Summary
We had our share of car experiences while visiting Emilia Romagna. This region of Italy is known as the Land of Motors, and for good reason. It is the birthplace of iconic brands like Ducati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. Our adventure included the chance to drive a Ferrari around a race track; however, today we’re focusing on Lamborghini.
Lamborghini 50th Anniversary
While in Bologna, we witnessed 300 classic Lamborghinis gathering in the Piazza Maggiore to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. We also took a tour of the main Lamborghini museum, located in a quaint town between Bologna and Modena.
Lamborghini Museum
Among all our automotive encounters, nothing could compare to our private tour of the Lamborghini family museum in Dosso. This museum offers an intimate look into Ferruccio Lamborghini’s life and legacy, guided by his nephew Fabio. This was an unexpected delight!
Upon entering, Fabio commanded our attention with utmost authority. “It is best if you take photos after I finish speaking,” he requested. We listened intently, captivated by his insightful storytelling.
Let’s Talk Tractors
I have to say, this was the most enjoyable museum tour I’ve ever experienced! We journeyed through history, starting with Lamborghini’s first tractor. Did you know that Lamborghini initially started in the tractor business?
Ferruccio Lamborghini was indeed a farmer. He approached Ferrari with suggestions for improving their clutch, but was dismissed with, “Who is this farmer to tell us how to fix our car?”
Building His Own Car
Thus, Ferruccio decided to use his expertise to create his own car—one that was bigger and better. What distinguishes Lamborghini from other automobile brands is its exclusivity. Owning one requires more than just wealth; it’s a symbol of status. Interestingly, we couldn’t find a Lamborghini model priced under $300,000!
Our Fabio Lamborghini Tour
As Fabio took us through the Lamborghini Museum, I couldn’t help but wonder about the cost of his shoes. Here was a man from a family of immense wealth, yet he engaged with us passionately and humbly, eager to share the story of Lamborghini.
Toy Lamborghini?
He unveiled a mini Lamborghini built for Ferruccio’s son, a delightful motorized toy car.
More than Just Cars
We discovered that Lamborghini ventured into various products, from skis to helicopters. The helicopter story is particularly intriguing as only one was ever made.
This helicopter, designed with Lamborghini’s signature perfection, hangs from the museum ceiling today, as a testament to innovation stifled by regulations.
Fun Fact: Yellow was Ferruccio Lamborghini’s favorite color
From Two Wheels to No Wheels
We were astonished to see the Lamborghini “Vespa” as well as bicycles and even air conditioners. Ferruccio loved to build diverse creations!
What Came First: DeLorean or Lamborghini?
Lamborghini developed a car with gull-wing doors long before DeLorean made this design famous in Back to the Future. When I asked Fabio why they didn’t pursue this design further, he simply stated, “It’s an inefficient design.”
The Official Auto of the Vatican is Lamborghini
We saw the actual golf cart used by Pope John Paul II during his papacy. The bulletproof glass remained intact, allowing us to feel the Pope’s presence beside us.
The Pope Mobile
Ferruccio Lamborghini’s Actual Cars
We were shown Ferruccio’s personal car, which he drove in the 1948 Mille Miglia. When Fabio asked us to guess its value, we offered various estimates, but he simply replied, “Priceless, it’s not for sale.”
A splendid finale arrived when we had the chance to sit in a Lamborghini of our choice. We opted for the classic Countach, famously featured in the Cannonball Run films, reminiscing about the fun those characters had on screen.
Before concluding our visit, Fabio graciously let us take a picture with him. We left wondering if we might connect with him for a future ride in one of Ferruccio’s classics.
It Had to End Some Time
Our tour concluded in the museum’s shop, where we couldn’t resist purchasing memorabilia, including a T-shirt. It’s a tradition for us—Dave is known for truly living up to the saying: “been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt.”
Honestly, we could have spent much more time at this museum! Exploring the wall photographs and examining the prototypes and gadgets truly engrossed us.
Lamborghini Museum Tips
- The Ferruccio family museum is located in Dosso, near Cento. You can reach Cento from Bologna via train or bus, then take a taxi to Dosso. Make sure to book an exclusive tour in advance by contacting the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum.
For further details on travel to Emilia Romagna, explore Emilia Romagna tourism. Follow more travel bloggers who explore the region on Twitter.
