Virgilio Conrero | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1918[1] |
| Died | January 6, 1990 (aged 72) Turin, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation(s) | Automotive engineer, racing team manager |
Virgilio Conrero (1 January 1918 – 6 January 1990) was an Italian fabricator and tuner of automobiles, entrepreneur and racing team manager. He is known for tuning and racing cars from marques such as Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Opel.
History
editEarly years
editConrero was born to parents Francesco and Caterina in Turin, Italy. His family also included siblings Anita and Dante.[2]
After serving in the Regia Aeronautica as an aircraft mechanic in World War II.
Fiat Aviazione
Automobiles
editIn partnership with Giovanni Savonuzzi, an engineer he met while working at FIAT aircraft, Conrero founded Società Valdostana Automobili (SVA) (dates?, GOBI pre-dated SVA? - American company? see Italian page, now updated.) https://www.calameo.com/read/00342591443493a6aecaf
Tuning and F3 at SVA? Only Midget? No F3/Guzzi at SVA?
Nickname "Il Mago" — The Magician.
He established Autotecnica Conrero in November 1952.[2] The company successfully tuned Alfa Romeo cars until 1969.
At the same time, he tuned Lancia Aurelia models as well. (Barchettas)
There were also a very small number of cars built in the 1950s as Conrero-Alfas.
After his involvement with Alfas ended, he did tuning on Opels.
Riley and Scott (R&S) - Chevy, Ford?
"Lotus Cars, Hethel, has ordered Conrero the project and development of an engine power kit and a racing suspensions for the spectacular and exclusive "Lotus Elise Trophy". This tuning kit is available for normal Elises as well."
Twin-plug head.
The firm is now named Studio Futuro and located in Lugo. The main client is Lotus. The company offers sporting accessories for cars.
While at Ghia, Savonuzzi developed the Supersonic style. Applied to several manufacturers' chassis, the first was an Alfa Romeo 1900 built by Conrero. https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/the-story-behind-ghia-supersonic/
Conrero
Alfa Romeo
Lancia Aurelia
Alfa Romeo Goccia - Michelotti/Conrero https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/alfa-romeo-giulietta-goccia/ http://www.archivioprototipi.it/carrozzieri/michelotti/goccia.html
de Tomaso Formula One (F1) car
Siva Sirio - first shown in 1967. Ford Cologne V6 (2.0 or 2.3L)
Opel
Triumph Conrero (Check the Triumph Sabrina engine article)
Japan - Soichiro Honda, Honda F1?
Beaulieu - Conrero (I) 1951-1961 Virgilio Conrero, Moncalieri, Turin Virgilio Conrero was already an established engine tuner before he created his own sports car marque, initially building Formula Junior racing cars with Michelotti bodywork. He also essayed road cars, mostly based on Alfa Romeo, with suitably enhanced outputs, although he later favoured OSCA engines.[3]: 330
Death
editConrero died in Turin on 6 January 1990.
"Rally Storico Memorial Virgilio Conrero” (Virgilio Conrero Memorial Historic Rally) at Ivrea.
References
edit- ^ Brown, Allen (10 July 2018). "Virgilio Conrero". www.oldracingcars.com.
- ^ a b "Virgilio Conrero" (in Italian). 19–20 April 2013. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- ^ Georgano, Nick, ed. (2001). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile Volume 1. Chicago Illinois: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
Cite error: A list-defined reference named "beaulieu-c" is not used in the content (see the help page).
Further reading
edit- Sgarzi, Roberto; Daniele, Emanuele. Conrero Il Mago — Storia Di Un Uomo Innamorato Dei Motori [Conrero the Magician - Story Of A Man In Love With Engines].
- Remondino, Sergio. Virgilio Conrero: L'uomo che parlava ai "cavalli" [Virgilio Conrero: The man who spoke to the "horses"] (in Italian). Giorgio Nada Editore. ISBN 9788879119252.
External links
edit
Category:1918 births
Category:1990 deaths
Category:People from Turin
Category:Italian Air Force personnel
Category:Italian motorsport people
Category:People in the automobile industry
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