Last month an unprecedented gathering of ultra-rare and exclusive Pagani Zonda supercars took place in Italy with a three day rally taking them on a tour that kicked off at the Modena factory and ended at the Museo Nicolis in Villafranca di Verona. So rare are these hand-built supercars that to see two together at the same time is highly unusual, never mind the double figure numbers took part in this factory-organised event, the second edition of the international meeting which is titled 'Vanishing Point'.

Built by Pagani Automobili in Modena at a trickle and with an obsessive attention to its intricate detail, the Pagani Zonda supercars are powered by AMG-built Mercedes-Benz V12 engines and offer breathtaking supercar performance. The latest Zonda model to join the line-up is the 650bhp 7.3-litre V12 Zonda F Roadster which was introduced at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. The 'F' designation on the Roadster, which covers 0 to 200km/h in 9.8 seconds and boasts 780Nm of torque, is a tribute to company founder fellow Argentinean Horacio Pagani, who was inspired and supported in his dream to build an eponymous supercar.

The meeting took place last month over three days, starting on day one from the Modena factory gates and travelling to Chioggia and Abano Terme. Day two saw the cars, which included four examples of the latest Zonda F (3 Coupé and 1 Roaster) leaving Terme and travelling to Montegrotto Terme, Lake Misurina, Lake Carezza before winding up at Riva del Garda. The final day saw an early morning departure from Riva del Garda, passing through Lazise and then onto the Ospedaletto Franciacorta speedway, before the cars finished up at the famous Museo Nicolis in Villafranca di Verona at tea time where they were displayed in a line outside the main entrance.

Outside the Museo Nicolis the line-up of nine Zondas made a truly awesome sight with a crowd quickly building up to inspect these pristine, powerful machines. Horacio Pagani, along with his wife, attended the unprecedented gathering of his cars.
 

The pair spent around two hours conducting a tour of the museum guided by the museum's director Luciano Nicolis, and also talking to the Zonda owners'. Onlookers were able to inspect the cars close-up: the engine bays and interiors, and the swift and easy-to-use Zonda Roadster's all-carbon hardtop was demonstrated. Before the Zondas left at around 7pm their ranks were swelled by a supercar interloper: a Lamborghini Murcielago MY2006 finished in eye-catching "verde Ithaca".

The Museo Nicolis (founded by Verona businessman Luciano Nicolis) is a real gem of a motoring museum with many rare and famous modern and historic cars joined by significant motorbikes and bicycles and even aeroplanes. Other 'technological' exhibits in the museum include typewriters, cameras and musical instruments. Just a few members of its superb collection include a Bianchi Tipo C 20-30 hp, Isotta Fraschini 8/AS Castagna, Bugatti Tipo 49 Roadster, Lancia Astura Mille Miglia Roadster, Ford Thunderbird, BMW Isetta 250 and Maserati GT3500 Spider Vignale.

The nine Zondas to arrive at the Museo Nicolis on the final leg were made up of a Zonda C12S Coupé (all carbon) #01; Zonda F Coupé (silver/carbon) #02; Zonda C12S Coupé (all silver) #03; Zonda C12S Roadster (silver/carbon) #04; Zonda F Coupé (white/carbon) #05; Zonda F Coupé "Prototype 2" (silver/carbon) #10; Zonda F Roadster (all carbon/red stripe) #16; Zonda C12S Coupé (all silver) #17 and finally a Zonda C12S Coupé (all silver) #18.

Report & Photos by Alan Guerzoni / Additional thanks to Pagani Automobili & Museo Nicolis