Sign in
Forgot your password?
or Sign up
News

Giancarlo Guerra - of Scaglietti

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Doug Nye, Feb 17, 2021.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Doug Nye

    Doug Nye Karting
    Honorary

    Jan 21, 2008
    211
    #1 Doug Nye, Feb 17, 2021
    I have just heard that one of the car world's really unsung truly greats passed away today, in Italy.



    He was Giancarlo Guerra - his forename often expressed as Gian Carlo - who was for many years the foreman of the development department of the Scaglietti car body building company - and perhaps its most creative craftsman, responsible almost single-handedly for many of its most admired body shapes.



    He was revered by his workmates as being able to do just about anything in the metal-working line. He had a rare almost telepathic understanding with Sergio Scaglietti and they were both far more than simply panel bashers.



    Guerra would work from either a powered chassis sitting before him, every element of which had to be clothed in bodywork, or from a 3-dimensional scale model, or from a combination of both. Working fantastically quickly he would weld up a wire or rod lattice-work shape as he and Scaglietti - and such opinionated customers as Mr Ferrari - would conceive. A panel former or panel pattern would then be shaped from the finalised latticework section and then finished panels would be beaten on that hard former. (Each had its own name in Modenese dialect but I'm keeping them for a book we have nearly completed.)



    One of Guerra's most treasured possessions was the panel-beating hammer he'd used throughout his career. His workmates credit him with having been the primary stylist responsible for the breathtaking Ferrari 250GTO body form...styled in the metal...with the hammer he so prized...



    While panel men in the great Turin styling houses were known as carrozzieri - 'coach builders', regarded there as a respectable profession - their counterparts in Modena building racing cars in particular, recall they were known as just battilastre - 'panel bashers', muscular, horny-handed blokes with a trade. They worked 12 hours or more each day, for poor pay - but they adored their craft and took proper pride in it.



    Guerra was apparently quite feisty - and was renowned for being fearlessly outspoken. If a valued customer expressed a conflicting preference, Guerra would often loudly demur. Whenever Sergio Scaglietti heard that Mr Ferrari was on his way for a visit, he'd attach himself to The Old Man like a magnet and never willingly leave him to talk with Guerra alone - for fear of what Guerra might say... Scaglietti was the diplomat, Guerra the tell-it-like-it-is artisan.



    With his death, 'a real character' has passed. One who was never really given the public credit his innate skill and artistry deserved. Evidently, a splendid old boy - much admired, respected, and loved. RIP.



    DCN
     
    Rick Weston, of2worlds, Olivier NAMECHE and 24 others like this.

    2. To remove this ad click here.

  2. crinoid

    crinoid F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2005
    8,124
    Full Name:
    LaCrinoid
    #2 crinoid, Feb 17, 2021
    Sad news. Thanks for sharing.
     
  3. miurasv

    miurasv F1 Veteran

    Nov 19, 2008
    8,039
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #3 miurasv, Feb 17, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2021
    Article about Giancarlo Guerra here who also did work for Stanguellini, Lamborghini and Cizeta.

     
    Radu, 355 Giallo gtb, wolfchen75 and 6 others like this.
  4. readplays

    readplays Formula 3

    Aug 22, 2008
    1,795
    New York City
    Full Name:
    Dave Powers
    #4 readplays, Feb 17, 2021
    Thanks DCN for sharing the story of such a singular artisan.
    I look forward to the book with anticipation.

    RIP Sig. Guerra
     
    miurasv, 375+, Fabiomodena and 1 other person like this.
  5. Fabiomodena

    Fabiomodena Rookie

    Feb 18, 2021
    2
    #5 Fabiomodena, Feb 18, 2021
    Hello Doug,

    I just registered on this forum to reply to your topic

    Giancarlo was my great uncle (great in any sense). We lived together in Modena for most of my life since I moved to Germany a few years ago to pursue a career (in cars, of course). Needless to say, he had a huge impact on my love for cars. He was also a great person all around. Genuine, sincere, hard working and down to earth as can be.

    Your kind words are much appreciated!

    I am very surprised that the news of his departure has already gone around the world. This goes to show, his genius was really loved and appriciated everywhere. In spite of his modesty and the fact, that he never wanted to make a big deal of his achievements.

    Please keep us updated about the book. I would love to read it

    Fabio
     
    355 Giallo gtb, of2worlds, BigTex and 15 others like this.

    6. To remove this ad click here.

  6. 375+

    375+ F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2005
    8,070
    #6 375+, Feb 18, 2021
    Fabio thank you for a wonderful first posting on FerrariChat. I met your great uncle many years ago in Modena, he was a living legend. A life well lived, may he rest in peace.
     
    355 Giallo gtb, of2worlds, 330 4HL and 8 others like this.
  7. Doug Nye

    Doug Nye Karting
    Honorary

    Jan 21, 2008
    211
    #7 Doug Nye, Feb 19, 2021
    Thank you Fabio - great to hear from you. Jean-Marc Borel of ModenArt has also sent me these illustrations of this celebratory body's latest tribute to Giancarlo Guerra's creative artistry, 1957 vintage - created for display by his former colleagues and fellow Scaglietti veterans Afro Gibellini and Oriello Leonardi.

    DCN
    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    355 Giallo gtb, Fabiomodena, 330 4HL and 10 others like this.
  8. simchanova

    simchanova Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 3, 2010
    447
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Stuart
    #8 simchanova, Feb 19, 2021
    ...artisan extraordinaire would be a massive understatement...
     
    330 4HL, greg328, mcimino and 1 other person like this.
  9. miurasv

    miurasv F1 Veteran

    Nov 19, 2008
    8,039
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #9 miurasv, Feb 19, 2021
    Chapter 2.

     
    Radu, Fabiomodena, 330 4HL and 2 others like this.

    10. To remove this ad click here.

  10. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,102
    Dubai, UAE
    #10 JohnMH, Feb 19, 2021
    Saddened to read this, but thankful as well. I love both the pontoon fender 250TR (my favorite Ferrari) and the Countach (part of my life for the past 16 years). I was never before aware of the link between the two. I look forward to this book.
     
    Fabiomodena likes this.
  11. Doug Nye

    Doug Nye Karting
    Honorary

    Jan 21, 2008
    211
    #11 Doug Nye, Feb 20, 2021
    Oh please don't get carried away by the prospect of the forthcoming book I mentioned - it's not primarily about Modenese carrozzerie nor about Scaglietti - they just form a small part of the background story to the seven Ferrari 250GTO/64s built - which really is the core subject of this forthcoming new work. It was not my intention to use this tribute to Guerra here as a promotional tool - so I apologise for any inference that might be the case. I'm really not that kind of self-promoting author...though I will admit I'm secretly quite pleased if others do it for me. :)
     
    of2worlds, Fabiomodena, 330 4HL and 10 others like this.
  12. DWR46

    DWR46 Formula 3
    Honorary

    Jun 19, 2012
    1,381
    #12 DWR46, Feb 20, 2021
    I have NO concerns in promoting the forthcoming book. I have been honored to be a small part of this project, and it is an amazing product. Probably not for the casual Ferrari fan, but for the true students of the marque, Doug's efforts regarding the 250 GTO/64 cars are remarkable. It is a fabulous amount of information all laid out in logical and understandable order. It is not just about the cars, but tells so much more about the people, that they become the real stars of this work. Doug's research is the most in-depth effort ever undertaken about these cars. All the owners participated and provided never seen before photos and knowledge about the individual cars. It is special.
     
    of2worlds, Fabiomodena, pilotoCS and 5 others like this.
  13. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Four Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    47,474
    Isle of Luci
    Full Name:
    Jack
    #13 Jack-the-lad, Feb 20, 2021
    I’ll look forward to the book. Is there an estimated publishing date?
     
    330 4HL, miurasv, 375+ and 1 other person like this.
  14. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
    Consultant

    Mar 4, 2005
    7,995
    #14 wbaeumer, Feb 21, 2021
    As an ex-Countach owner (LP400 "Periscopio"), I was surprised to hear that the ex-Testa Rossa creator made also the most shocking car ever!
    Well deserved honors here. May he R.I.P.
     
    Fabiomodena and 330 4HL like this.
  15. miurasv

    miurasv F1 Veteran

    Nov 19, 2008
    8,039
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #15 miurasv, Feb 21, 2021
    Did Giancarlo work for Lamborghini or Bertone when he was making bodies for the Countach?
     
  16. Borrow’d Mine

    Borrow’d Mine Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 28, 2019
    328
    Florida
    #16 Borrow’d Mine, Feb 21, 2021
    Please post when published.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
    readplays likes this.
  17. Doug Nye

    Doug Nye Karting
    Honorary

    Jan 21, 2008
    211
    #17 Doug Nye, Feb 21, 2021
    I understand that Guerra was head-hunted by Lamborghini and received an offer which doubled his pay, or better. It was far more than Scaglietti could ever match so he took the chance of a lifetime and made the move. He hand-made the prototype bodies for the Countach - thereby playing a significant role in creating what I personally regard as both the very best and (arguably) the most ghastly high-performance Italian cars of all time.

    The GTO/64 book should - repeat should - become available later this year.

    I never ever dreamed there would be so much to say in connection with just seven cars...and the frustrating thing is that I know there's more if only we could unearth it.

    DCN
     
    of2worlds, Fabiomodena, 330 4HL and 6 others like this.
  18. 375+

    375+ F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2005
    8,070
    #18 375+, Feb 22, 2021
    The curse of publishing research--when to cut it off and go with what you have? There's always something more to be discovered.
     
    fiatosca, of2worlds, Jack-the-lad and 2 others like this.
  19. Boudewijn

    Boudewijn F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    May 15, 2003
    4,127
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Boudewijn Berkhoff
    #19 Boudewijn, Feb 22, 2021
    Fabiomodena and Aardy like this.
  20. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Four Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    47,474
    Isle of Luci
    Full Name:
    Jack
    #20 Jack-the-lad, Feb 22, 2021
    Well you know what they say about history: “It’s just one damned thing after another.”

    My previous post was deleted as it was posted in error. My error.:oops::)
     
    375+ likes this.
  21. Fabiomodena

    Fabiomodena Rookie

    Feb 18, 2021
    2
    #21 Fabiomodena, Feb 23, 2021
    Hello Doug,

    that is correct. What is also worth noting is that this move to a competitor did not go down well with Ferrari (i guess the company, more than the Man).
    The relationship between Giancarlo and Ferrari would never recover, even after years.

    I guess there are a lot of episodes and anectodes worth remembering. But many of those would offend quite a few "big" names. Maybe that´s why he kept so many stories for himself
     
    Nembo1777, Jack-the-lad and 375+ like this.
  22. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2006
    7,304
    opposite lock
    Full Name:
    Marc Sonnery
    #22 Nembo1777, Feb 23, 2021
    I realized in the last few days that in the course of doing about 34 interviews for a certain Miura book, many of them in and around Modena in 2007, I met him though I did not interview him as it would have been of topic. But I do recall someone in a workshop introducing us and I think if was Giorgio Neri (of Neri & Bonacini fame creators of my favorite 250GT #1777GT based Spyder and other wonders). He did project an aura of huge experience, competence and strong convictions. RIP.
     
    Fabiomodena and of2worlds like this.
  23. Olivier NAMECHE

    Olivier NAMECHE F1 Rookie

    Aug 18, 2007
    4,427
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    Olivier
    #23 Olivier NAMECHE, Feb 23, 2021

    I had the privilege to interview Gian Carlo Guerra 2x times back in 2015, for my Lamborghini books in preparation, among 117 others Pioneers, engineers, workers, artists... he was still very lucid with a good memory.

    Paolo Stanzani made him the offer to come to work at Sant'Agata Bolognese, Paolo doubbled his wage, offer that he couldn't refuse.

    The 1st target was to create the JIG in order to manufacture the Countach at Sant'Agata, this was to avoid the dependance to Bertone and to have all in house Countach production, exception of the tube frame contracted at Marchesi.

    The 2nd target was to built the Countach... Gian Carlo was the head of craftmen team who built all Countach.


    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    christc, AtSomePoint, Fabiomodena and 4 others like this.
  24. miurasv

    miurasv F1 Veteran

    Nov 19, 2008
    8,039
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #24 miurasv, Feb 23, 2021
    Thank you for your answer.
     
  25. B24Spider

    B24Spider Rookie

    Sep 27, 2008
    16
    #25 B24Spider, Feb 23, 2021
    A one who trained as a silver and goldsmith, that is, hammer, steel, torch, and file, my respects....
     
    turbo-joe and readplays like this.
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page