The Panini Collection

The Panini Museum I
A Collection of Maseratis

In Italian folklore, if a swallow (rondine) nests in your house, it brings with it 'Good Luck'. This folklore nurtured a tradition that encouraged children to go out onto their rooftops and by waving white flags, or even a white cloth attached to a broomstick, would encourage the migrating swallows to nest in their houses. This is the story behind a charming cartoon shown to me by Dott. Matteo Panini which pictures his father Umberto as a 'child' on his rooftop waving a white flag attached to an upturned trident. It is not swallows that Sig Panini is encouraging to nest in his house but a collection of flying Maseratis. Behind this cartoon lies a modern tale of a man who, in response to an outcry of sentiment from the people of Modena, stepped in and purchased the entire Maserati factory's historic collection when there were fears that it was about to be sold off and dispersed at auction. The collection is now safely housed for the nation in a purpose built air-conditioned museum adjoining the family home just outside Modena.
My first visit to the Panini Museum coincided with some of the classic Maseratis being out on loan, fortunately my second visit was timed just right!
I would like to thank Dott. Matteo Panini for allowing me to photograph his fabulous collection and for allowing me to publish these photographs on my site.


Click on any small image for a larger picture

Home to one of the finest Maserati collections in the world.


This impressive mosaic greeted me as I entered.


This impressive 1936 Tipo 6CM is the earliest Maserati in the collection.


A row of classic Maseratis, unfortunately some of the collection including 'Eldorado' were out on loan at the time of my first visit.


	The early Allemano bodied A6G-2000/C.


3500GT


	5000GT: In 1958 Maserati were asked by the Shah of Persia to build a one-off road car based on the 450S. The Maserati engineers decided to use a modified version of the 3500GT's tubular chassis into which went the massive V8 5-litre 4-cam engine with body styling by Touring. A second car almost identical to the Shah's car was presented at the 1959 Turin Motor Show. A total of 34 cars were produced between 1959 and 1964. The car shown here is one of 22 5000GTs designed by Allemano.


Quattroporte


	Ghibli Coupé


Ghibli Spyder


	This prototype, the 'Simun', named after another wind, was produced by Ghia and first shown in 1968. It was designed by Giugiaro, then working for Carrozzeria Ghia, on the 4.2-litre V8 chassis and was to be a competitor for the 'Indy'. Alas it never saw production.


Launched in Paris in 1973, the Khamsin, named after an Egyptian desert wind, was a replacement for the Ghibli and was also known as the Tipo 120. Designed by Bertone, the Khamsin was powered by a 5-litre V8 engine producing 280 bhp at 5500 rpm. The energy crisis of the same year resulted in a cut in the power output as manufacturers placed their emphasis on comfort.


	Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971 the Giugiaro designed Bora caused a sensation. Powered by a 4.7-litre V8 producing 310 bhp at 6000 rpm it was truly one of the supercars of the seventies. In 1977 engine capacity was increased to 5-litres. Produced between 1971 and 1979


Merak 'Turbo' prototype.


	Quattroporte 'Royale'


Barchetta 'Stradale'


	The Mistral was produced between 1963-70 and proved to be one of Maseratis most successful cars with nearly a 1000 models being produced. It was powered by a 3.7-litre engine producing 245 bhp at 5500 rpm. A 4-litre version was available as an option. Designed by Frua, it was also available in a spider version


The Maserati T4 250cc motorcycle


	The Maserati T4 (Tempi 4) 250cc 4-stroke motorcycle engine


An unnamed Maserati Coupé prototype designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it was intended as a replacement for the 'Indy'. First shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1973 it has become known as the 124.


	The prototype Coupé, from the Panini Museum, is seen here outside the Candini Workshop. Giuseppe Candini carries out all maintenance on the Maserati road cars of the Panini Collection.


Rear view of the '124'. It has an independent rear suspension set-up, which was unusual for Maserati at that time.


	The V8 4.7-litre Indy engine of the 124.


The luxurious interior of the '124'.


	Note the brass buckles on the side of the seats and the 'saddle bag' type door pockets.


Outside his Modena workshop, Giuseppe Candini, having just road tested the Bora assures Dott. Matteo Panini that his car is just fine!


	Note the trade plates. This car has covered only 300Km and was recently featured in an article in the Italian magazine 'RUOTTECLASSICHE'. The Bora was tested against the Ferrari 365/GT4 BB and the Lamborghini Countach LP 400.


Dott Panini's beautiful 4.9-litre Bora which produced acceleration figures of 0-100km in 6.5 secs and the standing kilometre in 26.9 secs. Top speed in fifth gear was 271,2 km/h.



ANOTHER VISIT TO THE PANINI MUSEUM.

Home to one of the finest Maserati collections in the world.

This impressive mosaic greeted me as I entered.

This impressive 1936 Tipo 6CM is the earliest Maserati in the collection.

A row of classic Maseratis, unfortunately some of the collection including 'Eldorado' were out on loan at the time of my first visit.

The early Allemano bodied A6G-2000/C.

3500GT

Quattroporte

Ghibli Coupé

Ghibli Spyder

This prototype, the 'Simun', named after another wind, was produced by Ghia and first shown in 1968. It was designed by Giugiaro, then working for Carrozzeria Ghia, on the 4.2-litre V8 chassis and was to be a competitor for the 'Indy'. Alas it never saw production.

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971 the Giugiaro designed Bora caused a sensation. Powered by a 4.7-litre V8 producing 310 bhp at 6000 rpm it was truly one of the supercars of the seventies. In 1977 engine capacity was increased to 5-litres. Produced between 1971 and 1979

Merak 'Turbo' prototype.

Quattroporte 'Royale'

Barchetta 'Stradale'

The Maserati T4 250cc motorcycle

The Maserati T4 (Tempi 4) 250cc 4-stroke motorcycle engine

An unnamed Maserati Coupé prototype designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it was intended as a replacement for the 'Indy'. First shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1973 it has become known as the 124.

The prototype Coupé, from the Panini Museum, is seen here outside the Candini Workshop. Giuseppe Candini carries out all maintenance on the Maserati road cars of the Panini Collection.

Rear view of the '124'. It has an independent rear suspension set-up, which was unusual for Maserati at that time.

The V8 4.7-litre Indy engine of the 124.

The luxurious interior of the '124'.

Note the brass buckles on the side of the seats and the 'saddle bag' type door pockets.

Outside his Modena workshop, Giuseppe Candini, having just road tested the Bora assures Dott. Matteo Panini that his car is just fine!

Note the trade plates. This car has covered only 300Km and was recently featured in an article in the Italian magazine 'RUOTTECLASSICHE'. The Bora was tested against the Ferrari 365/GT4 BB and the Lamborghini Countach LP 400.

Dott Panini's beautiful 4.9-litre Bora which produced acceleration figures of 0-100km in 6.5 secs and the standing kilometre in 26.9 secs. Top speed in fifth gear was 271,2 km/h.

The Maserati T4 (Tempi 4) 250cc
4-stroke motorcycle engine

The prototype Coupé, from the Panini Museum, is seen here outside the Candini Workshop.
Giuseppe Candini carries out all maintenance on the Maserati road cars of the Panini Collection.