R.I.P. Luigi Della Grotta

Wow I wish I could have met him he sounds like a man after my own heart......

He will surely be missed......

Rob

 

I went looking through my photo albums for more stuff about Mr. Luigi and scanned them all, to post here.

These first two items are an ad that appeared in in the July 29th, 1992 edition of the Montreal Gazette newspaper and a short article about his dealership that was published in some magazine (which was about Montreal in general. It could have been a tourist-type magazine). Based on an ad on the backside of this page, it more than likely was from the fall of 1990:
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The following series of photos were taken by Mr. Luigi himself and given to me when I visited his place. They were taken sometime around the end of 1989/the beginning of 1990. It shows the garage and how immaculate it was. I never knew the mechanic's name and I don't know if he stayed with him for all of those years after these visits of mine. Anybody have info about that?

Just to put things into perspective, take a look at the cars in these photos and keep in mind, that the 328 and Testarossas were brand NEW cars (the 308 QV behind the 328 in the showroom would have only been a couple of years old at the time)... Plenty of "classics" in the garage too including a couple of 365's and a Daytona Spider (which knowing him, would only have been a genuine one and not a chop-top Coupe):
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Here are photos of his displays at the Montreal International Auto Shows. This first set was from the 1991 edition. An amazing display that had a 288 GTO AND an F40! I've heard rumours over the years (including here on F'Chat) discussing the GTO and F40 and that even though would not be legal to register and licence, that were owned by a collector (or collectors) in Canada:
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The last set of Montreal Auto show photos, this time from 1992. The F40 was wearing it's original Italian "escursionisti esteri" licence plates this time. The 512 TR made it's debut at this show.

Hard to believe that these cars are all modern classics nowadays, but back then, this was the latest and greatest and judging by the crowds lining the fences of these displays, were the star attractions:
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Very Nice Peter, You were lucky to have known him....

 

Peter, awesome pics indeed. Thx again for sharing.

Are those F40 pics of two different cars, or show years? Im Just judging by the rear plates as they seem different (one shot shows the original export plate!).

So you are saying these were the infamous super cars from Ferrari Toronto? From another Luigi no less? . If so, that GTO is long gone out of Canada thanks to RM and the F40 remains in Mississauga from what I've heard.

 

What became of Nicola after he left ? Did he continue elsewhere?

 

Did Luigi own any Ferraris ? If so, which one(s) ?

 

What a shock. I live out west, am not a club member, and only just today heard this very sad news. Yes, it happens to us all, one day, but I am not looking forward to my next visit to Montreal when I will not be able to drop by for an espresso (with perhaps a surprise shot of Sambuca) But I will always think of myself as special, because my own memories of Luigi are profoundly important and unique in my life, and probably as vivid as they are to each of the contributors to this blog who were so extremely fortunate to have met him, or crossed paths. Every one of us remembers him for that one particular idiosyncrasy, kind or curt or curious, for which they remember him best of all. I recall so many of those, together with the sights and sounds which were uniquely Luigi's domain: The immaculately clean shop with white tiles in Westmount; the shop's tools and instruments laid out as they would be on a surgeon's table, and covered with clean shop cloths at night; Nicolo working away on a tune-up or an engine rebuild with beautiful music in the background; that other beautiful music of a Ferrari out on St Catherine St then roaring up the ramp to the second level; Luigi's intolerance with those who showed disrespect of his place of business or the marque he represented, "You take your dirty shoes off in your own home, then you take them off here"; telling a new customer ('67 275 GTB/4 silver/tan) never to come back after repairing a series of problems, and then refusing to accept any payment for labour or parts. Reason: the customer gave Luigi impatience and attitude before the work was started, and he did not even have an appointment, much less a referral. I was there. It just goes on and on. He helped me out of many a jam with my own cars, and was tireless with his help, yet still it was almost impossible to get him to sit down and make out a bill, much less accepting payment for it. If Luigi liked and respected you, he never made a big deal of it. But it showed. Sometimes on a Friday after work, I would drop by to visit (maybe with a small bottle of cognac) and we, no HE, would talk, about all manner of things. I was an enthusiastic audience. He talked of his relationship with Ferrari, the ups and the downs, his stories and observations about life, about his respect for those who work hard and well and who respected others for those same reasons; his deeply ingrained lack of care for riches. He told me "I just love to service intelligent cars for intelligent people". What a fine example this wonderful person has set, and will always be to us all. I feel deeply for his family and the many Ferrari friends. Thanks Bernardo for your many, many posts. I will try to read every one. And all the others of course.

Peter.

 

Pete, welcome to ferrarichat. Great first post! Don't forget to share with us some of your great cars you've had! Any pics? Looks like an impressive list.

 

I've rarely read word for word in a thread, but this kept me going on and on. And even thought I've never met Mr. Grotta. I feel deeply sorry for his passing, may he R.I.P.

 

I feel bad. I have very few pictures. Just one of my dark brown 365 GT 2+2 which I was honoured to allow Luigi to display at the 1970 Intl Motor Show (his Ferrari did not arrived in time). I have a few others, but I will have to do a little scanning to see how they come up. There is one of George Woolley with David Greenblatt and a famous 250LM in garage area of the Westmount shop. It can be seen at http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/18/563903b3a18207d0579f4c3c3cc923d4/l.jpg. That car was later painted BRG if I remember, and I was offered it for $12,000 approx, which I felt was too expensive at the time. Hmmmmm.....

 

I believe they were always the same car.

Back then I was just an awe-struck kid and not into recording serial numbers

The proprietor of Ferrari of Ontario is Mr. Remo Ferri. And thanks of reminding me of the auctioned off GTO... I remember that now.

 

Thanks for providing his name.

That's too bad he had to stop, but if his heart wasn't into it anymore...

What's more concerning is that once these oldtimers put down their wrenches for good, who's going to carry on after them?...

 

It is now but it was another Luigi back then...

 

Amazing stories! Where would the shop have been in Westmount?

I'd love to see those photos of your 365.

 

Thanks for the correction.