24 replies to this topic

[diego]

Will be touring Italy soon, and would like suggestions regarding automobile museums worth visiting.

[bira]

Some 9 months ago I visited the Panini collection, just outside Modena. The Paninis made their fortune from those football cards which some of you must be familiar with. Giuseppe came up with the idea, wrote the patent, and made a fortune. He and his sons were also avid lovers of cars and collected cars since the turn of the century. The cars have been carefully restructured and preserved, and Mateo - a racing driver himself - maintains the place as a museum. If I remember correctly, he's also got the largest display of Maseratis there. (He also runs a cheese factory on the premises of that farm -- so if you wander into the wrong room, beware of the smell! )

Having visited the Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari museums and/or factories, I can say the Panini one is by far the most interesting and beautiful. The place itself is just very different, and his collection of cars and various automotive-related memorabilia is amazing. Well worth the visit if you're in the area.

I'll try and find the address for you if you like...

[David McKinney]

The Alfa museum would be a must if you're into racing history (and that's what we're here for, isn't it?) and of course the Museo Carlo Biscaretti in Turin. And if you're down Mantua way you simply must pay homage at the Museo Tazio Nuvolari

[Patrick Italiano]

Museo dell'automobile at Torino:
http://www.museoauto.org/
Museo Alfa Romeo in Arese (Milan)
http://www.museoalfaromeo.com/
Galleria Ferrari in Maranello (Modena)
http://www.comune.ma....it/gallery.htm
museo Tazio Nuvolari in Mantova
http://www.tazionuvo....it/indexuk.htm

Enjoy!

[dmj]

From FIA site:


ITALY AUTOMOBILE CLUB DI VERONA
THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB IN VERONA
Via Valverde 34
37122 Verona
tel 39.045.595 333 fax 39.045.800 93 12
Open 8.00-13.00 /14.30-16.45. Closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Automobile history; 1894 Bernardi's first tricycle



CENTRO POLIFUNZIONALE FERRUCCIO LAMBORGHINI
FERRUCCIO LAMBORGHINI CENTRE
Via Statale 342
44040 Dosso (Ferrara)
Tel :39.0532.359811 fax 39.0532.359952
lamborghini.calor@interbusing
www.lamborghini.it
Open by appointment only
20 Lamborghini cars, 18 tractors, one helicopter
1966 Miura
1968 Urraco

1966 GT 400
1969 Islero

1968 Espada
1971 Countach

Library, research and educational facilities
Catering facilities



CENTRO STORICO DELLA MOTORIZZAZIONE CIVILE
HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF CIVIL MOTORING
Via di Settebagni 333
00138 Roma
Tel. 39.06.41 58 21 13 - 41 58 21 33
Open by appointment only, not on Saturdays and Sundays



CENTRO STORICO FIAT
FIAT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Via Chiabrera 20
10126 Torino
Tel. 39.xxx
Open by appointment only



COLLEZIONE UMBERTO PANINI
UMBERTO PANINI COLLECTION
via Corletto Sud 320/4
41100 Cittanova MO
Between Parma and Bologna
Tel. 39.059.510.660 fax 39.059.510. 733
info@lamaserati.com
www.lamaserati.com
Open: by appointment only, send fax two months in advance 1934 Maserati 6G34 1958 Maserati Eldorado

1936 Maserati 6GM 1961 Maserati Tipo 61

1953 Maserati 6GCS 1962 Maserati Tipo 62




FORD GRATTON MUSEO DELL'AUTOMOBILE E DELLA TECNICA
THE FORD GRATTON MUSEUM
Via Gorizia 150
34070 Farra d'Isonzo (Gorizia)
Tel. 39.0481.520 121 fax 39.048120 643
On road 351 between Gorizia and Farra d'Isonzo.
Open every working day 10.00-13.00 and by appointment, closed Sundays, closed in August
Ford cars plus many other makes and motorcycles. Reproduction of the first Ford assembly line. Radio set collection 1897 Cleveland 1918 Fiat 501

1902 Oldsmobile Curved Dash 1934 Lancia Augusta

1909 Ford T sport 1963 Taunus




FONDAZIONE MUSEO DELL'AUTOMOBILE LUIGI BONFANTI
LUIGI BONFANTI MOTOR MUSEUM
PO Box 570 Romano d?Ezzelino (VI)
Via Torino, 2
36060 Romano d?Ezzelino (VI)
Tel. 39. 04.24.513.690 fax 39. 04.21.513.746
bonfanti@nsoft.it
www.museobonfanti.veneto.it
3 km north of Bassano
Open all year round 10.00-12.00 - 14.30-18.30. Closed Mondays
New car exhibition on a different theme every six months
Library, research and educational facilities



GALLERIA FERRARI
GALLERIA FERRARI
Via Dino Ferrari, 43
41053 Maranello MO
Tel. 39.0536.943 204 fax 39.0536.949 714
Open 9.30-12.30 - 15.00-18.00 Closed Mondays



GHIA COLLECTION
GHIA COLLECTION
Via Agostino da Montefeltro, 5
10134 Torino
Tel. 39.011.3190033 fax 39.011.31 00 466
Open by appointment only
14 cars with Ghia bodies



IFAS MUSEUM
IFAS MUSEUM
Corso Giulio Cesare, 202
10110 Torino
Tel. 39.011.2054222
Open daily 09.00-12.00 - 15.00-19.00, closed Sunday
31 cars, 25 coaches 1908 Fiat-Ansaldi 1921 Ceirano

1913 De-Dion-Bouton 1924 Diatto

1913 Nazzaro




IL VITTORIALE DEGLI ITALIANI
IL VITTORIALE
Via Vittoriale
25083 Gardone Riviera (Brescia)
Tel. 39.0365.20130 fax 39.0365.22 352
On the shore of lake Garda, 35 km from Brescia
Open 09.00-12.30 - 14.00-18.00, summer 8.30-20.00
Dedicated to Gabriele d'Annunzio



MUSEO BERNARDI
BERNARDI MUSEUM
Università di Padova, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica
Via Venezia 1
35131 Padova
Tel. 39.049.82 76 773 fax 39.049.82 76 785
Open Monday to Friday 09.00-12.00
1894 Bernardi's second tricycle; 1880/1882 atmospheric engines; Bernardi?s first gasoline engine



MUSEO COLLEZIONE DI QUATTRORUOTE
QUATTRORUOTE MOTOR MUSEUM
Editoriale Domus
Via Achille Grandi 5-7
20089 Rozzano (MI)
Tel. 39.02.82472345 fax 39.02.82472519
Robutti@edidomus.it
www.quattroruote.it
South of Milano Tangenziale Ovest, next to the A7 autostrada
Open 5 Sundays / year or by appointment
Collection of landmark cars from all over the world


1923 Lancia Lambda 1939 Bugatti 57

1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 1955 Lancia Aurelia B 20 IV

1938 Fiat Topolino 1972 Abarth Formula Italia



MUSEO DELL'AUTOMOBILE CARLO BISCARETTI DI RUFFIA
CARLO BISCARETTI DI RUFFIA MOTOR MUSEUM
Corso Unità d'Italia, 40
10126 Torino
Tel.39.011.677666 fax 39.011.6647148
museoauto@libero.it www.museoauto.org
Open every day 10.00-18.30 Closed 25 and 26 December and 1st January
More tahn 170 cars, 80 makes, 8 countries. From 1854 to 1980, more than 40 engines and chassis
1854 Bordino steam landau 1929 Isotta Fraschini 8A

1899 Fiat 4HP 1934 Alfa Romeo 2300

1907 Itala Peking to Paris 1948 Cisitalia 202 by Pininfarina

Library and research facilities
Catering facilities



MUSEO DELL'AUTOMOBILE DI SAN MARTINO
SAN MARTINO MUSEUM OF THE AUTOMOBILE
Via Barbieri 12
42018 San Martino in Rio (Reggio Emilia)
Motorway A 22 and A 1 crossing
Tel. & Fax. 39.0522.636133
www.museodellauto.it
museo@museodellauto.it
Open Friday evenings, first weekend of every month, and by appointment
1910 Zedel 10HP 1938 Lancia Aprilia

1920 Itala 50 1961 Alfa Romeo Giuletta

1927 Ansaldo 4H 1961 Jaguar XK




MUSEO DELLE COMUNICAZIONI LUCIA E FRANCESCA
LUCIA AND FRANCESCA COMMUNICATION MUSEUM
Via Fabio Filzi 33
20032 Cormano (MI)
Tel. 39.0335.840.5192 / 39.02.313109 fax 39.02.3360.8331
Open by appointment only
1893 Benz 1932 Alfa Romeo – Pininfarina body

1929 Lancia Lambda 1935 Alfa Romeo Giuletta

1935 Lancia Augusta 1997 Ferrari F355




MUSEO DI AUTO E MOTO D'EPOCA
MUSEUM OF HISTORICAL CARS AND MOTORCYCLES
29020 Grazzano-Visconti (Piacenza)
14 km from Piacenzza
Tel. 39.0523.870 170
Open March to October 9.30-12.30 - 14.00-19.00; November 9.30-12.00 Closed December, January, February
About 50 cars, 50 motorcycles and bicycles, Fiat predominates
1927 Fiat 501 Torpedo 1954 Jaguar

1933 Fiat Balilla 1960 Fiat 600

1937 Fiat 500 Topolino 1969 Lancia Flavia




MUSEO EUROPEO DEI TRASPORTI OGLIARI
EUROPEAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM
21020 Ranco (Varese) - (Lago Maggiore)
Tel. 39.0331.976614
Open 10.00-12.00 - 15.00-17.00 Closed Mondays. Free entrance
Buses, trams, railway engines



MUSEO MARIO RIGHINI
MARIO RIGHINI MUSEUM
Via Nino Bixio 12
41013 Castelfranco Emilia (MO)
Tel. 39.051.733.169 fax 39.051.733.309
Open by appointment only



MUSEO NAZIONALE DEI TRASPORTI
NATIONAL TRANSPORT MUSEUM
Via del Canaletto
19126 La Spezia
Tel. 39.0187.522 511 fax 39.0187.51 68 32
Open by appointment only
Buses, trolleybuses & trams



MUSEO NAZIONALE DELLA SCIENZA E DELLA TECNOLOGIA - LEONARDO DA VINCI
LEONARDO DA VINCI SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL MUSEUM
Via San Vittore 21
20123 Milano
Underground station Sant' Ambrogio. In the 16th century Monastero Olivetano dei Frati Benedettini
Tel. 39.02.48 555 410 fax 39.02.48 01 00 16
www.museoscienza.org
Open Tuesday to Friday 9.30-17.00, Saturday and Sunday 9.30-18.30 Closed Mondays
Transport department within the science museum
1883 Triciclo Bernardi 1925 Fiat 509

1932 Alfa Romeo 8 cyl. Zagato
1960 Fiat 600




MUSEO NICOLIS
NICOLIS MOTOR MUSEUM
Viale Postumia
37069 Villafranca di Verona
Tel. 39.045.6303289 fax 39.045.7979493
www.museonicolis.com
museonicolis@museonicolis.com
Open: 10.00-18.00 Closed on Mondays
Collection of classic cars and motorcycles
1884 Bernardi?s motrice Pia 1930 Ansaldo 22

1923 Alfa Romeo RL 1938 Lancia Astura

1929 Isotta Fraschini 8 AS




MUSEO PIERO TARUFFI
PIERO TARUFFI MUSEUM
Piazza S. Agostino
01022 Bagnoregio (Viterbo)
Telo. 39.0761 760039 fax: 39.0761 914894
museotaruffi@libero.it
www.tuscianews.net/taruffi
25 km from Viterbo, 15 km from Orvieto
Open: week-ends and holidays 10.00-13.00 – 14.30-18.00, on other days by appointment
Documents and photos concerning the pilot + cars from other museums, on loan, changed periodically
Library, research and educational facilities



MUSEO STANGUELLINI
STANGUELLINI MUSEUM
via Emilia Est 756
41100 Modena
Tel. 39.059.361105 fax: 39.059.374845
info@stanguellini.it
www.stanguellini.it
Open 8.30-13.00 – 14.30-18.30 Closed Christmas and New Year
Stanguellini cars mainly
1953 Bialbero Monoposto 1953 Barchetta 750 Sport

1959 Formula Junior Delfino 1957 750 Bialbero Sport

1961 Formula Junior 1963 Colibri record car




MUSEO STORICO ALFA ROMEO
ALFA ROMEO MOTOR MUSEUM
Centro Direzionale Alfa Romeo
Viale Alfa Romeo
20020 Arese (Milano)
Tel. 39.02/93 92 81 11 fax 39.02/93 15 564
15 km NW of Milano
Open Monday to Friday except holidays 9.30-12.30 - 14.30-16.30 Closed in August. Free entrance. For groups telephone in advance
Modern building, the complete history of Alfa Romeo.
1910 24HP Torpedo 1931 1750 GS

1913 40/60HP Corsa 1936 Tipo C

1924 Targa Florio 1962 Giulietta

Library, research and educational facilities





MUSEO STORICO DELLA MOTORIZZAZIONE MILITARE
HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF MILITARY MOTORING
Viale dell?Esercito 170
00143 Cecchignola - Roma
Tel. and fax 39.0650 11 885
Open Saturday and Sunday 09.00-12.00, weekdays by appointment only
60 tanks, 60 motorcycles, 280 cars and military vehicles
Sherman tank
Frera/Gilera
IndianMoto Guzzi



PININFARINA COLLECTION
PININFARINA COLLECTION
Via Nazionale 30
10020 Cambiano (Torino)
Tel. 39.011.94 38 111
Inside Pininfarina Design Centre
Open by appointment only
40 Pininfarina designed vehicles, only 16 on display



TAZIO NUVOLARI MUSEO
TAZIO NUVOLARI MUSEUM
Piazza Broletto 9
46100 Mantova
Tel. 39.0376.327929 fax 39.0376.327929
info@tazionuvolari.it
www.tazionuvolari.it
In the town center, in the pedestrian zone
Open 10.00-13.00 - 15.30-18.30. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, closed in winter
Documents and objects which Nuvolari wanted to leave to ACI-Mantova and to the city of Mantova
1931 Alfa Romeo 2300





VINCENZO LANCIA COLLECTION
VINCENZO LANCIA COLLECTION
Via Caraglio 56
10141 Torino
Tel. 39.011.683 53 18 fax 39.011.683 80 44
Open by appointment only
Lancia's factory collection, vehicles dating back to 1907


SAN MARINO, REPUBLICA DI MARANELLO ROSSO COLLEZIONE
MARANELLO ROSSO COLLECTION
Strada dei Censiti, 21
47891 Falciano
Tel. 378.0549.970614 fax 378.0549.970607
mobile 39 337 612 898
museo@maranellorosso.com
www.maranellorosso.com
In the historical centre of the town
Open every day from February to November 10.00-13.00 - 14.00-18.00. Saturdays and Sundays by appointment
25 Ferrari and 30 Abarth
Ferrari GTO 1962 Abarth Simca 1300

Ferrari Spyder Pininfarina 1957 Ferrari 1000 Monza twin shaft

Ferrari 312 T3 131 Rallye world champion

Congress centre
Catering facilities

[diego]

Wow! You are all fantastic! Thanks very much.

[Mickey]

I read on today's daily newspaper Tuttosport that new sections of the Museo Nuvolari in Mantua have opened. There's a new room with every trophy and medal won by Il Nivola, a room with cars driven by him including a Cisitalia, and a recreation of his private office.

I guess I'll go visit it again next time I'm in the area.

[Stefan Ornerdal]

Antonio Catanzaro, which I believe is a TNF:er, runs a small Targa Florio Museum in Cerda, Sicily.

Stefan

[David M. Kane]

Bira, I too have visited the Pannini facility in Modena. I should point out
that it has some very interesting motorcycles including the landspeed Vespa
streamliner on the premises.

Of course, the food in Modena is the best. It is the home of Balsamic vinegar and well as being the region for Lambrusco wine.

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by dmj
VINCENZO LANCIA COLLECTION
Via Caraglio 56
10141 Torino
Tel. 39.011.683 53 18 fax 39.011.683 80 44
Open by appointment only
Lancia's factory collection, vehicles dating back to 1907

According to "A guest in Piemonte - Edizione Torino - #1 February/March 2004" (a small magazine for tourist) phone number now is +39 011 0032007
I have checked none of them.

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

Finally Mille Miglia official museum has been opened few days ago.

I have just opened a new thread with all info - New Mille Miglia museum - Brescia (Italy) - as I dind't recall this old thread and I couldn't find with "Search" utilities. I think I was (am) too tired.

Thanks to diego for having reminded it to me!

Ciao,
Guido

[Racer.Demon]

*bump*

Will be in Modena for two days in early May, hoping to do four museums - Panini, Stanguellini, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Is that doable or simply too much to take in all at once?

We'll also be near Turin the week before, but it seems the Biscaretti is still closed, as is the Alfa museum at Arese by the way. Anything else in the vicinity that's worthwile?

Oh, and a visit to the Parco del Valentino could be considered a form of track pilgrimage, couldn't it?

[kmartin]

Hi RD,

Yes it is possible, although you will not have much time to do anything else!

The only one of the 4 I have not seen is the Panini museum. You should allow at least 1/2 a day in Modena and 2 hours in the Stanguellini museum. There are 2 Lamborghini museums, but allow 2 to 4 hours in the factory site museum (about 20 mnutes out from Modena).

I would suggest that you do the Stanguellini and Ferarri museums on 1 day, and the other 2 on the remaining day, with travel between the 2 being about 30 minutes from memory. When i went in 2003, the Stanguellini museum was not open every day, so it would pay to book this one in advance. It is a little gem and well worth the visit!

Don't forget the old Maserati site too, on the outskirts of Modena. That is worth a drive by.

Regards

Kirk Martin

[Racer.Demon]

Thanks, Kirk - and it would be entirely according to plan not to do anything else, apart from taking in some great food.

I'm in the process of writing to signore Panini in advance - seems like the curteous thing to do - and will do the same with the Stanguellini museum as well. Good to hear that it's a great little gem. The same applies to the cars that Simone Stanguellini is still fielding today, so perhaps that's only logical.

2 to 4 hours for the Lambo factory? Is there that much to see?

[kmartin]

RD,

I guess it depends on how much you like your Lamborghinis, but the museum is 95% road cars, so keep that in mind. I think 4 hours is a bit generous though - you could do it in an hour if you needed to

I see the Panini museum is located between Bologna and Parma, so from memory you are heading in the right direction to the Panini museum once you have seen the Lamborghini museum.

Maybe you should check out the Nuvolari museum in Mantova while you are there, although i can't recall how long it is between Modena and Mantova. That too is a great museum.

I was lucky to enough to be working in Italy for 4 months in 2003, and we were based just out of Modena and within 10 minutes of the home of Lamborghini. I will never forget driving back to our hotel after visiting the Lamborghini factory, when this fantastic howl from behind us alerted us to a brand new Lamborghini out for a test drive - passing a line of traffic (including us) on a narrow Italian B road - flat chat!

All too much for a wide eyed Kiwi boy!

Kirk

[Racer.Demon]

Originally posted by kmartin
Maybe you should check out the Nuvolari museum in Mantova while you are there, although i can't recall how long it is between Modena and Mantova. That too is a great museum.

That's on the programme as well...

After Modena, we'll be staying four days in Mantova and then Verona - there, we'll have time to do other things, but the Nuvolari museum will be part of our town visit.

[aldo]

While in Verona, do not forget to visit Museo Nicolis in Villafranca di Verona (close to the airport and close to the centre of Verona). The car collection is large and interesting, the building beautiful. If you write in advance to Ms. Silvia Nicolis, she could arrange a visit to the workshop and a chat with her father, the founder of the Museum, a remarkable man.
You can google address and e-mail.
If you email Mr. Andrea Albani at Motor Valley (consulentescientifico@motorvalley.it) you may receive detailed info and a nice folder on the motor museums around Modena, Italian and English language.

[Racer.Demon]

A detailed report on my visit to the Panini, Stanguellini, Ferrari and Lambo collections in and around Modena will follow soon on 8W, but a word of warning in advance for those planning to visit the Nuvolari museum in Mantua anytime soon. Its location in the town centre at Piazza Broletto has been abandoned, with no word of the new whereabouts. Many of the locals are also unaware of this, and will send you back to the emptied place. However, we found a policeman who obliged us by phoning to his friends at the Squadra Volante (Italy's flying cops) who of course knew where we should be going.

It's now located at the Viale Piave, outside of the historical city centre, but when we went there on a Saturday morning we found the gates closed and no sign whatsoever about the opening hours. In fact, the sign at the gate still says 'Crediveneto Mantova' (probably the previous incumbent of the building), so they are probably still busy building the new museum. So how are we sure that this is the new place? There are hardboard cutouts of enlarged Nuvolari pictures to be seen in the garden...

Does anyone from around there know how they are progressing on the new location?

[onelung]

Make sure that the Biscaretti museum is in fact open if you go to Torino .. we were there in 2007 only to find that it was "closed for some years" while major works were being undertaken.
But then there's plenty more - MUCH more - to do & see in Torino, a truly beautiful city.....

[Racer.Demon]

Still closed, I'm afraid. But I agree, Turin was wonderful, and a funny surprise to be caught unawares by a large Labour Day demonstration by Italy's 'critical left'. Very colourful indeed...

[Pullman99]

Still closed, I'm afraid. But I agree, Turin was wonderful, and a funny surprise to be caught unawares by a large Labour Day demonstration by Italy's 'critical left'. Very colourful indeed...

Hi!

I was in Turin a couple of weeks ago (whilst also spending a few days in Milan) basically to visit the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile Carlo Biscaerreti di Ruffia. I had not realised it before I left for Italy, although I had noted a different address on one of the websites, but the original building on the Corso Unita d'Italia is being rebuilt. It looked like it had been bombed as we approached but still with the "tourist" brown direction signs pointing to it. I asked in a nearby cafe where it had gone and was redirected to the Turin Exhibition Centre on Corso Massimo d'Azeglio. Here there are key vehicles from the collection on show in themed exhibitions - currently on the evolution of the automobile - and will remain so until the original complex is reopened in 2011 as part of the celebrations marking Italy's unification.

Amongst many vehicles on show were a very original Mercedes-Benz W196, and Alfa-Romeo 159 and the prototype Maserati 250F (Chassis no. 2500) which was the only one that I could check gthe number of. One of my all time favourites is the Peking to Paris Itala of 1907 but the Bordino steam carriage that I had hoped to view was still in store. The iconic FIAT turbine car of 1954 went some way to make up for it. When reopened back ayt the original and very interesting building, judging by the plans models and video presentation on view, the new museum will be much expanded and will be one of the greatest - possibly the VERY BEST - transport museums in the world

[onelung]

.... One of my all time favourites is the Peking to Paris Itala of 1907..

We were there in '07 and with the launch of the Nuova Cinquecento (how can it be "500", I ask..?) the Itala was dragged out for the masses to wonder at.

[dretceterini]

FIAT has their own museum in Turin, but you need to make reservations..

[Racer.Demon]

I asked in a nearby cafe where it had gone and was redirected to the Turin Exhibition Centre on Corso Massimo d'Azeglio. Here there are key vehicles from the collection on show in themed exhibitions - currently on the evolution of the automobile - and will remain so until the original complex is reopened in 2011 as part of the celebrations marking Italy's unification.

What? That's right at the doorstep of the Parco Valentino! If I'd only known. I was there the best part of the afternoon anyway, tracing the former racing tracks that used to run through the park. Oh well, better luck next time...

Here, you'll find a modest report on my visit to Modena though:

http://8w.forix.com/...na-museums.html

[bradbury west]

New exhibition of work by Nuvolari the photographer;

http://translate.goo...l...olari&hl=en

Looks interesting
Roger Lund