It's my sad duty to report that Bruno Borri died yesterday, Sept. 7. After a career at Otto Zipper's as race, Alfa and Ferrari mechanic, Bruno opened Modena Sport Cars with Pietro Iurilli and, later, Luciano Fabbio. He was the mechanical genius behind the 365GTB/4 that came in second at the 24 hours of Dayt ona, long after the model was thought to be near extinction. He had rebuilt so many V-12 engines that I swear he could do it with his eyes closed. Bruno had retired to Florida, and had been suffering from Alzeimer's, so I guess we could say that he's in a better place now. Sympathies to his wife Raquel and daughter Barbara. I believe that services and burial will be at Forest Lawn. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ed, Sorry to hear of Bruno's passing. Nice photo, Ken sneaking his head into the picture. Is it Ken's Daytona? Jeff
I was a customer of Bruno long ago when he had the shop on LaBrea Ave. in Los Angeles . I remember I would go in there with my GTC/4 and say what was wrong with it but he would ignore that and say: "You go, we take care" and when I came back there would be no itemized list or bill but I would just fan out $100 bills and he would pluck as many as he needed (maybe to cover a bet on the horses).Another time he told me to go up and down La Brea fast so he could tell by the sound if my car was running right. Mind you, this was a street full of traffic with an old folks' home next door but I did it. Also sometimes I'd leave my car and when visitng another shop find him there trying to barter for parts for my car! I remember he didn't want to invest in a Ferrari himself and was somewhat embarrassed when Luciano went in on a California spyder with an LA cop who liked Ferraris and the car soared into the millions in value. And here was Bruno still with his 1965 Chevrolet Caprice! I couldn't own a V12 nowadays with modern dealerships and the #100-and-hour plus labor rates. But back then it was fast and loose and , though nerve racking, fun to deal with guys like Bruno and Luciano.
Ed, thank you for noting the behind-the-scenes key figure such as Bruno. I was a young lad of 23 when that 365 GTB/4 came in 2nd at the 24 hours. The day it happened sticks in my mind clearly. I remember asking myself how can an outdated car like that come in 2nd in one of the most prestigious races in the world? It cemented in my mind the attributes of one tough car driven and supported by a team that pulled it all together in the face of overwhelming odds. Truly one of the most significant racing achievements of all time. Thanks to guys like Bruno.
Hi Ed, Sorry to hear of Bruno's passing. I first met him in 1979 when he did a valve job on my first Ferrari(a 1966 330GT2+2). We became good friends, and did a number of Ferrari projects together over the years. He sooo loved his white 65 or 66 Chevy Impala and had such an easy way about him that was very endearing......God's Speed Bruno!!!
Rest In Peace, and thoughts and prayers to the family...... Thanks for the Pit Pass, Mr. Niles.......I'll take good care of it, I promise.... Thanks to all, for the stories....
I remember that race like it was yesterday. In those days at Daytona you could get quite close to the pits, inside the big chain link fence, without actually getting in the pit stalls themselves. We sort of hovered around the Ferrari's pit for most of our waking hours, hoping like crazy that they could pull off the miracle. It was amazing and, as I said, unforgettable. Jack.
Very sorry to hear about Bruno. I knew him through Luciano, and always had an easy rapport with him. He hid some excellent mechanical restoration work on a Daytona that I once had. It is funny to look at old repair orders and reminisce about prices that we thought were expensive. Guys with his skill set are almost impossible to find nowadays. My deepest condolences to his family.
Sad to hear... RIP Bruno. I met Bruno around 1979-1980 through JD head mechanic at Lyle Tanner's. I was the college kid hanging with the gray hair wrenches trying to learn how to fix my ferrari. The education was fun and cost me lots of lunches. I had pet names for my mechanic buddies...Bruno Mr. silicone, JD Mr. cotter pin as in "a nail will work just fine in place of a cotter pin". Mechanics of that day were very colorful and their work was an much art as it was science. I really enjoyed these real people and I think they were proud to share their knowledge with a hot shot ferrari driving college kid who was willing to climb down the ivory tower and show some respect to some good hard working people. We have come a long way from the Sun distributor machine...
Very sad news. I had my Daytona serviced by him the last few years, when he was working out of Alfa Milano on La Cienega. I would come in and recite a list of things that I wanted taken care of. He would just nod, and not write anything down. A couple of days later, everything would be done perfectly, and he'd present the bill. Ed, I remember the lawsuit he was involved with, concerning a certain 330GTC, which supposedly drove him to temporary retirement. It was also the catalyst for me getting my first Ferrari, a 330GTC. My condolences to Bruno's family.
Hello, this is Bruno's daughter, Barbara, posting to the thread. The family is touched to see these comments. My dad loved his career and the friends that he made as a result. His eyes sparkled every time a Ferrari passed—the car that was his life. Please feel free to join us and pay your last respects if you are in the Los Angeles area. The funeral service is set for: this Saturday, September 19th at 3pm The Little Church of the Flower Forest Lawn, Glendale, California. http://www.forestlawn.com/About-Forest-Lawn/Glendale-Little-Church-Of-The-Flowers.asp
I just found this post I don't even know if anyone will read this however I want to pay my respects to Mr Bruno Borri my mechanic and his beautiful daughter who I was lucky enough to meet one time. I bought my second Ferrari from him a 1988 Testarossa and when I told him what I wanted he just said in that Italian accent "Don't worry Mr Arce I will find you a very nice one". I never asked questions about it and never saw a picture of it .I was only 28 at the time and when he had found the right one he just told me to come over and bring the cash. Funny thing I did and it was in unbelievable shape just like he told me. RIP Bruno...
