Article Articles

Ferrari Stammtisch

By: Ron Adams

Every month in Munich, Germany, there is a little known Ferrari meeting. It is called a "Stammtisch." In German, its translation means "special table for a regular gathering." But here in particular, its meaning changes to "a very neat meeting every month of Ferraris and their owners to have dinner."

But what makes this particular Ferrari meeting so unusual is that it is not the Ferrari Club of Germany that organizes this, but the local Ferrari dealer of Munich. Yes, the dealer! How did this ever happen? Personally, I 'm not quite sure, but as I am told, many years ago, in order to thank customers for their business, the dealer, "Sport & Tourenwagen", started to have a cocktail party every month in their showroom.

Sport & Tourenwagen The Sport and Tourenwagen Ferrari dealership in Munich - if only the American dealers thought similarly....

As this evolved, the party of wine and cheese turned into a drive from the dealership through the Bavarian countryside to dinner. With each new stammtisch, Sport & Tourenwagen has taken their customers to restaurants at castles, biergartensm or lakeside country inns. And as I look back at my sunset trips through the countryside, they have been the most spectacular Ferrari drives I have ever experienced.

Needless to say, it didn't take too long for this monthly gathering to attract the attention of Ferrari owners from other cities (and dealers). And of course, everyone is invited. These days, a Stammtisch during the summer draws upwards of 40-50 Ferraris. In the past years, I have seen a variety of Ferraris. I have met with bewildered new owners with the latest Ferrari has to offer to well known collectors with cars not sold new since the 1950s.

So, every time I plan a trip back to Europe, I try my best to hit that second Wednesday of every month, even if I drive my rental car at the end of the group.

About the author: Ron Adams is a Ferrari owner, enthusiast, and model car collector. When not at home in Arizona, he's often touring the Bavarian countryside on one of his frequent trips to Germany.