Select your language

 

AUTUMN 1988

In the autumn of 1988, the Fiat Style Center commissioned a "Hard see-through" model from Alfredo Stola & Sons spa for a brand new Alfa Romeo C-class segment that would go on to be called 145.
The Alfa Romeo style centre was directed by Walter de Silva, but with a view to corporate synergies, one of the style models was managed directly by Fiat Design in Turin.
For the time, it had a truly innovative shape and style. 
Fiat Team, designers  Andrea Zapatinas and Mauro Basso were always present in the modelshop of Via La Thuile 71.

011994 official photo before the presentation at the Geneva Motor Show.021994 official photo before the presentation at the Geneva Motor Show.

In particular, the shape of the V-shaped rear window created by the Greek designer would reveal a distinguishing character of the two-volume  Alfa Romeo for many years; even today in 2018, the Giulietta has this signature.
The numerous work visits to the modelshop by architect Ermanno Cressoni and Chris Bangle, respectively director of the Fiat Style Center and manager of the exteriors, as well as those of Alfa Romeo Technical Director, Engineer Amedeo Felisa, are remembered with great pleasure.

 

10 JANUARY 1989

0102Official document sent to each employee
informing them of the company brand change.
The signature of Roberto Stola.

On 10 January 1989, Roberto and Alfredo Stola agreed that in order to communicate the technological transformation of the company more effectively to its customers, the time had come to update the brand.
The name became  STOLA, rather than ALFREDO STOLA & Sons.
The logo was adapted but retained the historical rhombus with rounded corners and the contemporary characters enclosed in it.
The aim was  to maintain tradition whilst making everything more modern.

031989 Roberto Stola in Via La Thuile 71. The new Stola brand milled on a model is shown on the right.

041989 Moments of life in the office in Via La Thuile 71, with the historic switchboard operator Grazia Bolla, Marco Goffi and the engineer Alberto Sasso.051989 Moments of life in the office in Via La Thuile 71,
by Grazia Bolla and Gian Franco Novelli.

061989 Moments of life in the office in Via La Thuile 71, Engineer Sasso on the phone who knows who.

071989 Moments of life in the office in Via La Thuile 71, Giovanna Sardi called "Cicci" office manager and head of accounting.

 

FEBRUARY 1989 BUGATTI EB110 PROTOTYPE

In February 1989, STOLA s.p.a. was involved by Romano Artioli, new owner of Bugatti Automobili, for the construction of a Technical Master Model, designed to create the molds of the first prototypes.
Alfredo Stola had no relationship with Bugatti Automobili but through his passion for classic cars and the fact of owning a Bugatti Stelvio Tipo 57 Cabriolet he was involved in the Patron.
It was Artioli himself who put ENGINEER Paolo Stanzani in contact with Alfredo Stola and Engineer Alberto Sasso who then met at a working lunch near Campogalliano in March 1989. In the afternoon the meeting will take place in the Bugatti offices, which is still nearing completion, together with Dr. Romano Artioli and Stanzani himself.

01From the personal agenda of Engineer Paolo Stanzani. On 1 March 1989 at 1 pm the Stola appointment is marked. This Image is a kind permission of Dr. Gautam Sem important writer of automotive books including the latest on the Bugatti EB 110.

Not all of the Stola's works described in these very long years have been immortalized by photographs, and unfortunately this one of the Technical Master Model of the Bugatti EB 110 Prototype is one of them for many reasons.
In 2023 the book "The true story of the Bugatti EB110 by Engineer Dario Trucco was published, and perhaps also due to the absence of photographs there is no trace of the work done by Stola S.p.A. with Marcello Gandini for this iconic project related to the Technical Master.
A few days before the awarding of the Honorary Degree by the Polytechnic of Turin, at his home, Marcello Gandini gave Alfredo Stola a copy of this book with a precious dedication.

Drubiaglio 10 January 2024: In memory of the good work done in STOLA S.p.A. for the creation of the Technical Master Model used for the construction of the relevant molds for the prototypes of the Bugatti EB 110Drubiaglio 10 January 2024: In memory of the good work done in STOLA S.p.A. for the creation of the Technical Master Model used for the construction of the relevant molds for the prototypes of the Bugatti EB 110

02Marcello GandiniThe objectives were clear, communicating that the style would be taken care of by Marcello Gandini, and that the first running prototype would have to be ready by August 1989.
A week later the Stola modelers started work on a traditional styling model that could be dis-assembled.
The great experience of Marcello Gandini enabled the modelers to work with ease and speed and finish the job in four months.
The model was then  sent to the Itca company in Grugliasco for the production of aluminum prototypes.
For Roberto and Alfredo, the opportunity to work with Gandini had long been desired, so much so that a few years later he would be asked to design a STOLA show car.
From this project a friendship was born between the two families based on mutual sympathy and esteem that still lasts today.

03September 14, 1991, La Defense, Paris. Roberto and Alfredo Stola pose on one of the three EB 110 prototypes designed by Marcello Gandini whose model was made by Stola.

Roberto and Alfredo Stola, almost two years after having finished the modular styling model, with their respective families on 14 and 15 September 1991 were guests of Romano Artioli for the unforgettable presentation of the Bugatti EB 110 in Paris and Versilles.


04September 14, 1991 Hotel Ritz Roberto and Juliana before the gala evening at the Orangerie of the castle of Versailles.05September 15, 1991 Alfredo and Maria Paola Stola with the Bugatti EB 110, not designed by Gandin, in the background.

 

5 APRIL 1989

01Luigi Gallina in a 2002 photo.On April 5, 1989 Luigi Gallina was hired to assist the three Heads of Works, Carlo Bordone, Sellan Sante, and Vittorio Della Rocca.
We must also consider that in 1991 Sellan Sante retired and in 1993 Carlo Bordone took over as chairman.
For the occasion, Gallina directed a new seperate model department of 1,500 square meters in Via Lesna 76, Grugliasco, in the basement below the Calculation and design center recently directed by Gottardo Bustreo.
In this detached location, always connected to Via La Thuile 71 and the the Workshop, many Master Models were created, which were increasingly known as Mathematical Verification Masters.
These include the Master Model of the Alfa Romeo 145, 146 and the Saab 9000 CS between 1992 and 1993.

021991 Master Model Alfa Romeo 145031992 Master Model Alfa Romeo 146

04Eric Sorum designer Saab

051989 In the milling department of the Stola Tord du Hane together with managers of the Saaab technologies.

06A typical Biorn Envall inspirational art sketch for the future Saab 9000 CS

07End of June 1989 Master Model Saab 9000CS08End of June 1989 Master Model Saab 9000CS

09End of June 1989 Master Model Saab 9000CS

10End of June 1989 Master Model Saab 9000CS

11July 2, 1989 at the castle of Pralormo. Tord du Hane and his wife Brigitta at the wedding of Alfredo and Maria Paola Stola. Ereic Hoglund and his wife are also among the guests, but at the moment we have not yet found the photograph.

12At the end of 1992, the Saab 9000 CS entered production, an important restyling of the 9000 type; the design is from the Saab Style Center directed by Bjorn Envall.

In addition to these Mathematical Verification models, dozens and dozens of control gauges were constructed for loose and welded sheet metal assemblies.
The most important customer for these types of equipment was Ford of Europe.

 

 2 JULY 1989

011989 Pralormo Castle reception. Alfredo and Maria Paola Stola in the background a Bugatti 57 cabriolet Stelvio.

On July 2 1989 at Villarbasse, Alfredo married  Maria Paola Ariusso and from this marriage Francesco was born on  February 10, 1992.

02June 1995 Villarbasse. Francesco Stola with his dog Ufo, driving the Bimbo Racer electric car
originally of his father Alfredo in 1965.

They met, very young, on November 10, 1978, and immediately, beyond the love they shared they cultivate a passion for cars in all their aspects.
This passion continues today and not only through STUDIOTORINO.

03August 1979 at Ceriale, Maria Paola and Alfredo Stola with the Lancia Stratos.

041984 Villarbasse Maria Paola and Alfredo
with their Dino 246 GTS.
05July 1989 Colle San Bernardo (Garessio) Alfredo and Maria Paola with their Porsche 911 Carrera 4.

Read More