Buried treasure

His name is Umberto Panini and there is little hint to his personal treasure trove in the minimalistic driveway and simple builds at his dairy farm, 'Hombre', on the outskirts of Modena.

Even the barn doors give no hint of the rich vein of motoring history they guard.

Yet Panini has the world's biggest private collection of Maseratis in a line-up that represents a unique slideshow of an amazing company that has been through seven owners and endured the depths of bankruptcy and the highs of world championship racing.

Panini, now 78, became very rich in the sticker business. Exceptionally popular since the 1960s, the stickers and cards depicting anything from football players to cartoon characters were dispensed from Panini's coin-operated machines around Italy and later, other European countries.

Panini sold out in 1988 and built up his Modena farm.

But in 1997 Modena's pride, Maserati, was sold to Fiat by its owners, de Tomaso, and the company's historic car collection was put up for auction in London.

The outcry from Italy was so strong that it awoke private support, resulting in Panini's purchase of 22 Maserati cars.

They went into his barn, adding to dozens of other cars, military vehicles, stationary racing engines, tractors and his passion, motorcycles. He even owns two immaculate Maserati motorbikes.

The bulk of the collection is arranged on either side of the barn — Maseratis to the left, others to the right — with selected models in the centre. Upstairs are motorcycles and clay bucks of prospective cars.

The early models attract the most attention, starting with the beautiful Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta that was designed by Pininfarina and valued recently at about $8 million. Its grille has been copied for the latest Maserati Quattroporte.

The car was the first and last Pinin-styled Maserati for more than 50 years because Ferrari held exclusive rights to the designer.

The collection really starts with a 1936 6CM single-seat racer that has been perfectly restored. At centre is a Tipo 250F, the V12 version of the iconic racing Maserati that sped Juan Manuel Fangio to grand prix victory in 1954.

Behind is the Stirling Moss

Eldorado' 420M and then a mid-engined Tipo 63 and a Tipo 61 'Birdcage'. The Tipo 63 got the birdcage name because of 36kg space frame chassis is made of 200 steel tubes which resemble the bars of a bird cage.

More modern cars include Mistrals and Boras, Ghiblis and Meraks, with rarities such as the Shah of Persia's 1958 5000GT by Touring, one of only four built and based on the 3500GT.

There is a 6CM racer from 1936, a prototype Simun of 1964, a prototype Chubasco V8, a one-off turbocharged Merak and one of only 52 Quattroporte III Royale models made, this 1986 example with a fridge, air-conditioning and telephone.

Panini is more impressed by his motorcycle collection — including a DKW Wankel-engined bike and a T4 250cc Maserati — but, when pressed, says he favours his 1909 Rolland-Pilan Model C which he found in terrible condition under a hedge in Bologna.

It was restored over five years in time to be the carriage for the wedding of his daughter and now sits alongside a De Dion Bouton opposite the line of Maseratis.

Anyone can visit the museum, but by appointment. The first step is to email hombre@hombre.it