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Mario Righini Collection – Profile and Photo Gallery

Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder

In 2009 Sports Car Digest toured the Mario Righini Collection, one of the more exceptional private car collections in Italy, if not the world. Located outside Modena in Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia, the Righini Collection is remarkable for many reasons.

To call the Righini Collection unique does not do it justice, as the setting alone — a 15th century castle set among Lambrusco vineyards — is incomparable as are the cars and the circumstances surrounding their addition to the Righini family.

As the story goes, Righini’s family owned a scrap yard that, in cooperation with the Italian government during World War II, was used to tear down “obsolete” vehicles for their raw materials. Fortunately, Righini’s family had to foresight to recognize that not all cars are created equal and they kept the significant vehicles that passed through their scrap yard.

After the war, Mario Righini took over the successful family business and began adding to the collection, ultimately ending up with more than 350 cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors and other automobilia that we see today. As imagined, the collection favors Italian forms of transportation, but goes well beyond the borders of Italy.

Within the grounds of the castle, the Righini Collection is housed principally in two former horse stables and grouped by pre and post-war. While the pictures do their best to tell the story, it is still difficult to convey the amazement over seeing dozens of incredible cars parked bumper-to-bumper. Please do not think that means the collection is not well attended or appreciated because most are in strong working order and have been wonderfully preserved or restored.

The quality of the Mario Righini Collection is staggering, including the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix. Another headline is the Auto Avio Costruzioni (AAC) Type 815, the first car Enzo Ferrari built after leaving Alfa Romeo. Ferrari built two AAC and this particular car was raced in the 1940 Mille Miglia by racing legend Alberto Ascari. The Righini’s example is the only surviving AAC.

In addition to the highlighted cars, the pre-war stable includes ex-military Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare; Alfa Romeo RL SS Corto Torpedo; Salmson racing car; 1894 Velo Benz (first in the series); plus several Bugattis, Fiats, Lancias and other Alfas.

The post-war collection includes a row of Alfa Romeos, starting with a modern SZ, followed by a Giulia TZ, Giuletta SZ and 1900C SS Coupe Speciale. The same room also featured a De Tomaso Pantera; Maserati Mistral; Ferrari 275 GTB and 365 GTB/4 Daytona; ASA 1000 GT Spider; Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster; Lamborghini 350GT and Stanguellini Formula Junior Race Car. Oh yeah, we almost forgot the ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4.

As amazing as the collection was to experience, we are a little worried about what comes next. Similar to the feeling after climbing Mount Everest (or so we hear), how on earth can you top the Mario Righini Collection?

We split up pictures from the Mario Righini Collection into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can by found on the last page of the gallery and gives a comprehensive view of all photographs.

Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery

 

AAC Type 815 and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
AAC Type 815 and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Lancia Stratos
Lancia Stratos
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS1
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Cisitalia D46
Cisitalia D46
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
ASA 1000 GT Spider
ASA 1000 GT Spider
ASA 1000 GT Spider
ASA 1000 GT Spider
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Alfa Romeo RL SS Corto Torpedo
Alfa Romeo RL SS Corto Torpedo
Interior of the 7 liter Fiat Chiribiri
Interior of the 7 liter Fiat Chiribiri
From left, Bugatti, Salmson Race Car and Fiat
From left, Bugatti, Salmson Race Car and Fiat
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Back barn at the Mario Righini Collection
Back barn at the Mario Righini Collection
Alfa Romeo SZ
Alfa Romeo SZ

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Lamborghini 350 GT
Lamborghini 350 GT
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Ex-Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Ex-Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia
Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia
Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia
Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Auto Avio Costruzioni (AAC) Type 815, the first car Enzo Ferrari built after leaving Alfa Romeo. Ferrari built two AAC and this particular car was raced in the 1940 Mille Miglia by racing legend Alberto Ascari; only surviving AAC.
Auto Avio Costruzioni (AAC) Type 815, the first car Enzo Ferrari built after leaving Alfa Romeo. Ferrari built two AAC and this particular car was raced in the 1940 Mille Miglia by racing legend Alberto Ascari; only surviving AAC.
Ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4
Ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4
Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia
Castello di Panzano Castelfranco Emilia
BMW 328
BMW 328
BMW 328, Ferrari 328, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Lancia Stratos and Cisitalia D46
BMW 328, Ferrari 328, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Lancia Stratos and Cisitalia D46

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare and Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare and Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare
Officine Meccaniche
Officine Meccaniche
Officine Meccaniche
Officine Meccaniche
Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

This 7 liter Fiat Chiribiri reportedly broke the world speed record for the timed kilometer from a flying start in 1912.
This 7 liter Fiat Chiribiri reportedly broke the world speed record for the timed kilometer from a flying start in 1912.
Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Lancia Lambda
Lancia Lambda
Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Pre-War Collection of Mario Righini
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Colonial Torpedo Militare
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS sporting modern Mille Miglia participation
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS sporting modern Mille Miglia participation
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato
Fiat Abarth Rally Car
Fiat Abarth Rally Car
Fiat Abarth Rally Car
Fiat Abarth Rally Car
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ
ASA 1000 GT Spider
ASA 1000 GT Spider

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

 

Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder, AAC Type 815 and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder, AAC Type 815 and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Stanguellini Formula Junior Race Car
Stanguellini Formula Junior Race Car
Stanguellini Formula Junior Race Car
Stanguellini Formula Junior Race Car
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 that was owned and raced by Tazio Nuvolari to victory at the 1933 Targa Florio and Monza Grand Prix

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten

 

Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS
De Tomaso Pantera, Alfa Romeo SZ and Maserati Mistral
De Tomaso Pantera, Alfa Romeo SZ and Maserati Mistral
Maserati Mistral, Lamborghini 350 GT and Stanguellini Formula Junior
Maserati Mistral, Lamborghini 350 GT and Stanguellini Formula Junior
Lamborghini 350 GT
Lamborghini 350 GT
Mario Righini Collection
Mario Righini Collection
Maserati Mistral
Maserati Mistral

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven

 

Mario Righini Collection
Mario Righini Collection
Ferrari 275 GTB
Ferrari 275 GTB
Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe Speciale by Carrozzeria Boano was displayed at the 1955 Torino Motor Show
Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe Speciale by Carrozzeria Boano was displayed at the 1955 Torino Motor Show
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
De Tomaso Pantera
De Tomaso Pantera

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Twelve

 

Ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4
Ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4
1894 Velobenz
1894 Velobenz
Ex-Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Ex-Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d'Este
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d’Este
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini
Motorcycle Collection of Mario Righini

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Featured Photo Gallery Page Thirteen

 

De Tomaso Pantera
De Tomaso Pantera
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder
Ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4
Ex-Gilles Villeneuve Ferrari 312 T4
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder, AAC Type 815 and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder, AAC Type 815 and Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d'Este
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Villa d’Este

 

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Mario Righini Collection – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

[nggallery id=876 images=15]

 

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[Source: photos: Sports Car Digest]