Sergio Scaglietti dies at 91

Sergio Scaglietti founded his Carrozzeria Scaglietti in 1951 and during the 1950s, the 1960s and the 1970s he worked closely with Enzo Ferrari and indelibly linked his name with the Italian carmaker, by building the body of some among the most iconic cars of all-time.

He was known for his ability in working with aluminum, and directly sculpted his designs handbeating sheet aluminum without sketching ideas on paper.

One of his most famous creations is the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, built in 22 units from 1957 to 1958.

The car, known for its trademark “pontoon fenders” design, entered 19 international championship races from 1958 through 1961 emerging with 10 victories and earning legendary status among collectors.

In 2008 and 2011, a 1957 and a 1958 Ferrari 250 TR were sold for $12.1 million and $16.4 million respectively, setting new world records for classic car sales.

Many other Ferrari classic models were built by Scaglietti until the 1970s, mostly based on designs by Pinin Farina.

Among these are the 250 California, 250 GTO, 250 Tour de France, the 500 Mondial and the custom Ferrari 375 MM created in 1954 for Italian movie director Roberto Rossellini and his wife Ingrid Bergman.

In 1975 Ferrari acquired “Scaglietti Works” and today the coachbuilding facility serves as the main bodyshop where Ferrari assmbles the aluminum frames and bodies of its models.

In recent years Ferrari has paid homage to Sergio Scaglietti by naming after him the 612 Scaglietti.

Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo has commented: “Today is a sad day for Ferrari. We lost a friend, a travel companion, a man who had his name forever connected to the Prancing Horse. Sergio Scaglietti leaves behind the legacy of an artist who with his talent created some of the most beautiful cars of our history. Who had the luck to know him like I did will also remember him as a straightforward and honest man, completely dedicated to his work. We will miss him.”

For additional information check this interesting article published by the Washington Post.

Sergio Scaglietti – Short Biography

Sergio Scaglietti was born in Modena on January 9th, 1920. Since his childhood he had a passion for creating automobile: at the age of 8 he used to make toy cars using clay and wire.

In 1933, after his father’s death, he began working at a body shop.

In 1951 he founded his coachbuilding company “Carrozzeria Scaglietti”. Started as an auto body repair shop, the company – located across the road from Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello – soon gained Enzo Ferrari’s trust and respect.

In 1959 Scaglietti started working in his studio together with sons Oscar and Claudio.

He worked as an external supplier for Ferrari until 1975, when the Italian carmaker acquired majority stakes in “Scaglietti Works” company. He retired in the mid-1980s.

Sergio Scaglietti died at his Modena home on November 20th, 2011 at the age of 91.