The name of Vittorio Stanguellini has a special ring to it when talking about automobiles and innovation. His vision and technical insight transformed the world of racing cars, making an unforgettable mark on motorsport history.
When exploring the technical sheets on single-seater and sports cars on our website and at the museum, you immediately notice one surprising feature: the greatly reduced weights. This lightness is no accident, but comes from careful design and innovative solutions. Vittorio Stanguellini was known for his often imaginative ideas, so much so that he was called “The Magician of Modena” by the motoring journalist Gianni Marin from Auto Sport Italiana in an issue from 15 October 1958.
A focus on weight
When Stanguellini began making single-seaters in the 1950s, he paid great attention to the weight of the cars. One obvious example is the simple aluminium bodywork finishing made by Carrozzeria Gransport in Modena. But Vittorio’s real innovation involved a hidden detail on the rear axle.
At the time, Stanguellini single-seaters used a rigid axle solution to support the rear wheels. This solution, also commonly found on modern cars, requires a component called a “Panhard rod” to stop any unwanted horizontal movements of the rigid axle.
Vittorio Stanguellini’s innovation
This is where Vittorio Stanguellini’s ingenuity came into play. The “Magician of Modena” replaced the Panhard rod with a dual steel wire tie-rod, patenting this solution. This resulted in a considerable saving in weight, simplified maintenance, a better machine setup and a major improvement in cornering grip.
This innovation not only shows Stanguellini’s genius, but also his practical and intuitive approach to design. Vittorio did not settle for conventional solutions; he always sought ways to improve the performance and efficiency of his cars.
Vittorio Stanguellini’s legacy is full of revolutionary ideas and an incredible passion for motor racing. His technical insight influenced the design of racing cars and still inspires designers and engineers to this day. Welcome to the world of innovation, welcome to the world of Vittorio Stanguellini.