In October last year Marenello Concessionaires, Britains oldest and largest Ferrari dealer, was bought by the Sytner Group, itself part of the energetic American ex-Ferrari racer Roger Penske’s automotive empire.

Just outside the village of Thorpe, few miles from the Concessionaires listed Art Deco, Egham, showrooms, you will find the impressive Marenello Service Department, in a magnificently equipped, purpose built modern factory complex.

The new owners feel that ‘the Service boys’ have been hiding their quartz-halogens under a bushel too long and are making a push to raise awareness of their facilities, and ability to service Ferraris, old and new, from their £7,000,000 stock inventory. On Sunday April 27 the roads around Thorpe throbbed to the tune of more than the average daily quota of Ferraris as around 200 cars homed in on the complex for an open day. The onset of torrential rain failed to stop play or dampen spirits but it did force the guests to stop admiring their own ticking beasts and shelter in the service area. This was no inconvenience as each of the 20 service bays was occupied for the day by an immaculate example of Ferrrari’s history, from the 246 Dino onwards.

While guests mingled amongst the F40s and F50s, the Dinos and Enzos, and waited for a blast around the block in one of the latest models, a big screen entertained with ‘vintage’ motor racing films and more down-to-earth appetites were sated with an endless supply of ‘all-day breakfast’ baps. Live coverage of the afternoon’s Spanish Grand Prix added piquancy to what was already a perfect Ferrari-day when the team scored a one-two. A big cheer went up for Ferrari – and Marenello.