Greeting visitors to the Umberto Panini Motor Museum Collection, are: (left) 1957 Maserati 250 F - 2,500 cc V12 engine; and (right) 1958 Maserati 420M ‘Eldorado Special’ - 4,190 cc V8 engine. © Glen Smale
Greeting visitors to the Umberto Panini Motor Museum Collection, are: (left) 1957 Maserati 250 F - 2,500 cc V12 engine; and (right) 1958 Maserati 420M ‘Eldorado Special’ - 4,190 cc V8 engine. © Glen Smale
Museum

The Maserati Museum in Modena, Italy

The Umberto Panini Motor Museum showcases rare cars and memorabilia

Avatar photoGlen Smale

On a trip through Italy in the summer of 2024, we were fortunate enough to be granted a last look at the Umberto Panini Motor Museum Collection. It was a last look because the magnificent collection was to be relocated to a new building, which at the time of our visit, was not yet complete. The museum has been in its current location since 1994, but the new purpose-built facility will open its doors to the public in April 2025. 

Glen Smale
Entrance to the Umberto Panini Motor Museum Collection, Modena. © Glen Smale

Maserati doesn’t have its own collection of museum cars, an unusual situation today with the growth in interest of a motor manufacturer’s heritage. Like many other manufacturers, Maserati has had its ups and downs, but despite its ownership having changed numerous times, it still has a very strong and passionate following around the world.

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Glen Smale
South African-born Smale started his professional motor journalism and photography career back in 1994, but if truth be told, Glen has had a driving passion for all things motoring since a tender age. In 1997, Glen launched Autosport & Classics, a classic motoring and historic motorsport magazine covering the local scene in SA. Two years later, having sold his share in the magazine. Between 2004 and 2016 Smale has authored thirteen books covering sports cars and motor racing. In 2007 he received the Laurin and Klement ‘Design Writer of the Year’ award for his book Jaguar E-type: Portrait of a Design Icon. In 2012 his book, Porsche at Le Mans: 60 Years of Porsche Participation in the World’s Greatest Motor Race, was shortlisted in the British Sports Book Awards. Of his thirteen books, no less than seven have been on Porsche cars, perhaps suggesting where his passion lies. Glen first started writing for the only magazine dedicated entirely to the Porsche 911, namely Total 911, as far back as 2005 and still contributes to this magazine on a regular basis. He has also written for the well-known Porsche magazines in America, Excellence, for a number of years. In addition to this, Glen has contributed to the Porsche Club of North America monthly publication, Panorama, as well as a host of other titles over the years in Europe, the UK and South Africa. Away from the race track, Glen was an aspiring golfer in his younger days and represented his province in the under-18 age group for a number of years. He went on to win his University Championships and represented Rhodes University for five years, as well as playing club league golf for ten years. With both children now out of the house and working, Glen lives with his lovely German wife, Elke, in the beautiful county of Carmarthenshire in West Wales. Glen has been a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers since 1995.
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