La bella macchina: Addio Sergio

Sergio Scaglietti, A skillful craftsman who applied his artistry to some of the finest sports cars, the man responsible for the Ferrari 250 GTO, 250 Testa Rossa, the 500 Mondial, the 750 Monza and other great cars, died on Nov. 20. He was 91 years old.

His death early yesterday has plunged the "Prancing Horse" world into mourning.

"With Scaglietti's death a symbol of Modena has been lost" said Modena's mayor Giorgio Pighi, he added "He was an artist, who created motoring jewels that have been proven across the world"

Scaglietti was born in Modena, Italy. He got his first job at a garage at age 13. At age 17, Scaglietti, his older brother and another employee started their own garage across the street from Ferrari's Scuderia factory. Soon after that, he was repairing cars for Enzo Ferrari.

In the 1950s, a racer commissioned Scaglietti to rebody his damaged race car. Enzo Ferrari saw the car and tapped him to build a new chassis.

In the 1960s, Fiat bought a controlling interest in Ferrari and Scaglietti. But Scaglietti continued to manage the garage until his retirement in the 1980s.

Ferrari's 612 model was named as a tribute to the man who brought so much into the world of Ferrari.

Most recently his name was used to denote Ferrari customisation and personalisation program, Carrozzeria Scaglietti.

"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. [Those 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," Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo said.