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The Righini Collection

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By Alain Raymond

Italy, 2012

“The Mario Righini automobile collection is one of the finest private collections in Italy. Would you like to visit?” asks Signora Adriana Zini, Director of Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari, in Modena.

How do you say “of course,” in Italian? Admittedly, I had never heard of the Righini Collection, but here I was the next morning, entering the 15th century castle of Panzano at Castelfranco Emilia, near Modena. Waiting in the inner court, a tall distinguished looking gentleman greets us with a smile. “Io sono Mario Righini. Benvenuti in Italia” says the charming host in a soft voice to the travelling journalist and his two friends. Luckily one of those friends is Salvatore Montana, from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, ex-Ferrari master race mechanic, who also serves as our interpreter.

The Righini home, the 15th century castle of Panzano at Castelfranco Emilia, near Modena.

“I will show you my collection,” indicates Signore Righini as he opens a large wooden door. My automotive heart must have stopped for a moment as I recognized the front end of the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 once owned by Tazio Nuvolari. Beside this icon of the glorious 30s stands the modern version of the “Otto C”, a 2007 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. “I am totally committed to Alfa Romeo,” admits Mario Righini, as he describes his beloved Alfa 8C 2300.

Mario Righini opens the medieval doors leading to his amazing private automobile collection, “one of the finest in Italy.” Inside, the fabled Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.

Raising my eyes from the pair of Alfas, I recognize in the semi-dark warehouse a yellow Ferrari. “This is a 1953 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder powered by a 4-cylinder 2 litre engine. Ferrari only built 31 Mondials.” Next to the amazing Mondial rests a 1946 Cisitalia D46. Then a 1938 BMW 328. A red Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Lamborghini’s first, the 350 GT. A blue metallic Mercedes 300 SL Roadster. An awesome world-championship Lancia Stratos. A rally-winning Fiat-Abarth 124. A superb Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ … My automotive heart must have stopped several times before I finished drooling on the dozen or so great sports and racing cars stored in this medieval warehouse.

Stepping out into the sunshine then came the second blow: “Would you like to visit the rest of the collection?” asks Signore Righini. “You mean there is more?” “A few more” replies the smiling gentleman as he opens huge double pane wooden doors.

This specially bodied 1929 Alfa Romeo convertible belonged to Benito Mussolini.

Inside is row after row of historic automobiles, most of them in their original un-restored condition. Lancia, Bugatti, Rolls Royce, Fiat, Stanguellini, Ford, Ansaldo (don’t ask…), Itala, OM, Isotta Fraschini, and Alfa Romeos in great numbers, including a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C GT Compressore, Benito Mussolini’s private car!

From the scrap yard

How did all this happen? “Well, my family has been in the recycling business for several decades, and during World War II, on the request of the Italian government, we tore down thousands of old vehicles in order to recycle the steel and other valuable material. But my father had the foresight to keep significant vehicles that passed through our scrap yard. After the war, I continued the business which is still active today and I began adding to the collection. Of course, I favour legendary Italian cars but I also collect cars, trucks, motorcycles and airplanes from other nationalities. It’s a life long passion which I enjoy sharing with visitors like you.”

This fearsome “cigar” on four wheels is the unique Fiat Chiribiri powered by a 7-litre 300-horsepower aircraft engine capable of reaching 300 km/h (186 mph).

After a while, Signore Righini excuses himself: “I have to meet a group of students, so I will ask my assistant to show you the motorcycle collection”. Following our new guide across the large flowering yard, we stop by a large covered object. Removing the tarp reveals the one and only 1912 Fiat Chiribiri, the land-speed record car powered by a huge 7 litre aircraft engine. “It is in working condition, but we are careful when we start it up so as not to damage our eardrums…”

The Mario Righini Collection features a host of motorcycles from all ages.

Then comes the motorcycle collection in an adjacent building, from early Vespa scooters to World War II military Italian and German motorcycles to racing bikes, lined up one beside the other in what used to be the castle’s flour mill. “There is still more…” explains Signore Righini’s assistant “trucks and airplanes…”

Having already spent a good part of the morning, we unfortunately have to leave this treasure trove on our way to another event on our memorable tour of Terra di Motori. Grazie mille, Signore Righini, for your hospitality and for safeguarding so many memorable machines for future generations to appreciate.

Much more!

One of the most important cars in the collection, the only remaining Auto Avio Costruzioni Typo 815, the first car built by Enzo Ferrari before creating his own brand. This car, as exhibited at the opening of the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari.

A jewel in the Righini crown, the delightful Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.

1953 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder (chassis 0410MD). Rebodied to its original Pinin Farina Spyder configuration by Carrozzeria Bachelli & Villa of Bastaglia, Modena.

You may be familiar with the handsome Spider by Fiat. Here is the Fiat Abarth Spider Rally car that was so successful in international rallying in the 1970s.

A frequent rival to Alfa Romeo, the pre-war BMW 328 was much appreciated for its elegance, fine handling and great performance.

Lancia has produced some the world’s most remarkable sports and race cars, none more feared by its competition than the Lancia Stratos powered by a V6 Ferrari Dino engine.

Stored in the castle’s flour mill is an exquisite Alfa Romeo Freccia D’Oro. You may remember the car in which Michael Corleone’s beautiful Sicilian bride was blown up in the movie The Godfather. It was a Freccia D’Oro.

This original 1946 Cisitalia D46 powered by a Fiat 1100 cc engine was designed by Dante Giacosa.

Previously published in a Canadian-Italian life-style mag: www.panoramitalia.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. What a marvelous collection and a beautiful castle! I only hope I will be fortunate enough to visit when I come to Italy.

  2. My wife and I have stood at the same place as your camera-except for the motorcycles. This collection is loaded with the very most desirable automobiles – plus Alfa Romeo WWII military vehicles. Just being there is sure to make anyone very envious. You can go there probably twice a year – via carguytour.com

  4. Just spent a week in Modena visiting the various Museums.
    The Panini and Stanguellini Museums are worth a visit.

  5. A fabulous collection and a gracious owner/host can combine for an utterly overwhelming experience. Back when Fred Simeone had his cars in a downtown warehouse, he showed me a group on the ground floor that matched anything I’d ever seen in my life. Then he said, “The good stuff is upstairs. If you’ve got time, would you like to see them?” If I had time! I would have crawled on my hands and knees from California to see them! Upstairs was the newly-acquired Daytona Cobra, the Alfa 2.9MM, the DBR Aston . . . Nothing can match that memory, but Righini showing me around his castle might come close.

  6. we got to visit the collection and have a wonderful dinner there on the first cento ore di Modena. I thought there was just one building, with postwar and modern cars. then someone told me about the old stuff. wow!

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