting ceremony… |
Contact |
The Collezione Maranello Rosso includes too many cars to describe them here individually. One more time,
the photos in the galleries say more than a thousand words anyway. But one may say that a visit to the
Collezione is a ”must” for the real Ferrarista during a tour of the region. For more specific information like
opening hours etc., please contact Sandra Lodi Vetrano at… |
Andreas Birner |