A rare photo of a Ferrari GTS Turbo in the Cagli piazza.
Photo by Mike Williams
By William O'Brien
How do you measure a man? Is it his job, his wife, or perhaps his car? In Italy, balancing a well-groomed appearance with family and a personal reputation creates the bella figura, the Italian concept of valuing internal and external beauty. For many Italians, there is no greater symbol of Italian style and sophistication than an automobile, especially a Ferrari.
“People think of pizza, the mafia, and fast cars as Italian stereotypes, but they’re true,” says Valentina Mangani, a 23-year-old Urbino student. “These [symbols of Italian culture] are engrained in our hearts, and Ferrari is at the top,” she says. “A Ferrari is like a gem.”
While nearly all Cagliese men seem enchanted by the power and beauty of Ferrari, very few actually live this dream. Oneof the fortunate is Oscar Buccarini. The elderly Cagli businessman is among the rare group of individuals to obtain a Ferrari GTS Turbo. Buccarini owns the Tam Tam clothing store in old Cagli. Like many of the young Cagli boys, Buccarini saw Ferrari as a distant dream in his youth. “When I was very young, I saw Ferrari in a special light. I think everyone feels that way about Ferrari.” After years of hard work, the purchase eventually became a possibility.
Enzo Ferrari began his company in 1928. His unique brand of fast and flashy luxury cars has been the object of international fascination ever since. For many, Ferraris embody excitement, affluence, and power. And while few can afford such a prestigious vehicle, the love for Ferrari is widespread and begins at a young age.
“If you’re an Italian boy, you prefer a Ferrari to money, girls, sports, and fashion,” says Marco Volpi, the owner of the Volpi car dealership. “There are lots of luxury cars, like the Porsche and Lamborghini, but nothing compares to a Ferrari.”
As a car dealer, Volpi drives Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagens, and BMWs on a regular basis. These days, he says, a low-end Ferrari begins �,000 Euros or about $223,000. Only once has he driven a Ferrari. “I was really excited, of course; it was almost too much,” he says. The thrill and joy of his first-hand encounter with Ferrari is physically visible, as he anxiously moves around his chair and pretends to grip a steering wheel. Volpi says he reached 250 kilometers per hour on his Ferrari test drive. For him, it is an unforgettable memory.
Despite the Italians’ clear fascination with Ferrari and the associated lifestyle, nowhere in Cagli or its neighboring towns can one buy a Ferrari. Nor can the car be ordered except through a dealer. Modena, a city over 160 miles away is the closest dealership, Volpi says.
Although the car remains elusive for most, the love of Ferrari is especially present on Cagli’s streets when Ferrari owners bring their cars to Piazza Matteotti for a show. According to Volpi, the car maintains a strong presence partially because a retailer existed in Pesaro until about 10 years ago.
With international recognition and a history of local ties, it’s no wonder that young Cagliese remain captivated by the dream of driving and owning a Ferrari. “Ferrari is famous for being Italy’s luxury car. It’s associated with money and is the pinnacle of Italian culture,” says market vendor Omar Martini. “Of course, I would drive very fast.” Ferrari is a very special sports car, says auto-supply vendor Adriano Pesaresi. “It’s part of Italian history, almost like a myth.” Buccarini’s Ferrari has been part of Cagli’s history for more than 20 years.
“We decided to buy this car at the end of the eighties because the business was going very well. Having a car such as a Ferrari means having a very good name in the business world,” he says. Buccarini purchased the car in 1988 for 105 million lira. “When I bought the car, it was very expensive. After 20 years, I understand it was not so expensive. It is still just as valuable today.”
Not only did the car represent Buccarini’s success, but it actually aided his business interactions. When meeting with an especially important client, he always brought along his Ferrari. “They enjoyed it very much,” he says. “Having a Ferrari gives you a particular prestige in the eyes of other business owners.”
Despite his apparent wealth, Buccarini has a modest, unimposing manner. He speaks hesitantly at times. I am not a boastful man, he says, I don’t like to talk about myself so much. Naturally, owning such an expensive vehicle is a distinguishing feature. Buccarini says he does not have any friends in Cagli who own Ferraris, although there are about 40-45 drivers in the greater Pesaro region.
In contrast to the great wealth, speed, and muscle generally associated with Ferrari cars, Buccarini insists that his Ferrari GTS Turbo has served a more enriching, therapeutic purpose. Driving his Ferrari became a method of relaxation. “I bought this car 20 years ago. It has a big effect on the spirit,” he says. “You sit and drive 20 kilometers, and you feel much, much better.”
“I remember the first few times I drove my Ferrari. I would sweat profusely because I was so excited.” For Buccarini, only one other pastime can match the effect of his car: basketball. Buccarini says he has been the president of Cagli basketball for about 30 years. “I believe in basket and Ferrari,” he says.
A view from behind Buccarini's Ferrari GTS Turbo.
Photo by Michael Movido
Showing off and driving fast doesn’t really matter to Buccarini. In fact, his beloved Ferrari is in storage, except for special occasions. Driving such a vehicle is not something to abuse, he says. “I only drive when I have that feeling.”
Italian culture seems to strike a special balance between brand-name sophistication and intimate family life. For Buccarini, a successful businessman with a rare automobile, life is still about enjoyment and the company of those you care for. Driving a Ferrari 10 kilometers is like eating pizza with my basketball team, he says. “It’s a joy; it’s good for my heart.”
Web production by Sylvia DuBeau
