A Test Track In The Sky: The Story Of Fiat's Lingotto Factory

Automobile factories are often impressive, be it for their sheer size or the complex manufacturing processes happening inside them.
But few become true architectural landmarks, and possibly none is more iconic than Fiat's Lingotto in Turin, whose defining feature is a rooftop test track that's been sparking people's imagination for decades.
Here's the story of Fiat's famed Lingotto production plant, about a hundred years from its inauguration and forty since it produced the last vehicle.
Designed by the engineer Giacomo Matté Trucco, the Lingotto was deliberately inspired by Ford's Highland Park plant, and Fiat's not-so-secret aim to streamline production the same way is visually evident in the five-story, over five hundred meters long structure.
The rooftop test track's total length is about 1.5 Km, with the two straightaways connected by two spectacular banked curves designed for speeds of up to 90 Km/h: more than enough for the 1920s, when most cars struggled to go past 70.
But the Lingotto was soon to prove less than ideal for high-volume production: the multi-story structure meant the heavier machinery had to stay on the lower levels for structural reasons, and the presence of support columns every six meters was also a constraint.
#history #turin #fiat
This more or less capped the Lingotto's output to around 300 vehicles per day by the 1930s, leading Fiat to start designing the new, sprawling Mirafiori complex less than ten years after the Lingotto's completion.
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[@arthuralford]

Seeing the repurposing of Lingotto demonstrates how old buildings don't always have to be demolished when they're no longer useful for their original purpose

[@lovemadeinjapan]

I was actually surprised that this was done very decent in A) Italy, which overall seems to have lost any interest in preserving modernist design, try counting any modern villa's if you visit the country!, B) Torino, which does not seem to be such a wealthy city, C) the recreation was already done in the nineties, while buildings like this around the world were still rotting away. So it was ahead of its time in 1913, but it is still ahead of its time with the nineties Piano renovation. Only bad thing is the shopping mall, it is a very generic suburban mall with big brands only, and its visitors have 0 idea of the importance of the building for the city. The museum on top is nearly abandoned compared to the mall.

[@alastairwatson3201]

Where industry meets art meets architecture! What an amazing facility! A coliseum to the automobile, if ever there were one?

[@hanspeeters3246]

Thank you Matteo for covering the fascinating Lingotto story. I didn't know that it was so badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt! I actually drove my own car on the Lingotto roof track - parabolica curves included - twice! This was years ago when it hadn't become a public park yet and when security wasn't what it is today. Have the photographic material to prove it! 🙂

[@peterjennings8258]

I drove round half of the track at the lancia centenary celebrations in 2006, a great trip, once I finished my run I was given my event grille badge while still on the roof track, and my integrale still wears the badge today.

[@Matteo_Licata]

That’s cool! In 2010 I went up to the track with my Mazda MX5: there was a restaurant up there, and if you had a reservation you could park your car above. That was the only reason I booked, but the food wasn’t bad either :)

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

@@peterjennings8258 fantastic memories for you.

[@nessuno5403]

What car was it, Hans? Lucky!

[@hanspeeters3246]

@@nessuno5403 The first time it was with a Lotus Elise which is low enough to pass underneath the boom gate that provides access to the Southern ramp that gets you to the roof track. By the time that security had found out I already had my photoshoot of my car parked in the parabolica completed! :-) The second time was with a Lancia Fulvia when to my surprise I found the access boom gate open and unguarded. Nice photos though. This was roughly 10 years ago and I think it is almost impossible to do this today.

[@BanjoLuke1]

Excellent video. This place must be worth a visit. The mahogany 500 is exquisite. I saw a picture of it as a child and it blew me away. On a side note, if I were planning a bullion robbery (I'm not, but if I were) I would probably include a few laps of the Lingotto test track on my escape route.

[@Matteo_Licata]

As you do! :) But keep an eye out for the mafia and their stylish black Fiat Dinos 😆

[@martinclapton2724]

Always would love to visit. Never forget Micheal Caine and his three Mini Coopers charging around the top as they make way our of Turin with the Gold loot. Also remember seeing a film of Agnelli driving his “favourite” Fiat round the top, I vaguely remember it was a 132 , but perhaps you might correct me there, Matteo.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I haven’t seen that Agnelli footage, so now I’m curious! I’ll search for it

[@Suprahampton]

My favourite Lingotto moment is it's brief appearance in the iconic British heist film The Italian Job (1969)

[@Matteo_Licata]

I bet it is :) Got that movie's poster on my wall actually, here at Roadster Life HQ. That movie is always a good time, even after all these years.

[@gearhead9828]

Wow, this was extremely interesting. Maybe the start of a series? Thank you so much! Ciao 🙋‍♂️

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. And yes, it is indeed the start of a miniseries: expect another significant building next week ;)

[@nearlythere9443]

In 2019 I was lucky enough with a group of other Alfa Romeo owners from the UK to be able to drive on the rooftop track. Although the drive on the roof (we were only able to drive on the one half, but including the banked section) was very very memorable, the climb up the corkscrew 'ramp' in my 1972 Alfa Romeo Spider was stunning, concrete as a work of art!

[@Matteo_Licata]

That must be a cherished memory of yours indeed, fantastic!

[@lamiaitaly2549]

Thank you. Visiting Lingotto is top of my list of things to do in Turin - especially to see the mahogany Fiat 500 which I knew nothing about and really is a work of art. The story of Lingotto is very moving, from being innovative and outdated, almost destroyed and rebuilt and ultimately being used for something very different to what was originally intended. Great video

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much! I kind of knew that this video was something right up your alley, so I’m glad you appreciated it. Feel free to get in touch whenever you’ll visit Turin, by the way!

[@martbeth5490]

Great video, very informative. Lingotto is now on my must-see list!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@kidoctane]

We had the pleasure of staying in the hotel and of course visiting the rooftop track in late 2019. It was a very nice experience. Quite liked Torino

[@joshuaagassi2874]

Thank you for sharing this historic building. I wish that I had a race track on my roof! Probably did a lot of noise and annoyed the neighbours 😂

[@TheBTG88]

I did a lap around the track in a Lambo and then had lunch in the rooftop restaurant. It's definitely a cool place.

[@richardrichard5409]

I'm writing this laying on a bed in the Lingotto Hotel. Just downloaded a technical paper on the factory, interestingly it was never a success for Fiat. From the first few weeks in it was realised the layed production method was creating many efficency problems...they hoped for 200 units a day, actually achievement 60 to 80. The helical ramps were installed a few years in, an effort to ease things, but still not to predicted targets. ...and the cool test track wasn't testing production vehicles from the late 30s onwards, vehicle vibration was causing structural issues and localised damage. Worth searching for the tech paper, very interesting read. 😎

[@Tomshon9909]

Oh my god, and we missed the visit of that building. What can we do! We will have to travel to Turin once again! Thank you for the MAuto guide! And thank you for this video. Interesting building!

[@Matteo_Licata]

It’s been a pleasure to meet you too, and don’t worry the Lingotto doesn’t move, you’ll visit it next time 👍

[@Tomshon9909]

@@Matteo_Licata now we know we have to visit Turin once again!

[@CorseSquadra]

Thank you for this thorough and mostly unknown depiction of the Lingotto factory. The rooftop test track was aspirational for Italy, back when FIAT owned essentially all of the country's industry. Although it's a shame that it hasn't been converted into an automotive museum (which would draw worldwide interest), at least it still stands in all its glory. It would be fascinating to make a video about the other iconic Turin factory, the legendary Grattacielo Lancia, built in the '50s, a pinnacle of European industrial design. As always, love your work. Greetings from Cyprus!

[@Matteo_Licata]

You’ve been reading my mind: I’m actually preparing the story of the Grattacielo Lancia as my next upload :) Watch this space!

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Perfect timing Matteo! I’ll be visiting Torino next month and Lingotto was on my list of places to see. I hadn’t realised it had been bombed so severely during the war or that car production ended only to restart in the fifties and not end finally until the eighties. Grazie mille per un video fantastico Matteo

[@Matteo_Licata]

So glad you enjoyed it, thank you! By the way, feel free to get in touch when you’ll arrive in Turin: if you want, I’ll happily join you for a coffee ☕️

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

@@Matteo_Licata I shall do that ☕️😊🇬🇧🇮🇹

[@nessuno5403]

*Grazie

[@GreasyFingers]

BRILLANT film, Matteo. I predict it to peak 1 mio views in the coming years. And a nice coincidence too. I’m going to release my Topolino film this week.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you very much Johannes! I hope your prediction will prove to be correct, and I look forward to your Topolino video! 👍

[@studiocalder818]

Please let us know where you can watch your movie. I wish you great success

[@Santos.Sarmento]

Grazie per questo video Matteo. Non importa quanto un appassionato conosca la storia, c'è sempre qualche informazione che è sfuggita. Conoscevo questo iconico edificio della Fiat ma confesso umilmente la mia ignoranza perché, per qualche motivo, non ne ho mai saputo il nome. Carenza sanata. Saluti dal Brasile.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Grazie mille, mi fa piacere ti sia piaciuto il video!

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

Fascinating video, it’s makes me want to visit the famous building and enjoy Italy in general

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!! That's great to hear, as it's exactly the feeling I wanted this video to transmit :)

[@davidgrainger5994]

I had the pleasure of driving on that track a few years ago for a series we were shooting. Great fun although we could only drive the ramp on one end as the other was damaged.

[@Matteo_Licata]

That’s cool! Which series that was?

[@simonelliott5956]

I’ve always loved this building and plan on visiting one day. Thank you for another great video.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@aldostefanini1392]

VIVA ITALIA FORZA 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇮🇹🇮🇹 Grazia questo! Greetings from South Africa

[@nessuno5403]

*Grazie

[@audiman63]

What a wonderful piece of Italian history ! I will be there on August 16th. I'll visit Torino as well. And I will drive there with my Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 2.5 V6 ;) The next day, I'll visit the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese. As I would be in Italy from August 16th to August 18th, I was wondering if I could meet you there (either in Torino or in Milano/Arese), if you can and if you want, of course...

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cool! Of course we can meet, drop me an e-mail at [e-mail] 👍

[@audiman63]

@@Matteo_Licata Thank you very much ;) I've sent you an email maybe a month ago. I can send it to you again :)

[@Matteo_Licata]

Ouch, it must have been mistakenly flagged as spam. I’ll retrieve it 👍

[@audiman63]

@@Matteo_Licata No worries 🙂 I've sent another email !

[@studiocalder818]

How wonderful. So I wish you a good trip on the fantastic 156 SW and a good meeting between enthusiasts!

[@UPnDOWN]

I really enjoyed that Matteo, thanks!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you! Glad to hear it, as I'm preparing another Italian automotive-related building story as my next video :)

[@richfixescars]

On my list when I visit Torino to see the Bertone factory also, where my X1/9 was born. Maybe also Caprie and Arese museum.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Let me know when you’ll visit, so we can meet for a coffee ☕️ The Arese museum is a must, but don’t expect much from Caprie: it’s just a small mountain town, the old Stile Bertone building now belongs to another entity that bought it at the bankruptcy auction. Anything of interest, exterior sign included, was already taken away and sold off too.

[@richfixescars]

@@Matteo_Licata Such as shame Caprie could not have become an ASI museum.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Bertone collection does indeed deserve a much better home than Volandia, where it is now. But it all takes money, and ASI apparently isn’t able or willing to finance a proper museum venue for it.

[@michaflak5174]

Great! Was waiting for this :)

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Excellent video - and fascinating! Many thanks!!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@TheAlfajuls]

Palacio Alcorta en Buenos Aires have a similar story. Thanks for the video!

[@jayartz8562]

That wooden 500 is marvellous.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Indeed 👍

[@fhwolthuis]

Thank you for this interesting video, Matteo!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@kobuserasmus2934]

Fantastic story, thank you for sharing

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!

[@albertcars4001]

Espectacular documentary, congratuliations!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!! I’m glad you liked it so much 👍

[@paullacey2999]

A test track on the roof!Health&Safety would never allow it now..

[@alister_grigg]

Another enjoyable and informative video - thank you :)

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you liked it, thank you!

[@alaskanrockvodka9622]

Ottimo lavoro, mate. Love this so much. What a place.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!!!!

[@darrenwilson8042]

Iconic - most Brits even those who are not car nuts know it from the Italian Job ( the original - correct one )

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Italian title for that great classic was "Un Colpo All'Italiana," and I have the poster on my wall here at Roadster Life HQ :) Such a fun, cool movie, love it too

[@joseantonioarandagarcia9966]

Really cool and interesting video Matteo! So sad when I've visited Lingotto it wasn't allowed going out to the track. It would be really fun turning it on a pedal car!

[@Matteo_Licata]

You should come back then ;) Now it's open and you can go whenever you want. By the way, the Stellantis Heritage Hub is open to the public on select days...

[@joseantonioarandagarcia9966]

@@Matteo_Licata Good excuse to cancel me back my friend!

[@brunotulliani]

Fabulous story and a truly beautiful building. Grazie!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@AaronSpielman]

Brilliant video!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!

[@j.mendez6822]

Estuve en el año 19, y en la exposición de Gandini en el Mauto y; como no, en el Centro histórico Fiat. Una pasada Turín, eso si los bares y restaurantes cierran demasiado pronto para un gallego como yo.

[@MrTheunivideo]

Incredible.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Thank you!!

[@TheInstructor66]

Great video again, Matteo.👏🏻 Me: Wondering what Matteo have next? Matteo: historic building regarding italian cars. Me (interested in old cars (especial italians), buildings, and history in general: 🤓 I presume the bank of that turn is steeper than Ehra-Lessien(?), due to the different in speed you can obtain.

[@Matteo_Licata]

So glad to see you liked this slightly-different-than-usual video. I don’t know the angle, but the Lingotto’s banked curves are plenty steep enough to make walking up them a struggle.

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

Thanks!

[@anderslarsson6149]

Very interesting 👌🏻😃

[@peterjennings8258]

I visited Turin in 2006 and drove part of this test track with the lancia club Italia, I was thinking of it yesterday and thoughts of the Lancia plant at Chivasso , I know Maggiora acquired part of it to assemble the Lancia Delta evo2, and then the Fiat Barchetta, what happened to the site when Maggiora closed in the early 2000s? Also the La Mandria test track, I gather its now closed, what happened to the site? Regards Peter.

[@Matteo_Licata]

The former Lancia site at Chivasso still exists, and parts of it are still used by local industries. I should check it out though, haven’t been there in years! Regarding the La Mandria track, plans were being made between Stellantis and the local authorities to turn it into a public park, but haven’t heard of any progress since. I’ll research that!

[@peterjennings8258]

@@Matteo_Licata happy new year! I thought you would know! I drove La mandria also in 2006 in the same trip, and met Georgio Pianta and got his signature which I still treasure today! Such history there to the fiat competition cars.

[@Matteo_Licata]

Wow, that’s cool! I bet you treasure that signature 👍

[@rabit818]

Futurism before the Jetson’s

[@johndangelo9630]

BRAVO!!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Grazie!!

[@Random-nf7qb]

May I suggest a video on the 124R? :)

[@Matteo_Licata]

Done it: The Fiat 124 Berlina: From Italy To The World kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJPIh6SNmtKXe7M

[@anakondase]

I don't know why but the video doesn't want to play at all. I can view any other video on YT but this just has a rotating icon and never starts. On that note. I have a book "Il Lingotto" by Nino Monastra with lots of pictures from there. I knew him personally since he was a customer on the garage I worked at a few years ago. Sad to say he drove a Renault.

[@anakondase]

Strange. If I went into your channel and chose the video from there it starts without issue, but not if I select it from my notifications. Just want to add. The book I'm referring to is made from pictures taken in the years after the factory was closed down so it looks very abandoned and in a sad state. That's why I was so surprised by your video since I expected it to be more or less a ruin by now. Makes me glad that the complex is repurposed and saved for the future. I wish that the same had been the case with Arese.

[@Matteo_Licata]

I can’t help for the technical issues unfortunately. Regarding Arese, my Alfista heart agrees with you but, from a rational point of view, the older Portello buildings withing Milan were more worthy of being preserved and repurposed. Unfortunately, that also never happened.

[@nrs6956]

Italy designs whether autos, architecture with a passion where as Germany with precision. Viva Alfa Romeo.

[@davidpeters6536]

And the chase in the 1969 Italian Job movie?

[@BigFanofCars]

A garden on the track?! That wasn't there before! How will cars be able to enter the track again?!

[@Matteo_Licata]

Cars can still drive and access the track but, just as it has been before, only for specific special events. Driving up there with your private vehicle wasn't allowed anyways

[@nessuno5403]

Prossimamente... Mirafiori? E altri stabilimenti? 🙂

[@Matteo_Licata]

Mirafiori è un po' complicato: essendo ancora attivo, per filmare lì dovrei chiedere ed ottenere un'infinità di permessi. Ma, se sul sito di Stellantis dedicato al materiale stampa dovesse esserci abbastanza girato... Forse! :)

[@nessuno5403]

@@Matteo_Licata tentar non nuoce. Digli che hai quasi 20 mila seguaci 😜

[@killersmith92]

They ruined the test track in my opinion. Should have restored it completely and made it a go-karting track. Could have the cars look like old cars and rent them and ran public races anyone could enter. Raise walls a lil so noone can fall off the edge and even toss a barb fence up on top if that worried. I feel it would have payed a better homage to the automobile factory and industry.

[@rusav81]

Vogliono trasformare la pista in un giardino

[@Matteo_Licata]

Lo hanno già fatto. Ed è visitabile, come ho fatto io per il video.

[@rusav81]

@@Matteo_Licata torino, da città dell'auto è diventata città contro l'auto