We had our share of car experiences while visiting Emilia Romagna. After all, it “isn’t called the Land of Motors for nothing”.
This region of Italy is where Ducati, Ferrari and Lamborghini all originated. We had many car encounters including the chance to drive a Ferrari around a race track, but today we’re going to talk about Lamborghini.
Lamborghini 50th Anniversary
During our time in Bologna, we saw 300 classic Lamborghinis crowd the Piazza Maggiore for the 50th anniversary of the company and we went on a tour of the main Lamborghini museum in a tiny town between Bologna and Modena.
Lamborghini Museum
All these auto encounters were amazing, but nothing compared to our private tour of the Lamborghini family museum in Dosso.
It is here where you get an intimate tour of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s life and legacy on a private tour with his nephew Fabio. I wasn’t expecting this!
We walked in the front door and Fabio instantly took command as only a man of his stature could. “It is best if you take photos after I finish speaking” And so we listened. We watched, we followed and we hung on his every word.
Let’s Talk Tractors
I must say, I have never enjoyed a museum tour so much in my life. We took a tour through history. Starting at the first tractor that Lamborghini ever made. Did you even know that Lamborghini started in the tractor business?
Yes, Ferruccio Lamborghini was a farmer. Well, that’s what Ferrari told Lamborghini when he approached the company with his ideas about how their clutch could use some improvements.
Ferrari would have nothing of it, “Who is this farmer to tell us how to fix our car?”
Building His Own Car
So Ferruccio decided to take his knowledge and build his own car. Only bigger and better. What sets Lamborghini apart from any other car is how exclusive it is. Not just anyone can own one. You need to be more than wealthy to own one.
When we looked up prices, we couldn’t find a car under $300,000!
Our Fabio Lamborghini Tour
As we were led around the Lamborghini Museum by Fabio, all I could think about was how much his shoes must cost.
I mean, this is a man that comes from a family with a lot of money.
And yet, here he was talking to us with passion.
He was fun and approachable and excited to share the story of Lamborghini with us.
Toy Lamborghini?
He showed us the mini Lamborghini that Ferruccio made for his son to have his own motorized toy car.
More than just cars
We learned that Lamborghini made everything from skis to helicopters.
The helicopter is an interesting story because there was only one made.
It was modern and designed with Lamborghini perfection, but the government had a monopoly on building helicopters so he wasn’t allowed to make them.
Today it hangs from the ceiling of the family museum.
Fun Fact: Yellow was Ferruccio Lamborghinis favourite colour
From two Wheels to No Wheels
We were amazed to see the Lamborghini “Vespa” and bicycles and air conditioners.
This guy loved to build.
What Came First DeLorean or Lamborghini?
Lamborghini designed a car with gull-wing doors long before DeLorean imitated the design and made it famous in Back to the Future.
When I asked Fabio why Lamborghini didn’t pursue this design he replied, “well it’s an inefficient design.” Couldn’t argue with that.
The Official Auto of the Vatican is Lamborghini
We saw the actual golf cart that Pope John Paul II used during his reign (is that what you call time in office as Pope?)
The bullet proof glass was still on it and it was as if the Pope was right there with us on the seat of the cart.
The Pope Mobile
Ferruccio Lamborghini’s Actual Cars
We saw Ferruccio’s own personal car that he drove in the 1948 Mille Miglia and when Fabio asked us to guess how much it is worth, we came up with all sorts of answers, but the true one was “Priceless, It’s not for sale’ he said.
And then the finale came when we were allowed to sit in a Lamborghini of our choosing.
Ok, we had the choice of two.
We chose to sit in the classic Countach, you know the one used in the Canonball Run?
Ah, Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise at their best, they always looked like they were having so much fun in those movies.
And then Fabio was gracious enough to let us all pose for a photo with him. What a nice guy. I got his card too!
So we’re thinking, the next time we’re in Italy we may give him a call and see if he wants to go for a spin in one of Ferruccio’s classics. I think he’ll go for it!
It Had to End Some Time
Our tour ended upstairs where we could buy some memorabilia and we couldn’t leave the place without buying a T-Shirt.
Dave really is one of those guys who has “been there, done that and bought the T-Shirt.” I don’t think we ever leave a place without getting a T-shirt for him. We have an entire box dedicated to Dave’s T’s
We definitely didn’t have enough time at this museum.
I could have spent much longer looking at all the photographs on the walls and take a slower walk through all the prototypes and gadgets in the complex.
Lamborghini Museum Tips
- The Ferruccio Family museum is located in Dosso near the town of Cento. You can take a train or bus to Cento from Bologna and then taxi to Dosso. You must book an exclusive tour in advance by contacting the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum or email at @[email protected]
For more information on travel to Emilia Romagna, visit Emilia Romagna tourism
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