SEPTEMBER 2000

As a consequence of the agreement between Ghia - Ford, and STOLA s.p.a., in September 2000 they were involved with continuous work, without a moment's break, with the Ford Style Center in Cologne.
Our European contacts were with Director Martin Smith and his Assistant Claudio Missale, who, together with many designers including Paul Gibson, Murat Gueker, John McCleod, Andrea Di Buduo, and Nicho Tonello spent a lot of time with the Stola modelers at Rivoli.
Until the beginning of 2004, many proposals for see-through style models were made in hard material, starting with the Type C Max, Focus second series, Galaxy, S Max and Mondeo third generation.
A very intense period at STOLA s.p.a., the time in which Merkenich Style Center, developed their new Kinetic design philosopy.
During the construction of all these models it is a pleasure to remember the visits to Rivoli by many of the personalities from the world of ford such as Christopher Bird, John Manning, Nikolaus Vidakovic, Terry Walkind and Wilson Alaistar.

Rivoli November 2000. STOLA s.p.a realizes a model proposal of the C MAX type for the Ford Style Center. For reasons of workspace this model was made by the supplier Vercar of Beinasco by a mixed team of modelers STOLA and Vercar.

Rivoli March 2001. La STOLA s.p.a. realizes two model proposals of the future second generation Focus for the Ford Style Center.

 Rivoli July 2001. La STOLA s.p.a. realizes a model proposal of the future Focus Station Wagon second series for the Ford Style Center.

Rivoli March 2002. La STOLA s.p.a. creates a Galaxy-type interior model proposal for the Ford Style Center.

Rivoli November 2002. La STOLA s.p.a. realizes an outdoor model proposal of the S MAX type for the Ford Style Center.

Rivoli December 2003. La STOLA s.p.a. realizes two proposals for external models of the Mondeo third generation type for the Ford Style Center.

SEPTEMBER 2000

At the end of September 2000, Ferrari entrusted STOLA s.p.a with the complete development of the F137 project, which went on to be known as 612 Scaglietti, a tribute to the historic coachbuilder and designer from Modena.
Compared to the previous 456M, the 550, and 575M Maranello, Ferrari commissioned Stola to engineer the chassis, body and its moving parts all in sheet aluminum rather than steel.
This specific technological choice of aluminum was no accident, adding the name Scaglietti to the number 612 immediately brought to mind one Ferrari icon, the GTO, along with the "one off" type 375 MM Coupe of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman.
Engineer Amedeo Felisa, Technical Director of Ferrari, for this project was very demanding of both his own and Stola’s teams with regards to quality standards, appointing Engineers Maurizio Rossi as manager of styling pre-feasibility and the engineer Maurizio Manfredini as project manager.
The ability to develop the engineering of the F137 in the two VR rooms in the Rivoli and Cinisello Balsamo offices, installed a few months previous, was highly appreciated by the Ferrari management.
The first level of technical management for Stola was, as always: Carlo Biassoni, Gottardo Bustreo, Gianfranco Morlacchi, Alessandro Ghezzi, Giuseppe Castiglioni, Roberto Arpini, La Rosa and Piero De Micheli as project manager, they were joined by Engineer Carlo Alecci in 1997.
The Stola Team Leaders were Paolo Zerbini for body and finishes, Giuseppe Castiglioni for internal finishes, Alessandro Ghezzi, moving parts, Roberto Lauber for structural calculations and Paola Busato for bill of materials.
The styling for F137 was the work of Pininfarina, magnificently inspired by the Pininfarina 375 MM Coupè Speciale from 1954.
They change December 2000. At the Pininfarina Style Center, Piero De Micheli della Stola and Piero Migliorini of Ferrari evaluate the technical cuts of the style model of the F137During the construction of the exterior and interior style models at the Cambiano Style Center, the Stola technicians, coordinated by De Micheli began the pre-feasibility studies.
The first objective to start the actual engineering was is to have the two validated Mathematical Verification Masters.
In the first few days of 2001, the two style models arrived at the Rivoli headquarters, the first activity was to undertake a very accurate optical light scan of the two models, carried out personally by Roberto Planesio, owner of the Vectorin company.
The team of Massimo Stola and Carlo Mantovani created the class A mathematics of the exterior and interior of F137 using the virtual room at Rivoli for the first time.

Rivoli January 2001. The style model of the F137 designed and built by Pininfarina is transported to Stola s.p.a. for the surveys with the aim of realizing class A mathematics.

Rivoli January 2001. The first phase of the optical survey carried out by Vectorin at Stola s.p.a. of Rivoli.

Rivoli January 2001. Result of the structured light optical scanning survey performed by Roberto Planesio of Vectorin.

Rivoli February 2001. C-class surfaces of the Ferrari F137.

Rivoli March 2001. Class A surfaces of the Ferrari F137.

Rivoli March 2001. Mathematical surfaces of class A Shading of the Ferrari F137.

Rivoli early April 2001. Final rendering of the Ferrari F137.

Rivoli - Modena spring 2001. Having received the style model of the interiors of the F 137 designed and built by Pininfarina, the optical surveys and mathematical surfaces in class A were carried out. The construction of the Master models of the interiors was contracted by Stola a.p.a. at Modelleria Modenese.

The use of this latest major investment would allow them to obtain high levels of quality in every detail, thanks to the visualization of the surfaces being worked on the 3x2m, 3-D rear projected screen .
The subsequent milling of the exterior master took place in Rivoli, while the interior master was contracted out to Modelleria Modenese.
In the spring of 2001, both masters were validated by the Pininfarina, Ferrari and Stola teams in Rivoli.

Rivoli at STOLA s.p.a. spring 2001. The moment of validation of the Master Mathematical Verification of the exterior of the Ferrari F137 designed by Pininfarina which will later be called 612 Scaglietti. From left, Migliorini, Maurizio Rossi, Pighetti, Guidetti, Paolo Zerbini, Panzeri, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Mauro Del Monte, Ottina, Carlo Mantovani.

Rivoli 2001. Detail of the headlight of the Ferrari F137 CNC milled in Stola s.p.a. with class A mathematics.Thus began the phase of defining the bodywork studies, consisting of the floor, sides, greenhouse, closures and all the related internal structures in aluminium, as well as the plastic parts, bumpers , lights and the two sill covers.
In parallel, the interior designers were responsible for defining the studies of the details of the instrument panel, console, door panels, pillars, headlining and boot linings.
The design team expanded to around 50 people.
Catia V4 was used for the development studies and 3D components.
The design phase described was very important as it defined the technological solutions capable of maintaining on the one hand the aesthetics required by styling and on the other the final costs of the car.
There was almost constant use of both the VR rooms at Rivoli and Cinisello Balsamo by the Stola team, allowing the Ferrari technicians to be even more pro-active in sharing design solutions. This was especially useful in very complex areas where there were many different components, such as the engine compartment. Stereoscopic 3D visualization using Catia Navigator software allowed specialists to analyze virtually the critical points of all systems.

Cinisello Balsamo September 2001. A typical daily session of DMU (Digital Mock Up) in a virtual room to verify interference in the assembly of engine tubes, brakes and wiring.

In Italy at the time, VR rooms equipped for car design were really rare, and the novelty that this new way of working allowed customers, their partner suppliers and the many co-designers to interact together, in real time in front of a large 3D screen animated by a computer.
Cinisello Balsamo October 2002. Loredana Beltramino, Piero De Micheli, Carmelo Benedetto and XFerrari, Stola and the many co-designers could then make the production details work together on a single platform and achieve their objectives.
The validation of the 3D project took place firstly through checks using virtual electronic systems and subsequently on the first prototypes made in Maranello.
This highly critical activity for the F137 project, is entrusted to STOLA s.p.a. and largely carried out at Ferrari’s site.

Maranello November 2002, at the Ferrari metrology room with the first prototype sheet metal body of the F137 later called Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. From left Alessandro Ghezzi, Paolo Zerbini and Piero De Micheli.

Maranello November 2002, Toni Fabio, Piero De Micheli and Mauro Del Monte.Maranello November 2002 Paolo Zerbini, Piero De Micheli and Mauro Del Monte.

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti was presented to the world on January 4, 2004 at the Detroit Auto Show.

December 2003 The official photo of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti designed by Pininfarina presented at the Detroit Auto Show on January 4, 2004.

December 2003. The official photo of the interior of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti presented in Detroit on January 4th 2004.

On the 26th January, the Stola designers were invited by Cordero di Montezemolo to Maranello, together with the other partner suppliers in order to view the 612 Scaglietti, the occasion was the presentation of the F2004 single-seater in the presence of the drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

Maranello 26 January 2004 on the occasion of the presentation of the new F2004 single-seater Alfredo Stola takes this incredible photograph.

Maranello 26 January 2004. Guests of Ferrari s.p.a. at the presentation of the new F2004 single-seater. From left Roberto Arpini, Piero De Micheli and engineer Carlo Alecci with Alfredo Stola.

Maranello January 26, 2004. From left Mauro Del Monte, Piero De Micheli and Robero Arpini on the occasion of the presentation of the new F2004 single-seater pose near the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti presented a few days earlier at the Detroit Motor Show.

OCTOBER 2000

In October 2000, Nissan's Europe design centre commissioned STOLA s.p.a. to build a prototype off-road vehicle. An ambitious project designed to communicate a new trend in the design of its vehicles off road production vehicles.
Under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, designer Christopher Reitz was resident in Rivoli for the duration and was the point of reference for the Stola modelers.

Summer of 2000. Here are the first styling drawings of the exterior of the Nissan Crossbow.Summer of 2000. Here are the first style drawings of the interior of the Nissan Crossbow.

Typically, almost all of the prototypes built by the rivoli modellers were running vehicles, the Crossbow however, whose chassis was derived from the Patrol, also had to perform on rough terrain.
The exterior finishes and especially the interior ones were more challenging than usual given the great use of milled and hand polished aluminum.

Rivoli April 2001. The body of the Crossbow under construction. On the left you can recognize Massano and Scursatone.

Rivoli April 2001. G. Comollo and L. Giarolo.Rivoli April 2001. M. Di Maria and C. Raiz.

May 2001, the prototype is pushed to
the paint shop.In the painting department we recognize Davide, Marcello, Peppino Maurizio and Andrea.

Rivoli June 2001 G. Sutherland and C. Raiz.Rivoli June 2001. G. Comollo struggling with the engine.

Rivoli, a moment of relaxation at the coffee machine.

Jo Cavagucia employee of Stola s.p.a. of Japanese nationality to support Asian customers.

Rivoli July 2001. Final stages of the editing
of the Crossbow.
Rivoli July 2001. Final stages of the editing
of the Crossbow.

Rivoli 2001. Sergio Prodan and Lucio Giarolo.Rivoli 2001. Alfredo Stola and Felice Chiara.

August 2001. The prototype is almost finished. We recognize Alfredo Stola.

August 2001. The exhausted team rests, The prototype is finally completed. From left C. Mantovani, B. Gammicchia, M. Di Maria, B. Comollo, Spitaleri and Benedetto.

An unforgettable photo shoot in the mountains above Ceresole Reale at valico del colle Nivolet (at 2641 m altitude) in the Gran Paradiso National Park was organised by STOLA s.p.a.

August 2001 The model is leaving for the photo shoot, in front of the elevator you can recognize .....August 2001 The model is leaving for the photo shoot, in front of the elevator you can recognize .....

It is Dalessio who transported the Nissan Crossbow prototype to the Nivolet.The Nissan Crossbow at the Nivolet.

Pass of the Nivolet. C. Raiz and A. Stola.Pass of the Nivolet. B. Comollo and A. Stola.

Pass of the Nivolet. One of the first official photos taken in a natural environment.

Valico del Nivolet August 2001. Official photos of the Nissan Crossbow prototype.

The presentation objective was the Frankfurt Motor Show which would open its doors in the first days of September 2001.

Frankfurt 11 September 2001. The Crossbow prototype on the Nissan stand.Frankfurt 11 September 2001. The Crossbow prototype on the Nissan stand.

DECEMBER 2000

Stephane SchwarzIn December 2000, Nissan requested Stola s.p.a. the construction of another concept, the Kino, for the next Tokyo show.
A very innovative prototype with electric drive and a very complex seat and dashboard adjustment system.
The rear doors, with electric pantograph opening mechanisms were no less complex, in fact the Nissan Style Center specifically requested that there would be no classic external horizontal slide guide.
The use of natural materials in the cabin were innovotive for the time compared to the competition; the dash made from Sardinian cork in particular.
Shiro Nakamura together with the designers Schwarz and Takano direct the works that are once again carried out at the Secoli Family F&S, with a mixed team of modelers of the two companies always coordinated by Vittorio Della Rocca and Lucio Giarolo della Stola.
The painting will be done in the Stola prototype department, and the final assembly in F&S.

December 2000 The first style drawing of the Nissan Kino.

Rivoli March 2001 Alfredo Stola, Takano, Carlo Alecci and Roberto Stola.

Rivoli 2001 Takano and Stephan SchwarzRivoli 2001 Vittorio Della Rocca and Flavio Secoli

Rivoli April 2001 Vittorio Della Rocca
and Carlo CavagliàRivoli 2001 From the left we can recognize Luca Pasqual, Marco Vai, Francesco Gentile.

Rivoli September 2001 We recognize Mario Stocco, Vittorio Della Rocca, Roberto Ricci, Sokol, Vincenzo, Ricci, Nardiello, Paolo Corace and Stephan Schwarz.

Rivoli September 2001 Flavio Secoli and Renato Malandrin.Rivoli September 2001 Vittorio Della Rocca

Rivoli 2001 Michele Peralta and Claudio Nardiello.Rivoli 2001 Alfredo Stola and Gioachino Grande.

Rivoli October 2001 We recognize Stephan Schwarz, Orlano, Piero Durante, Mario Stocco, Doglioli, Flavio Secoli, Piero Corace, Francesco Vacca and Paolo Corace.

Rivoli October 2001 Alfredo Stola

Rivoli October 2001 We recognize Fr Salamanca, Fr Corace, M. Caldarola, C. Nazzario, G. Grande, Fr Corace, G. Lorenzoetto and F. Vacca.Rivoli October 2001 x and Sergio Merlo in the background
Ricci, Lorenzonetto
and Vacca.

Official photos of the Nissan Kino

Tokyo 26 October 2001 The Kino at the Nissan stand.

JANUARY 2001

Michael Mauer director of the Saab Style Center.In mid-2000, the new Director of the Saab Style Center was Michael Mauer, his assistant in Advance Design was Anthony Lo.
Both were well known, being ex-Mercedes.
To them, Stola's working method was understood and appreciated.
In January 2001, a hard see-through model was requested to be built for the X9 show car.
Antony Lo directed the construction of the style models and we can remember at least a couple of visits by Director Mauer.
The style model was much appreciated, but for reasons of workload from previously acquired projects, STOLA s.p.a. unfortunately could not continue with the running prototype, that instead, would be built in Carrozzeria Bertone.
The X9 show car, built in Caprie, will be presented the early days of 2002 at the Detroit auto show.

The only see-through model in hard material style of the Saab X9 concept made in Stola in the very first months of 2001.

2001 Anthony Lo, director of Advanced Design Saab, and his welcome letter of congratulation for the quality of the work done on the see trough model in Rivoli.