Umberto Panini Collection: the history of the Maserati guarded and handed down by the family of the great entrepreneur from Modena

in foreground single-seater vintage Maserati in particular I model Eldorado number 10

On 2 December 1996, the Motor Valley was about to be deprived of one of its most representative symbols and one of the most important pieces in the history of Italian motoring. The London-based Brooks has scheduled for that day the auction of the Maserati Museum Collection, 19 highly prestigious examples representing eighty years of Trident activity. The owner of the Modena car manufacturer at the time was FIAT. The collection belonged to Alejandro De Tomaso, who three years after selling the company had decided to do the same with his last properties, since 1965 in a beautiful exhibition inside the Maserati factory.

A mechanical and engineering heritage that was also, and above all, historical and cultural, enough to trigger a real mobilization between authorities and enthusiasts. The solution comes a few days before the auction, by the hand of a family that had already tied its name to that of the city of Modena, and helped make it known throughout the world. The Panini family, and specifically Umberto Panini, man and entrepreneur enterprising and adventurous, passionate about land and engines. Very attached to that Emilia in which he had returned after seven years spent in Venezuela, that had served him to learn to do by himself and not depend on anyone.

Umberto Panini buys the collection, thus keeping it in its homeland. He moves it just outside the city, in his own agro-food farm where he produced – and still produces – a Parmigiano-Reggiano with total organic supply chain. It is here, in this estate called Hombre, in memory of the nickname that Umberto had on Venezuelan soil, that more than ten thousand visitors a year come to admire these unique cars in their kind. Cars that have made the history of motoring such as the 6C 34, the single-seater produced in only 6 examples with which in 1934 Tazio Nuvolari won the Grand Prix of Modena. Or the A6GCS Berlinetta Pininfarina, one of four built for the World Championship Sport Prototypes and considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the Turin coachman.

Maserati cars and tractors on display
Maserati cars and tractors on display

To the 19 specimens saved by Umberto Panini, the Collection has seen other valuable pieces added over the years. Today, in the art deco style shed where it is housed, in addition to 21 Maserati and 12 cars from other manufacturers are present 60 motorcycles and motor bicycles, and 20 vintage agricultural tractors. Giovanni Panini, son of Umberto and responsible for the collection together with his sister Manuela and brothers Marco and Matteo, opens the doors to this extraordinary treasure, where some of the most prestigious jewels of the whole Motor Valley are kept.

Giovanni, let’s start with the past. The history of the Collection is as unique as the cars that make it up.
The moment that marks the birth of the Collection is known to all. But its origins can be traced back to the mid-eighties, when my father Umberto, driven by passion and with an amateur spirit, began collecting cars and motorcycles.

Pictures of Giovanni and Umberto Panini smiling with behind them the collection of vintage cars
Pictures of Giovanni and Umberto Panini smiling with behind them the collection of vintage cars
Yes, because the Collection is linked to the name of Maserati, which in turn evokes the four wheels. But there is much more to the Collection.

My father was a great motorbike enthusiast. There were many that caught his attention. He, however, as belligerent as it was, bought them only if they had Modena plate. Today the motorcycle exhibition includes 60 examples from various manufacturers. It tells the story of two wheels, from the first applications on bicycles of simple twin-cylinder 20cm3 up to more sophisticated vehicles such as the DKW with rotary motor. There are the most glorious Italian brands such as Ducati, Gilera, Moto Guzzi, or foreign ones like Norton and Harley Davidson, and others that we could define small cabotage, including Maserati itself. Not everyone knows, in fact, but from 1953 to 1960 Maserati built motorcycles, to enter a market that like many others at the time was experiencing a real boom. We have three.

What’s the connection with Maserati?

With Maserati we have an intense and continuous collaboration, rich in exchanges and activities. Today, for example, our Type 63 Birdcage is exhibited in the showroom of the factory in via Ciro Menotti, while we are hosting a Gran Turismo and a Gran Cabrio. It is a fruitful cooperation that wants to witness the continuity between history and modernity of Maserati. In fact we are responsible for and witnesses of the history of the Maserati brand in the world. For this reason too, the cars in the Collection have never been modified by us. They are completely original cars, assembled directly by Maserati and not subject to restoration works. And they are almost all working. They are very popular cars, which often go out to participate in events, exhibitions, contests. Of course, they require small maintenance work, which is carried out by specialist workshops. Car craftsmen, in this case Maserati, who are found only in this territory. 

What are the most valuable pieces?

If we look at the cars are two racing cars, one with covered wheels and the other with uncovered wheels. From an economic point of view, the most valuable piece would be the A6GCS 53 Berlinetta, designed by Gioacchino Colombo, built by Pinin Farina and chosen as the car of the centenary Maserati. But the most iconic is definitely the 420 M Eldorado, the first racing car fully sponsored by a company outside the world of cars. It is a unique, imposing piece, and it is the car that captures the most attention of the visitor.

What about those you’re closest to?

All are beautiful, all have a unique story. If I had to make a distinction of technical type, I would say the Type 63 and the Type 61 Birdcage, for their futuristic construction motor and telaistica. As a driving experience, the two Ghibli, the GT and the Spider, are the most beautiful thing there can be to travel on the road. For motorcycles the choice is even more difficult. As a lover of Ducats and British motorcycles, I would say the Scrambler 350 with yellow tank, but a Scott Squirrel or an Indian represent the history of motorcycling.

What is most striking for visitors to the collection?

Certainly the glance, the overall view of the exhibition. That is inserted in an agricultural context, in a structure style ’20s, in which stands this colonnade that my father Umberto recovered by chance from a thief of Gambettola, in the province of Forlì. He found it perfect for the internal architecture he had in mind, Inspired by the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse that had so fascinated him. It is a beautiful and functional structure, because as soon as you walk through the front door, you have a complete view of the entire collection.

Top view of the Umberto Panini Collection
Top view of the Umberto Panini Collection
And who are the visitors that have impressed you most?

Once a visitor offered me to exchange our A6G 54 with Allemanno body shop for a painting by a famous painter. Apart from that, I always get excited about visitors who are passionate about the Maserati brand, especially those who are affectively linked to a particular model following an episode or a personal story.

What is the status of the Collection? Is there a piece you would like to add?

From our point of view the collection is complete and tells the story of the brand in a comprehensive way. We always receive offers and never refuse evaluation requests, but we do not think it is time to expand the exhibition. Then, if it came the opportunity to add a Sebring or expand the racing chapter with a 150S I would evaluate it very carefully, but more to satisfy a personal pleasure than to extend the representativeness of the exhibition.

What is Motor Valley for you? How do you relate to the world of collecting?

Emilia-Romagna is a repository of knowledge unique in the world. And even today it is able to offer opportunities to those who have decided to build their career around the world of motor. It is important that Motor Valley keeps alive and active this system which gathers great brands, collections, museums and other subjects of high specialization, so that it is not dispersed into many small fragments. From the point of view of the community, the Motor Valley has a very strong reason for being. Unity is important and the flag must always be high, so that everyone feels part of a history that has a deep connection with this territory.

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