I came across a couple of pics of Luigi from the mid 80s. Thought that folks might like. I believe the second pic was snapped shortly after he moved into his shop on Vanden-Abeele. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I just recently purchased my first Ferrari, a Silver 575M Maranello. Owning a Ferrari has been a lifelong dream that was partly inspired by my visits to Luigi Motors on St. Catherine Street many years ago when I was growing up in Montreal and attending the Dawson College downtown campus nearby (I believe it was called the Selby Campus). On one of my walks after classes I noticed a Ferrari sign posted at a garage on St. Catherine (I believe there was an Esso gas station outside but the garage had 2 or 3 floors behind with a driveway going up) and proceeded to walk up to the 2nd floor only to find a grouping of glorious Ferraris which Luigi was be working on. Every so often I would return there, but contrary to what you may have expected, though I was a young teenager at the time, Luigi never told me to leave but always allowed me to browse as long as I didn't touch anything. The fact that he was very nice to me and even discussed the different models from time to time when I started quoting figures from Road & Track magazine (which I was addicted to at the time), and Ferrari in Formula 1 of course, really cemented my love for Ferraris. Thank you Luigi, R.I.P.
Sorry but it was so many years ago, and I was so much younger at the time, I never thought to take photos. I wish I had now though.
Here's a couple from shortly before he passed on. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes, that combo is nice in person. I was shown an original 6k, one owner car here in Toronto that was ordered directly from the man himself. Stunning combo!
Car belongs to 2 of my friends who purchased it together and wanted to make sure the car remained within the Luigi Ferrari Club circle. It's absolutely stunning, great looking car indeed...was at the Montebello event 3 weeks ago.
Yup. The car has 3200kms I believe. Luigi once told me that Ferrari noticed how he had modified the seat on that particular Testarossa. He cut the headrest in half and put Daytona inserts. Supposedly they copied it for the 512TR. That car is a real time capsule. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Bernie, he looks very angry ...or should I say.....not happy in those two pictures. Wonder if he knew the end was near for him ?
Luigi was to most, an enigma. Very few were able to read him. He was always gruff and looked very intimidating to the uninitiated. Keep in mind that in those pics, he was in his new shop; a place that he was forced to move into. He wasn't very happy with that move. If anything, I saw a tired old man rambling about in his shop, thinking often about the past.
Next time I see them I'll try to snap a pic of the headrest for you guys. And no the car was never plated so they use an X plate to drive around in it. They want to keep the car a "Virgin"
As I can see from the grill it is an original Canadian car, but the parts manual also state a different lower spoiler for Canadian, do someone know the difference?
Resurrecting an old thread here, but are those first two photos taken somewhere in Rosemont? The area looks familiar... I was in Montreal this past summer. A 17 year gap since I last visited (when I last lived there). Some places still the same, others (West Island) VERY different.
Has anyone heard of George Woolley? He was well known Canadian Ferrari owner and business man... Purchased multiple cars for Luigi
