On top of its permanent exhibits, the Nationales Automuseum in Dietzhölztal, Germany, currently offers visitors an unforgettable journey into the history of one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands – Ferrari.
After ascending to the second floor of the museum, you are instantly immersed in Ferrari’s storied legacy, with a remarkable display of its most celebrated road and race cars. From hypercars to championship-winning Formula 1 machines, rare custom builds, and historic endurance racers, the exhibit captures the essence of Ferrari’s evolution. It’s a sensory feast, blending high-performance engineering, stunning design, and Maranello’s rich motorsport heritage.
The first display that greets you is a tribute to Ferrari’s exclusive supercar lineage – the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. It’s known as the ‘Big Five,’ but with the recent unveiling of the F80, I’m guessing it will soon become the ‘Big Six.’
Each of these cars represents the pinnacle of design and performance in its era. The 288 GTO on display has a special history, having been owned by Albert Uderzo, the French comic book artist and co-creator of Asterix.
Next to it sits the F40, the least rare in the series, with 1,311 units produced. But for many enthusiasts, including myself, it’s the most desirable. The F50, with only 349 examples, is a true rarity, and the current exhibit includes one of just two factory-issued models featuring gold-colored wheels, a nod to Ferrari’s vintage Formula 1 cars.
The Enzo marked the debut of the F140 engine – a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 that drew heavily from Formula 1 technology and became the heart of Ferrari’s hypercar lineage. Not only did the F140 engine propel the Enzo to a blistering 3.3-second 0-60mph time, but it also laid the foundations for the hybrid-assisted F140 V12 in the LaFerrari, which sits next to it in the display.
Two standout models from the 1970s loom behind – the 1972 312B and the 1973 312 BB-74. The latter is especially significant as it was the first Ferrari driven by the legendary Niki Lauda, who shared the car with drivers like Jacky Ickx, Clay Regazzoni, and Arturo Merzario.
Wandering deeper into the exhibit, I encountered another two rare Ferrari race cars: the 1952 Mille Miglia-winning 250 S – the only one of its kind – and the 275 S Spyder Vignale, which also competed in the same prestigious race.
The exhibit then transitions to Ferrari’s endurance racing legacy, where one of the most beautiful race cars ever made – the 330 P3 – takes center stage. This car competed against the Ford GT40s in the 1966 Le Mans, driven by Lorenzo Bandini and Jean Guichet. By 1967, it had been modified with Drogo bodywork and was renamed the 412P, racing under the North American Racing Team banner with Pedro Rodríguez and Giancarlo Baghetti at the wheel. It secured third place at the ’67 24 Hours of Daytona, contributing to Ferrari’s triple victory.
Nearby, a rare and highly collectible 1966 Dino 206 S Spyder, one of just 18 ever built, and powered by a 2.0L V6 engine producing 220hp.
Also on display is the F2004, the car that helped Michael Schumacher claim his fifth F1 World Championship with Ferrari. This machine earned eight victories from 11 races. The F2004 is Ferrari’s most successful Formula 1 car, securing 18 podium finishes from 18 races. For fans of both Ferrari and Schumacher, this car embodies the height of the Scuderia’s dominance in F1.
The F2007, visible from outside the museum, recalls another legendary moment in Ferrari’s history. This car commemorates Kimi Räikkönen’s thrilling 2007 driver’s title, Ferrari’s most recent driver’s championship.
The Ferrari Exhibition also boasts three bespoke Pininfarina masterpieces, including a 1957 250 GT Speciale, crafted for Princess Réthy, the wife of Belgian King Leopold III, and a 1954 250 MM, originally commissioned for the wife of Baron Thyssen and later owned by Aga Khan. Completing this rare collection is the 1961 250 GT Speciale, which debuted at the London Motor Show the same year.
In another corner, a unique replica pit box showcases a 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter – the first Ferrari race car to arrive in America. This particular 212 finished second in the Carrera Panamericana, driven by Ascari and Villoresi, just behind an identical Ferrari driven by Taruffi and Chinetti, which no longer exists.
Two legendary Barchettas round off the collection – the 1964 Nürburgring-winning 275/330P and the Dino 196/246 SP, Ferrari’s first mid-engine car that triumphed in the Targa Florio twice and won the 1962 European Hill Climb Championship.
The Ferrari exhibit at the Nationales Automuseum offers an immersive journey through Ferrari’s heritage. It’s a celebration not just of Ferrari’s technological feats but of the artistry and passion that have defined the brand for over 80 years. Do check it out in person if you have the opportunity.
Vladimir Ljadov
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