Magic at Maranello

Not many girls get to walk through Ferrari’s factory doors, so you can imagine how excited I was to have a look into what happens inside the famous complex.

There is something magical about the history of the Italian marque and so when RM Auctions invited Motor Sport to share the experience of their second Ferrari auction, I had already packed my Italian dresses and sunglasses before they had finished asking me.

We arrived to a press lunch at Enzo Ferrari’s red and white box house within the centre of the Fiorano circuit. Lunch was a beautiful Italian spread of local cheeses and meats, washed down with local Prosecco in ‘Ferrari emblem’ cups. The tour started in the annex next to Enzo’s house, filled with ex-F1 Ferraris. A remarkable place; where only a semblance of decency stopped me getting into the various ‘past masters’ and imagining how Schumacher must have felt barrelling down the pit straight at Monza.

We were soon led onto the modern machining rooms where the latest cars are being made and assembled; such is the popularity that there is currently a 3-year waiting list for a brand new Ferrari. The care and attention that they put into these cars does explain just why the brand has been at the top of the game for so long. The factory was pristine clean and not a lad’s poster in sight.

From the assembly line we went into the ‘leather room’ where a customer can choose from 12 different types of pelle.

A real highlight was visiting the Classiche factory where 1950s Ferraris were having their certifications done.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect because when we emerged from the factory the Mille Miglia was passing through town. The heavy rain dampened no ones spirits and we all waved them off as they drove back to Brescia.

RM held a fantastic pre-auction cocktail reception at Fiorano circuit, this year it was even slicker than last as it had two PR teams in control of the night’s events to make sure everything ran smoothly. Guests mingled around the Ferrari cars that were up for auction and the 1960 Ferrari Dino Sport 246 that Motor Sport test-drove was there on display.

The following day the auction had an electrifying atmosphere. I was sitting behind Chris Evans as he swigged down beer and lovingly kissed his wife in between placing ever increasing sums of money on the table for lot 328: the 1961 250GT SWB California Spyder. It was eventually sold to Chris for a staggering £5,089,280. A member of RM auctions told me she had never seen an auction room react like they did, with people standing up and cheering on the two bidders.

Such was the popularity of the car, Chris Evans was offered a further £1million after the auction, which he turned down!