1986

Björn Envall director of Saab's style center.In 1986 the director of Saab's styling centre,Björn Envall, showed his great trust in  Alfredo Stola & sons SpA  by asking them for a styling model. Since 1919 the men of Stola had always modeled from complex technical drawings and trigonometric calculations.
In styling, the input is  much less technical, instructions are given personally by the  manufacturers designers.
Once again they took the opportunity to expand into activities in a sector bordering on their traditional one. The first project was the restyling of the "Aero" Saab 900 Coupe and Convertible.
The designer was Swede Eric Sorum.
The  modellers following his input were Stephen Ardagna and Saverio Broadsword, students of the training courses of the early eighties.
The parts concerned in the aerodynamic refinement were the bumpers,side fascias and the rear spoiler. In this case too, due to the nature of styling modeling, Sorum forbade the taking of photographs.

1986 Turin Via La Thuile 69. After a long evening of work, people eat inside the management office dedicated to Saab. From the center on the left you can recognize: Eric Sorum, Ferrero Roberto, Fabrizio Bonafede, Salvatore Sassu, Guido Toninelli, Tord Du Hane, Pereric Hoglund, X, Y.

1986 Trollhatan. Engineer Alberto Sasso and Roberto Stola at the home of Sven Solvang of Saab.

1986 The modelers Stefano Ardagna and Saverio Spadone work the front and rear bumpers, spoiler and the side skirt under the direction of Eric Sorum, assistant to Bjorn Envall.

1987 Saab-Valmet,Uusikaupunki in Finland, from where the Saab 900 convertibles will then be assembled. From left Lasse Vaino, Alfredo Stola and Seppo Roine.1987 Trollhatan, Alfredo Stola in the purchasing office of Saab, in the background Ingemar Gustaffsoon and Gustav Leftinger.

Spring 1987 Turin Caselle Airport. The urgencies in the deliberations of the pre-series of the 900 Areo Cabrio are so pressing that a Valmet technician will be on hand to collect 25 prototype spoilers just built in Alfredo Stola & Figli. In the photo together with the Finnish manager Guido Toninelli.

From this "very small" Saab job, over the following eighteen years Stola went on to realise projects  for some of the most important Style Centers around the world, around 220 proposals for both interior and exterior styling models as well as 57 Show Cars. 
The style for all these projects was always followed by the designers of the relevant manufacturer. 
At that time, Roberto and Alfredo Stola, together with the management, stipulated that the company would  never be responsible for providing the "style" to its customers. 
English courses for all the modellers were set  up in co-ordination with Shenker of Turin. This was to aid communication with the foreign designers.

1986 Ota City With Ogihara employees. Top left: Pereric Haglund and Alfredo Stola.1986 Ota City Alfredo Stola at Ogihara together with the quality manager.

1986 Ota City Mr. Karl Leftinger together with the Ogihara brothers.1986 Ota City showroom of the
Ogihara works.

1986 Ota City. The Ogihara brothers organize a welcome dinner for Saab managers together with Alfredo Stola.1986 Ota City. The Ogihara brothers organize a welcome dinner for Saab managers together with Alfredo Stola.