ELIS GARUTI: ONE OF THE HISTORICAL ARTISANS OF MODENA SUDDENLY PASSED AWAY.

In the field of Piero Drogo, in the 1960s of the last century, inside the famous modenese “Sport Cars” body shop, where was born, among others, also the bodies of the mitic Ferrari 330 P3 and P4. Elis Garuti, who after his youth training then taken his own and operated for years in Rubiera (RE), very close to the border with the modenese territory. But especially with the modenese spirit of the historic and famous “battilastra”, growing up with the various schools of Scaglietti, Fantuzzi and, of course, the Sport Cars of Piero Drogo, active only for a decade, but famous for its car constructions and artisanals unique example: those that today we commonly define “one-off”.

And of that school, Elis Garuti had kept and developed, not only the precious practical teachings of the craft, but above all the spirit. That spirit which transformed his work into true art, from the great passion and enthusiasm that has always been, for all the time I had the luck to have known it.

A contagious passion and enthusiasm: always ready to “embark” in a new adventure, especially if it was a project, or even only the idea of a prototype of a new car. Although in reality, his main work, like that of many other sheet metal “battilastra” artisans, consisted in the restoration or reconstruction of vintage cars.

But also in this it stands out from others: in fact, he was not looking for the most famous or expensive cars, but was always enthusiasted to be able to rebuild and bring back the new special models, maybe little known, but still important in history.

I remember in his workshop in Rubiera so many strange models, which I would never see elsewhere: 50’s racing “barchette”, like Taraschi, Stanguellini, or Tojero-Jaguar, an Intermeccanica Italia (design Franco Scaglione)and in the last years, also the Aguzzoli Condor with Alfa Romeo engine!

I will always remember his pride and satisfaction for having been published on the cover of a special of the Mondadori AM magazine, dedicated to the modenese craftsmanship, which in 1994 was published as an extract from my articles.

It is no coincidence that Elis was also one of the great supporters of the idea of the “Menu dei Motori”, in 1996, nearly 25 years ago, when I was about to start the initiative, then became historical. Together with Lauro Malavolti and Elis, who was one of the first convinced supporters and sponsors!

Finally, I will never forget the dinners and lunches to which he always invited me, as soon as we had the opportunity. Every occasion were unique moments to be creative together on new projects, to the point that the common passion soon transformed our professional relationship into true friendship!

Rest in peace Elis: I am sure that even where you are now, you are already planning the construction of new prototypes that, with your passion, we enthusify and master, I am sure that they will be very beautiful!

Fabrizio Ferrari