The New Enzo Ferrari Museum In Modena Construction Work Has Started

MODENA, ITALY - April 22, 2009: With a simple ceremony, the construction work of the new Enzo Ferrari Museum has started on April 20, 2009 at his birthplace in Modena. Mr. Piero Ferrari, Enzo’s son, Mr. Giorgio Pighi, mayor of Modena, Mr. Mauro Tedeschini, president of the Enzo Ferrari Birthplace Foundation, uncovered a special sculpture which symbolize the shape of the new museum.

The original building where Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898 will be fully restored and integrated in the new building (6,000 sq m) whose roof is shaped like the engine cover of a racing car. The form and the yellow colours are already an icon of the town, well in advance of the completion in 2011.

Mr. Piero Ferrari commented: “The restoration of the birthplace of my father and the new building make true his dream and lifelong work and passion: automobiles and racing. I’m pleased and moved to be here today and I want to come here again for the opening of the new Museums in 2011”.

Mr. Giorgio Pighi, mayor of Modena, highlighted the values of the new Museum: “It is a symbol of the tradition, technology, style of the racing and sports car, which belong to Modena and the Motor Valley. The new museum is also a proof of the collaboration between local and central governments and private institutions and sponsors, started by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Modena”. Mr. Mauro Tedeschini mentioned members of the Foundation, contributors and sponsors, which include Ferrari, the Italian Automobile Club, the Modena Municipality, Province and Chamber of Commerce. A special thank went to Mr. Mario Righini who brought the first car ever built by Enzo Ferrari: the 1940 Auto Avio Costruzioni Type 815. It is the only one surviving of the two built then and it has been perfectly restored. The project of the Enzo Ferrari Museum is managed by the Enzo Ferrari Birthplace Foundation, established in 2003. The investment is worth € 15 million, funded by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage; Modena Municipality, Province, and Chamber of Commerce; Emilia-Romagna Region; banking institutions: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Modena as well as UniCredit Banca, Banco S. Geminiano e S. Prospero, Banca Popolare dell’Emilia Romagna.

The Museum celebrates not only the dream of the young Enzo Ferrari, but also the achievements of the many workers and entrepreneurs who made Modena and the area of the Emilia-Romagna Region, today known as “Motor Valley”, the world capital of motor sports. Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Dallara, Ducati are the brands with worldwide appeal and awareness still active in racing and production. Historical brands like Stanguellini, Ats, Minardi, Tecno, De Tomaso, Demm, Bimota, Morini, Minarelli were also located in the Motor Valley.

The museums address is via Paolo Ferrari 85, in a presently neglected area in the centre of Modena, where the industrialization of the town began in the 19-th century. It will host a collection of cars and memorabilia related to Enzo Ferrari as the symbol of the motor heritage of Modena. It is also a symbol of the identity and the worldwide awareness of the town, a trademark of the mechanical skills of local workers, a pole of attraction for culture and tourism. Digital multimedia technologies add value to the old building: visitors will enjoy an unique emotional experience. Cars are the protagonists in the new gallery: they will be displayed atop designer’s platforms, as they were masterpieces of art and miracles of engineering. The Museum will also include a documentation centre with a computer room to access the database of images and documents on the motor history of Modena. The core is the Swaters Collection, the largest one on Enzo Ferrari: the digitalization has already been completed by the Foundation. Cafeteria, bookshop, conference space up to 200 seats, and space for temporary exhibits will complete the facility. On-site parking space will be provided. The construction contract was won by a consortium of companies of the Region, while the project of the museum has been signed by Future Systems, London: Jan Kaplicky was the designer. Engineering and project management is by Politecnica, a Modena-based company.