Re: New Maseratis?

[Fred & Mel Zimmermann <fredmelzimm@domain.elided>]

Jim,
You stated "The new generation Maseratis are being built by Ferrari". I would like
to comment on that. My wife and I had the pleasure of watching the Mille Miglia
two years ago and then touring both the Maserati and the Ferrari factories. The
Maserati factory is in Modena and the Ferrari is in Maranello (sp?) They are both
basically the same type of a production facility, but definitely separate. It's
interesting to point out that one man assemblies the engines -from start to finish
at both facilities. This assignment is a highly sought after and prestigious
position! In both factories the cars are assembled as follows: There is an
enormous U shaped rail that guides large cradles that support the cars being
assembled. This U shaped rail is some 30 feet above the ground and it occupies
almost the equivalent of a football field. The movement of the cradles are timed.
Each time the cradles are moved there are warning beepers that sound about a
minute or two before movement begins. The movement is about 25 or so feet each
time to the next work station. The first work stations start with the exhaust
system and rear suspension etc. all of the under carriage assembly. This continues
until the car goes to about 20+ work stations. There are QC inspectors at each
work station. We were told by our guide that if work is not completed within the
allotted time there is a "Delay Button" that may be pressed by the supervisor of
each work station. Both guides were very proud to advise us that there had not
been a delay initiated for some very long time. The number was in the hundreds of
days and I just don't remember how many days they both said. They were different
numbers. I do remember that. We did witness, on two occasions (at the Ferrari
factory) a member of another work station, rush the the next station to help the
team finish after the first buzzer went off. Both factories were very
professional, clean (read very clean) and the folks that were on the line seemed
to be sharp and enjoying what they were doing.
The point of all of this dribble is that the factories are not in the same place.
They do, however have lots in common. I am in electronic manufacturing, so I was
very interested in their processes. I don't remember seeing the name of the
cradle/rail maker. If I did see it, I probably could not have pronounced it
properly. They were both evidently made by the same maker. This may be supporting
the original point that Maserati's are made by Ferrari, but they are definitely
made in different factories. They are also both beautiful and this response to
your original posting has me drooling! We were not allowed to see the Alfa
factory, although we had a personal guide through the Museum.  We can't wait to go
back to Italy. We drove a rented 156 twin spark and if they were available here in
the US, I would be down at the dealer now.
Fred Zimmermann
67 Duetto
69 Berlina
71 GTV
53 Chevy Pickup

James Bratek wrote:

> > - - many digesters have said they'd pony-up cash for a new Alfa if it were
> > available. How many of youse guys will be buying a used 2002 Maser in a few
> > years after they've taken their big depreciation hit? I imagine, like a used
> > Alfa or Ferrari, that the purchase price of a used one will be quite
> > reasonable compared to the cost of proper checkbook maintenance and repair.
>
> The new generation Maseratis are being built by Ferrari, and since Ferraris
> tend to keep their values pretty high, I'd expect the same for the new
> Maseratis. Yet another incentive for Ferrari to acquire operations of Alfa.
> However, if that happens, the days of $5,000 used late-model Alfas are over.
> Good news or bad news, depending on your income level.
>
> Jim
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