R.I.P. Luigi Della Grotta

he sold a car to a customer of mine back in the day, he picked up the car and paid by cheque. The new owner hops in the car like Boe Duke and drives to a near by gas station to fill the car with gas. Luigi watching his antics runs out waving the cheque in hand and said give me the car back, here's your cheque. After an hour of small talk Luigi relented and sold the car to him.

 

one winter many years ago a customer of ours went to see Luigi, he walks in and left snow on his floor. Luigi points him to the door and tells him to clean his boots and not to enter his home (shop) with snow .

 

did you lose the twenty pounds?

 

I think that was the last time Bernie went back

 

He must of had a great sense of humor.

 

I doubt that Vasco Bernie must have been a welcome customer,

Luigi had a sense of humour, while the grim reaper has none.

 

My wife does this the night before the cleaning lady comes....I don't get this.

Good stories though

 

LOL don't go there.

 

So who services your car?

 

Vergonia!

 

you should take your wifes example and clean your car before you bring it in for service.

 

Never gonna happen, get used to it

 

We had many Montreal customers before ferrari que opened. We still have some but its a five hour drive.

 

It's been a while since I've checked F'Chat or my facebook account, but when I was on FB last night and checking out the Ferrari Club of America page, I came across the notice that Bernardo posted on there...

I was deeply saddened to read about this. Like I mentioned on FB, Mr Luigi really nurtured and encouraged my interest in Ferraris. I started visiting his showroom when I was around 12 years old and would make a visit to his place about once a year. He always took the time to show me around the shop, let me take pictures of the cars, and on rare occasions, would let me sit in them. He would even give a little gift once in a while (like a Testarossa brochure, or my most treasured item, a key chain).

I dug up some photos earlier I had stashed away and scanned them this evening. It was from my last visit to his place, back in September 1996, just before I moved out to B.C., when he was still the franchised dealer on Vanden Abeele Street. He wished me success in my new life out west. Funny that only four years after these photos were taken, I would actually buy a Ferrari. It's too bad I couldn't get to show it to him, although, I'm sure he'd be proud...

RIP Mr. Luigi


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How awesome is that...sweet !!

Love the first pic , looks like my parents house in the city....love the Italian home flair.

 

Awesome story and pics Peter. Did you stay in touch? I see that you didnt show him your car but did you tell him you bought it?

 

Like previously mentioned in this thread, he would have been the one who had planted and took care of that garden in front. Which really made the place stand out as those who remember where this dealership was located (just east of Dorval - now named Pierre Trudeau - Airport), was pure, nondescript industrial buildings. All concrete and ashphalt. I think the place next door was some sort of computer parts supplier. And here was his place with a lush garden out front.

I was always amazed at how immaculate the showroom and garage was inside. You could literally eat off the floor.

 

Indirectly. When my parents (who now live out west too) went back to Montreal for visiting family, I had asked them to visit him and tell him about my purchase. By this time he was at his new location. This would have been around 2007.

When they stopped by he remembered them and invited them in (the shop was closed but he was there anyways). So they told him and showed him pictures of my 308. They said he simply smiled and almost shed a tear.

I know I have more photos stashed away of his place, so I'll try to find those and scan them and post them too.