Michelotto History | FerrariChat

Michelotto History

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by davy26, Jun 9, 2025.

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  1. davy26

    davy26 Rookie

    Aug 24, 2023
    19
    East Kent, England
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    David Buckden
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    I'm currently researching the history of Michelotto and am short of images from the Stratos (mid-70s) and early 308 GTB (late70s/early 80s) era. I appreciate that the business is well-known for its disposition of secrecy - (essential in view of the special relationship with Ferrari) - and its usual policy of forbidding visitors, (precious few allowed), to take photographs inside, but I wonder if anyone here might have taken some pictures back then around the Via Chiesanuova premises? If you have, I'd be very grateful if you'd let me know. Many thanks.
    David
     
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  2. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
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    Mar 1, 2012
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    Glen
    Steeped in folklore for sure.
    How they got 550hp from a NA 3.6 Dino V8 engine is the stuff of legends.
    Sorry can't help with your request and sorry I couldn't help myself.
     
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  3. davy26

    davy26 Rookie

    Aug 24, 2023
    19
    East Kent, England
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    David Buckden
    Thanks for your interest RT. Yes, plenty of folklore and all magnified by the maintenance of relative privacy, leaving us with less than we'd like to know about how such excellent results have been achieved modifying Ferrari and Lancia products. Quite a contrast with many similar businesses which - understandably - like to blow their own trumpets to let us know how accomplished they are. But Michelotto had the more significant agenda of being, in effect, Ferrari's off-site skunkworks.
     
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  4. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    Apr 29, 2004
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    Peter den Biggelaar
    Maybe @tomgt can help? He seems to have contacts there.
     
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  5. Stablef430

    Stablef430 Karting
    BANNED

    May 27, 2025
    53
    Miami, Florida
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    Bailey
    Hopefully i need some info about this too.
     
  6. tomgt

    tomgt F1 Veteran
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    Feb 22, 2004
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    Tom Wiggers
    History can be found in some (Italian) books
    and in the Michelotto 50 years book
     
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  7. davy26

    davy26 Rookie

    Aug 24, 2023
    19
    East Kent, England
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    David Buckden
    Thanks Tom. I've been aware of this for a while but have been quite unable to find a copy anywhere - seems as though everything Michelotto-related is enigmatic/elusive, (which, of course, just adds to the allure). I'm grateful for your input. Regards, David
     
  8. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    24,854
    Once the book came out a copy was sent to the factory. Some say lawyers then had all remaining copies confiscated, possibly because some secrets had been revealed.

    Marcel Massini
     
  9. davy26

    davy26 Rookie

    Aug 24, 2023
    19
    East Kent, England
    Full Name:
    David Buckden
    Thanks Marcel. There we are then - a business which has proven supremely good at special/competition vehicle development and preparation and equally effective at maintaining confidentiality - both aspects key in gaining Ferrari's trust and willingness to allow Michelotto to function in effect as the marque's special developments workshop. Very frustrating though for people like me - we must be missing out on lots of fascinating detail about how such cars as the Stratos, 308 GTB, F40, 288 GTO and 333 SP for example were developed and refined. I'm intending to post a survey of the 70s/80s cars on Do Look Back next month.
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  10. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    Justin

    Ohh wow. That's really cool.
     

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