Little Italy... in Melbourne

In an industrial back street of inner Melbourne is a non-descript building. One you might drive past without a second look. Save for a flash of red…

Was that a Ferrari? Nah, it couldn’t be, not here. But it is.

That nondescript building is the home of Maranello Motorsport – a dream factory of sorts. Where gobsmacked boys of all ages leave nose and hand imprints on the windows trying to get a better look at the supercars inside.

Maranello Motorsport buys and sells road and competition Ferraris and prepares cars for well-heeled 'gentlemen' racers and 'stars' alike. Established by ex-Prancing Horse Racing manager Mark Coffey from the remnants of Nations Cup sportscar racing. Maranello Motorsport has the biggest stable of racing Ferraris in the country and a hand-picked showroom of used and new Ferrari road and race cars.

It’s wall-to-wall ‘rosso corsa’ red.

Taking pride of place in the front window (that flash of red) is the Momo-liveried Ferrari 333SP, a stunning early 1990s sports prototype built for the US IMSA and European FIA Sportscar series. Powered by a 575hp 4.0-litre V12, the 333SP was Ferrari’s first sports prototype in 20 years and was built by Italian tuning house Michelotto, with which Maranello has a close relationship. It’s a significant car.

Behind it is Coffey’s personal favourite (he owns it), a striking 1992 F40 GTE, the race version of one of Ferrari’s most iconic modern models. Another Michelotto machine, this car won the 1994 Italian GT Championship and packs a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V8 that can generate up to 720hp. After the GTE, Maranello’s stock 470hp F40 looks somewhat anaemic.

Flanking these race rockets are road cars including a Testa Rossa, 360 Challenge Stradale, 328 Rossa Corse and a 550 Maranello.

Coffey’s glass-walled office is crammed with Ferrari memorabilia, from ex-Ferrari F1 driver Eddie Irvine’s race suit to model cars – it’s a shrine to a big factory in a small town in northern Italy and the window behind his desk looks out at the racy red rump of a spanking new 458 Italia.

There’s a high-tech computer racing game in the showroom for the quiet times or letting off steam and the obligatory espresso machine. Maranello runs on coffee and as his name might suggest, Coffey is a handy barista. One strong latte please, Marco!

The real action happens in the workshop where eight to 10 Ferraris (and on our visit, one Lamborghini LP600 GT3) are always being serviced. It’s tight in here, and even the workshop driveway is crammed with another three 430 Challenge racecars awaiting attention from the four flat-out mechanics.

Against the opposite wall is a stunning silver Berlinetta Boxer 512, one of Ferrari’s 1970s icons.

The 'gun' racecar here is the 458 Italia GT3 with which Danish (and sometime Aussie) driver Allan Simonsen shattered the Bathurst lap record by almost two seconds. It shares one side of the ’shop with a trio of 430 GT3s, the most sinister of which is the more powerful matt-black Kessel Racing version.

All around is the paraphernalia of racing and legend: a Ferrari dealership sign, the green bonnet of an Aston Martin with a gorgeous chromed ‘Superleggera’ badge running along one edge. There’s also a complete spare V8 engine propped up against a wall, lightweight racing wheels stacked here and there and a sexy calendar to keep the boys’ spirits up.

Ferraris, coffee and sexy curves – A snapshot of the Italian way of life in a back street in Richmond, Melbourne? Nah, it couldn’t be.