Motor Club Events, LLC latest Blog post - "My Hobby Shop"......Part 3

Hello to our Friends and Teammates,

The  following is another of those stories from along the way....if you have the time, we hope you'll enjoy reading it!

Please continue to consider "Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours On The Avenue" when making your plans for August 2012.

Our Application for Entry 2012 is attached and available for your use!
"My Hobby Shop"......Part 3
 
1983 was an interesting year for me!
That January, Genie announced an unwanted bit of information---as our relationship of multiple years did not seem to be moving forward she was considering a move to Europe.

                   And...

On the 29th of September 1983,  I fulfilled a long time dream and toured the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy!

You're wondering what one has to do with the other?  I offer Part 3 of "My Hobby Shop"......

One more piece of the puzzle which led us to Concours On The Avenue!
 
June 1983 arrived and Genie had made good on her announcement from the beginning of the year. She was long gone......to Germany and the home of her college roommate Diane and husband Sepp in the small town of Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart to be exact.

As I had never been to Europe, it really did seem like she was a long way from home.
From this point it did not take me very long to work out that I had made a serious mistake in letting Genie get away.
 
June passed, July and August as well.......all of my efforts toward contact had failed until Genie finally agreed to meet me in Frankfurt in mid-September. Now it was time to win her back and planning for my first trip to Europe shifted into high gear. It was not only an opportunity to experience the romance and history of storied countries but also, a chance to fulfill my dream of touring the Ferrari factory, as well. This is the general practice all "car guys and gals" should follow--when traveling, include as many motoring related adventures as possible! 

Organizing a tour of the Ferrari factory back in 1983 (or even today) was not as simple as one might think even with the help of my local Ferrari dealer or any of my contacts I had at that time. Try as I might, I couldn't accomplish my goal of organizing an appointment for the dreamed of tour. Lamenting this to Genie during a phone call to confirm more of our plans for mid-September, which was now fast approaching, she said to let her see what she could do. Her best friend's husband Sepp, unbeknownst to me, was Director of Exports to Italy and Greece for Mercedes-Benz. His ability to speak six languages fluently had placed him in very interesting situations over the years including translation duties during sensitive negotiations that had taken place between Mercedes-Benz and other manufacturers. I was a bit skeptical but Genie explained his contacts were many and high up the corporate ladder.   

Two days later the telephone rang, it's Genie--"Sepp has arranged a tour for 10:00 am on the 29th of September at the Ferrari factory for us--and oh yes,  the Frankfurt Auto Show is ongoing during your arrival and Sepp wants you to have a special welcome there as well." To say that I was blown away is an understatement...........did I not tell you I couldn't let this girl get away!! 
I arrived in Frankfurt after an all night flight, unable to sleep, wide awake and seriously wide eyed.......Genie, Europe and the Ferrari factory.......all now close at hand! We met in the Frankfurt airport, picked up the rental car which by luck of the draw turned out to be a "brand new on the streets of Europe" 190 Mercedes Benz--just weeks old.  Everywhere we went people were seeing the 190 for the first time and constantly asking questions about this new small car. The interest was at a level that was a total surprise to us and added an additional element of fun. Within a few days, I sounded like an expert regarding this new model as well as the direction Mercedes Benz was headed at the time!
I'm with Genie in Europe and after a few short hours on the ground we were attending the Frankfurt Auto Show and on the Mercedes Benz stand enjoying the maximum welcome. I wasn't sure if it could get any better.  But it did!  My first trip to Europe and by the second day Sepp made sure I experienced the Mercedes-Benz factory and the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart--and the great roads of Europe and the Ferrari factory still lay ahead of us!

The next week, simply stated, was "Unbelievable".  The drive across Germany into Austria and down into Italy the long way, the casual way and the scenic way produced so many great souvenirs in my mind's eye that to this moment I can recall even the smallest of details that still mean so much. The charming villages and historic towns and cities, the fantastic architecture and learning that one eats and drinks very well in Europe!

Have I mentioned yet, that my travel plans (unknown to her) included asking Genie if she would marry me? While I was doing my best to get an appointment at the Ferrari factory I was simultaneously deciding where and when I would pop the question. What could be more romantic than floating down the canals of Venice in a gondola as the backdrop for such a momentous occasion?

When we arrived in Venice, I was a bit nervous--we had to park the little 190 that was attracting so much attention and I was concerned when I saw the lack of security for our belongings and the car itself. Genie, having no idea of my plan said why didn't we just continue on our trip and head for Florence. I was insistent, however, as I had already visualized my proposal many times over--I was determined that this would be the day! I confided my plan to our gondolier and asked him to tell me when we reached the Bridge of Sighs. As we floated down the canals of Venice, serenaded by our gondolier I couldn't wait any longer--I asked--she said yes and our gondolier applauded! My plan was now working seriously well!!!  A perfect day followed by a perfect evening spent informing everyone we came in contact with that we were engaged. This being Italy--the most romantic of the European countries--everyone wanted to celebrate our news. They didn't know us and we didn't know them but it mattered little--everyone wanted to join in on our revelry! As I said; it really is important to include as many motoring related adventures as possible--even if the adventure is powered by a one human power gondolier!! 

Becoming engaged on my first trip to Europe--amazing! Then, Modena --the lifelong home of Enzo Ferrari--arriving there had so much anticipation attached to it that I felt as if I was a schoolboy, again. You always remember the really big moments from along your road and that really special feeling! I had just had one of those in Venice and  I was now having another!

Talk about being fired up--we arrived at our Hotel in Modena, The Fini, which was well known to one and all as the Ferrari Hotel at that time. Everywhere I looked I could see something Ferrari related. Soon enough, we were checked in and back out the door to see some of the historical (Ferrari) sights in Modena......the Scuderia Ferrari building where so much Ferrari history (and Alfa Romeo) had occurred and at that time, still ongoing.....The birth home of Enzo Ferrari and the home of his fathers work shop.......one and the same....and so many more sights that were carefully catalogued in my mind, each easily found with my trusty navigator Genie by my side. 

After the tour around Modena it was time to drive the short distance to the Ferrari factory in nearby Maranello on the famous Abetone Road. I absolutely needed to do this so that there was no possible way we might get lost the next morning and in turn be late for our appointment. All of a sudden there it was......the Ferrari factory entrance seen in so many photos. I immediately visualized all the great Ferraris as they drove away from the factory with some lucky pilot at the wheel.

Even if the appointment was the next morning--I could not help myself--I had to check with the security guard stationed at the entrance to make sure this is where I was supposed to arrive. You have to imagine that I am at the door of the Ferrari factory asking the security guard if I was indeed at the correct location!? He of course very kindly assured me I was, while, I am sure, privately thinking I was an idiot. Who could not recognize one of the most famous automotive factory entrances in the world!?

The next morning we were back...30 minutes early! The time passed so slowly. However when our guide arrived to take us for the long dreamed of tour--to say that I was excited is an understatement! A little thing that immediately made a huge impression on me was that most doors, trim and accessories were presented in the usual stylish Italian way and were the color red. Well, I thought.....what other color would they be?........I don't know......it just never occurred to me that I would encounter such an element with this same pattern repeated all over the factory.

A very short walk across a courtyard (the famous one in all the photos) passing just yards from the even more famous windows, where Enzo Ferrari himself, may actually have been sitting at his desk. I was over the moon! In moments we were on the factory floor, viewing the assembly line, the staging areas and actually experiencing each element of the Ferrari mystique--my dream was now reality! Our guide Emilio was happy, it seemed, to just follow us around--rather than us him--and answer all of my crazy questions. I had no idea that the ability to roam at will that day, was highly unusual. I learned on subsequent visits that were much more structured, just how unusual it was. In retrospect, when I think of the freedom we had that day it just blows me away!

Rather than describe each and every detail (as I can do!) let me say that I felt as if we visited every nook, corner and cranny of the factory and several hours later we were back where we started. On the return walk to the main entrance, a flatbed truck drove by with a new body style on it I didn't recognize. When I questioned Emilio as to what we were seeing, his "innocent" reaction was the Italian version of "what truck are you refering to?" I was so happy!!! I knew I had spotted something not yet seen in public.  It turned out to actually be the Berlinetta Boxer replacement known as the Testarossa which was presented for the first time at the Paris auto show just one year later!

I wasn't shy so while saying our good byes I asked if it would be possible to see the area where the Formula 1 racers were being built? Emilio shrugged his shoulders and said wait a moment and that he would check. I was surprised that he even offered to try and was sure that he was just being kind so, when he returned and began giving us directions to the F1 Department, I was stunned.

Less than ten minutes later we had completed our goodbyes, driven a few blocks and found ourselves giving our names at, what else, a red door and we were in! This was not part of the dream as I had never thought it would be possible! Before we knew it, Marco was leading us along and pointing out some seriously stunning sights.This time we followed, however, I was still able to deviate if I saw something I wanted to ask questions about and it just seemed ok!!! Hog heaven!!!

As it was 1983, the turbocharged 126C3 was the racer of the moment with Rene Arnoux and Patrick Tambay as the team pilots. Watching team mechanics actually attaching parts to a tub that one of the Scuderia pilots would soon drive, was something truly fantastic. Again, just like the production car factory, I felt as if we covered some serious territory in the F1 building--seeing things I had no real frame of reference for--all new to me and totally unexpected. While standing just outside, walking around one of the team transporters, it was amazing to hear the sound of an F1 racer at speed. Fiorano, the private Ferrari test circuit was just next door so I couldn't resist asking if it would be possible to observe Formula 1 testing? Let's go inside and we will see, was Marco's response. He seated us in his office full of fantastic F1 history....Never in a million years did I expect a green light for my latest request. Marco walked back into his office bearing gifts --a Ferrari scarf for Genie--and a Ferrari tie for me--both of which are still with us, to this day. In his other hand, a slip of paper that he was waving in the air which he explained was to dry the ink. I couldn't believe it--it was the famous purple ink Enzo Ferrari used when signing documents. When Marco said to give this slip of paper to the security guard when passing through the gate at Fiorano we were almost speechless. We were going to spend the next who knew how many hours hanging out inside Fiorano during F1 testing by way of a slip of paper signed by Enzo Ferrari himself!

So just as quickly as the "factory visit" became the "F1 Department visit" it became the "we were passing thru the gate" of Pista di Fiorano--we were in total amazement.  As we drove down the driveway and into a parking area it seemed eerily quiet and there did not seem to be a soul around. We parked the car and walked into the pit as if we belonged. A 126C3 on stands with the entire rear end assembly separated from the engine and tub greeted us. My heart sank a bit as I felt there might be some problem and testing for the day was done. Little did I know!

While we continued to study everything in sight, someone finally showed up. He identified himself as an Alitalia Airline pilot and a friend of one of the mechanics working the test session. He informed us that everyone had gone to lunch and they would return to begin testing again in the next ninety minutes or so. As time was available, we quickly decided to leave Fiorano, grab a snack and some extra film in case photos were allowed. On the way out I asked the security guard if we could have the coveted slip of paper signed by Enzo Ferrari that would insure our re-entry. He not only returned it but suggested that on our return we should just show it to him and keep it as a souvenir. This entry document (a real keeper to this day) refers to Signor Freedman and Signorina Gennaro (Genie's maiden name) spelled with the Italian "G" rather than the Americanized "J"!

On our return, the team was there and, as if we knew exactly when to return, was just beginning to pick up their tools and put the 126 back together. It was really special to watch. No one seemed to care where we stood or sat, what we watched or how close we got to the work at hand. I was completely amazed at what we were being allowed to be part of. I learned from the airline pilot that the individual who seemed to be the point man heading up the test session was Piero Lardi Ferrari, son of Enzo Ferrari. At the time, my knowledge of Piero was limited so to meet him under those circumstances was really special.

All of a sudden, the 126C3 was back on the ground and as if on cue (and I suppose it was) Rene Arnoux pulled up to the pit, hopped out of the Ferrari of the day, greeted one and all while pulling the upper part of his suit up and grabbed his helmet. Before we knew it, he was strapped in and ready to go. The sound of a Formula 1 racecar when first fired is pretty extreme if you are in close quarters and the piercing volume for sure caught Genie by surprise--but in good-spirited way--providing further proof for me that she was a keeper!

Following a couple of installation laps and a short return to the pit for a few adjustments, two long test sessions followed. The sound, the speed, the place we were in, the team and just all of it, was seriously the stuff of My Maximum Hobby Shop Dreams!  All the while, we were just simply welcome to hang out like we belonged and were part of the gang.

Just as suddenly as it had all begun, very late in the afternoon the session was suddenly over. We took a few more photos among the many already taken, reluctantly said our goodbyes and we were off to the Hotel.     

On the drive back to the Fini, we marveled over the day we had just experienced. How did it all happen? Why were we allowed to go everywhere--see everything? Did Genie being of Italian heritage have something to do with our open door welcome?!!  Eventually, we learned the truth. It was because of Sepp's  Mercedes-Benz connections to Fiat. Our appointment had actually been arranged by the office of Gianni Agnelli, at that time, the head of the Fiat empire. Therefore, each time I asked.....someone must have said to someone--it's the visitors from Angelli's office.....and all the while, I thought it was our charming selves!!!

Our trip continued back up the other side of Italy into Monaco, France and Switzerland through Germany and then the UK including a try at getting married in Geneva where we did not have all of the required documents with us followed by a try in London where we did not have the time to fulfill the required number of days for official residency.........just to let you know we did finally make it official, surprised everyone and eloped while at home in the US a few short months later.     

Since that unbelievable day, we have had the good fortune to visit the factory often, visit the F1 Department as the years passed, on occasion observe F1 test sessions and have our own test drives on Fiorano with great Ferrari's of the moment. All are more stories that are the stuff of My Hobby Shop for another day. While our first visit was truly memorable to the extreme--we have never, even for a moment, failed to have that really special feeling when arriving at the Ferrari factory--just like September 1983........the stuff of "My Hobby Shop" dreams.

We hope you have enjoyed another of those stories from along the way!

All the best,

Doug and Genie            
 
Douglas Freedman
Motor Club Events, LLC
RIDE'em, DRIVE'em, RACE'em and don't forget to SHOW'em!
2575 Peachtree Road NE.
Suite 303
Atlanta, GA. 30305
 
Office 404.237.2633
Fax 404.237.2644
Cell 404.805.1650
 
info@motorclubevents.com
douglasfreedman@msn.com
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