An Interview with Luciano Rupolo

Posted on Nov 23, 2022 in Antique | Comments Off on An Interview with Luciano Rupolo

“Restoration is a skilled profession. You might even call it an art in its own right, except that it is frowned on to be original. First rule of restoration: follow the intention of the artist. Never try to improve on him.” ― J.M. Coetzee, Slow Man

Automotive videos are sweeping the internet these days. The usual fare includes everything from Russian dash cam clips designed to shock, fail videos of teenage kids “hooning” the family car, to pirated copies of the latest Top Gear episodes. This week, I was lucky enough to get something I can actually call art; a video interview with Luciano Rupolo, a retired automotive restorer. The film tells the fascinating story of Rupolo’s racing history, his car collection, and his encounter with the oldest Porsche in the world.

The video was sent to me by Edoardo Vojvoda, an Italian documentary film maker and founder of Italy’s Locals Magazine. This is Vojvoda’s first automotive film, acting as Director and Editor alongside Alessandro Venier, the Director of Photography. The film is more than just interesting, it is a respectful, romantic, and even fun look into the life of a very remarkable man.

Luciano Rupolo is 70 years old in the film, but from the first frame, you can tell he loves his life and his cars. Driving a very rare and expensive Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada, or as he explains it, an Iso Grifo Competitione, he flicks the back end out like a high school kid with his first taste of automotive freedom. Driving down the winding Italian streets, the film switches from beauty shots of the car to Rupolo tugging at the wheel, trying to get the back end of the half million dollar car to lose traction. He is a kid showing off for the camera.

Throughout the movie Rupolo talks of his love of cars, starting with his father’s 1951 Giannini 750 Sport “Mardal” Barchetta race car, formerly owned by the Italian race driver Umberto Marzotto. With a sly smile, Rupolo confesses to sneaking out with the car even though he was too young to drive, an act that started him on his way to becoming an accomplished race driver in his own right. His racing history includes 7 tours of Italy, 15 Mille Miglia races and the Targa Florio.

Though his car collection is small, it is truly astounding. Most impressive is the Bizzarrini/Iso, but other great marques include a stunning Ferrari 250 GT/E, a race version 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe, an Alfa Romeo 2600 Spyder, an early Porsche 356, and a cute little Fiat 500. All are crammed into a small garage like the secret addition of a very rich hoarder.

Rupolo’s claim to fame is his discovery and restoration of the “oldest Porsche in the world.” The car is chassis number 04, and is the earliest registered Porsche in existence. Rupolo explains that there was no number 01 or 02, and number 03 was registered a year after his. He found the car in a garage in Italy, purchased it, and forgot it in a corner for 10 years. It wasn’t until he saw another early Porsche at the factory museum that he understood how special his car really was. Eventually, troubles forced him to sell it to an anonymous buyer, rumored to already be in possession of number 03.

This movie is superb, and treats the cars and Rupolo with a lighthearted respect not found in many automotive films. There is a clip at the 9:53 mark where Rupolo “hoons” his Bizzarrini, performing donuts for the camera. It alone is worth the price of any admission. When it is over, you get the sense that Rupolo is in love with his cars, and the director is in love with his craft.