Monday, March 28, 2011

Hey, recognize this?

No? What if I put some yellow and red around it...

Not yet? Here's a BIG hint...

oooo....pretty...

 

and another...

Yup! Today we went to the Ferrari factory! Well, only John and Chris and I went. Liam was super bummed, but you have to be 16 to go on the factory tour and they are quite strict about it. So, the kids all stayed home with Grandma, and the three of us hopped in a car bright and early this morning and went to Maranello!

The "old" entrance. Enzo Ferrari's office was just inside so he could see the comings and goings of everyone.

We started with a really quick walk through the museum.

Some of the winning Formula 1's

The 458 Italia. Aren't I smart?! OK, Chris told me what it was...

I LOVED the older cars form the 50's and 60's...

...because they are GORGEOUS!

Unfortunately, when we went to the factory, they confiscated our cameras. Oh well. It was really interesting. We first went into one of the manufacturing buildings where they made the engines. We saw them machining the pistons and crank shafts and putting together the engine blocks. The building was pristinely clean. Most of the buildings are nearly brand new, and Ferrari has really concentrated on making a pleasant work environment, so there were plants growing inside and lots of natural light, and the the sound was kept to a minimum decibel level.

Next, we went to see them assemble some cars on the V12 line. When they say handmade, they really mean handmade! It was so interesting! Each car gets its own square on the "red carpet" - part of the floor (which is red) is the assembly line and that portion of the floor moves from station to station - one each hour. There were all different kinds of models on the line, left drive and right drive, and the workers have to know what goes where for each model, as well as what specific things go on for each order (those things travel around with the car).

On the way to the Formula 1 buildings, we saw the test track and watched a GT zip by. Enzo Ferrari had a house in the middle of the track, and although he kept an apartment in Modena, he preferred to stay here.

EDITED TO ADD!!! In between here we saw the private 599 GTXX collection. This means nothing to me, but it may to you as it does to Chris. Some guys were working on one. No wait, actually, I know what this is. It's another type of racing car that once it is finished in the professional circuit, you are able to purchase the car and race it privately. EDITED TO ADD (again, after checking with the expert who referred me to the handy-dandy book we were given at the end)... WRONG, Sarah! Any old person can buy the GTXX. Go out and get one today! Only a half million! What a deal!

We didn't get to see much of the Formula One things, because the season started yesterday, and they are quite secretive about their information, but we did get to see the warehouse where people store their Formula Ones. Let me explain...when they are done officially racing the Formula Ones, after 2 years (so as not to expose trade secrets!) one is able to purchase the car. Apparently, there is a private racing series (you may have already known that. I didn't) If you own one of these cars, you can store it at Ferrari and have them tune it up for you. Of course. Silly me for not knowing...

After a quick look around the store, we had lunch across the street and headed back to Florence.

All in all, really interesting and a great thing to do today since it was pouring rain. They really are some exquisitely beautiful machines. But do you want to know which one I really want?

The Ferrari Vespa! So cute!!!

It sounds like Grandma had a fun day with the kids, just hanging out and doing some school work. Thanks, Grandma! The school has kind of slipped by the wayside the longer we are here!

Tonight we are headed just around the corner for John and Dianne's last dinner here. These two weeks with them went so fast! And were so much fun!