Bacchelli & Villa: The Italian Restoration Maestros

The workspace of this long-running restoration shop in the Modenese commune of Bastiglia is brightly lit, spotlessly clean, and religiously organized-if you squint, it doesn’t look far off from a science fiction film laboratory set.
But at Bacchelli & Villa, you will find an abundance of good old hammers and welding torches alongside the high tech gear. Here the panels are beaten by hand, and passion is just as much of a prerequisite for getting a job here as raw talent. After all, it’s better to have both.
Franco Bacchelli started the company that bears his name in the early 1970s with his late second cousin, Roberto Villa, after his apprenticeship preparing (and repairing) Ferrari spots racing cars with none other than Piero Drogo in the 1960s. When Bacchelli opened his own business, he started with small cars and built an early reputation on more humble machines like the Fiat 500. In due time, however, he became certified by Ferrari and was working on Gianni Agnelli’s Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona-you could say he came full circle in terms of his work with Fiat.
In the time since, the shop has become one of the foremost destinations anywhere for Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other classic exotica, but the same enthusiasm and dedication is still the driving force behind the world-class work that goes on at Bacchelli & Villa.
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[@muhammadzailani7313]

I don't understand Italian, but listening to this old gentleman speak is just glamorous.

[@jaydenoloughlin6694]

Now this is the Petrolicious we know and love. Great job.

[@MrBenzcdi]

Agree. And I’m the 100th thumbs up 👍

[@midknight]

No talk of HPs, torque or 0-100 figures. Only passion for creating perfect bodywork. Gotta love the Italians ❤️

[@banmadabon]

@Theodore Misc Art is never perfect. If you want perfection go German or Swiss but your heart will never skip a beat watching a BMW...

[@netzer7739]

" con la passione si arriva lontano", il senso della storia di questa azienda sta in queste parole.

[@Vincenzo-wn1or]

Humility always accompanies true greatness and genius .. this gentleman completely embodies this

[@sahil-ml1zl]

listening the voice in italian and being able to understand it makes it even better

[@alexioflexio8818]

ma sei proprio un figo allora

[@elgar6743]

@@alexioflexio8818 hahaahahah

[@johnnyboy1586]

I don't understand him ,but nice to listen to a beautiful language 🙂

[@brownjames6997]

Ehhhh sapessi …….

[@minimoe2008]

I miss Italy so much. Glad I had the opportunity to live there, learn the language and culture. I use to help my neighbor with restoring Lambretta's and Moto Guzzi's. He use to own his own repair shop in Pordenone until he retired in 2005.

[@moe5046]

Please make a series of movies of some sort...absolutely amazing . ive seen this vid almost 4 times and still watching and want more of this stuff,i hid in the garage to work on my car now

[@agcacustoms2852]

I love metal working videos and this made me happy. That is amazing craftsmanship and sadly a lost and almost forgotten art in a computer world.

[@cathalfolan8441]

Not really. Restoring and these old cars is a lucrative business. Shops all over europe and the US still practice these techniques. This old dude got stinking rich doing it.

[@stefanonicola3445]

Professioni d'altri tempi - che meraviglia l'arte della carrozzeria affiancata ad una passione senza limiti. Incredible!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

I loved that. Thankfully I can understand most of it with my Medium level Italian. Bravo

[@SMlFFY85]

You can understand the rest of it if you turn the subtitles on.

[@ControCultura-]

Alberto speaks quiet clear, usually old men have a very strong accent but he doesn't. Btw as an italian I could hear Modena's accent.

[@Vincenzo-wn1or]

@@ControCultura- yes .. this gentleman takes as much care in crafting his sentences as he does with his cars

[@rmr5184]

This is probably the most relaxing, most instructive and at the same time most exciting video I've watched so far on youtube! We all need to acknowledge that this is the pinnackle of restoration.

[@vincentwhite7693]

"We all need to acknowledge that this is the pinnackle of restoration." While no doupt this is a very skilled shop, talent knows no borders, or obstacles, and this level, (and beyond) is not too hard to find. (me-35 yrs in the metal working trades.)

[@vincentwhite7693]

When I say "and beyond", there are shops who hand form and file finish panels, and would never let bondo in the shop....body solder if need be.

[@BasicFolders]

I got *SO* much from this video.... and I didn't understand a single word he said. 💙

[@mattiafioravanti8475]

You could have tried with eng subs on!

[@BasicFolders]

@@mattiafioravanti8475 I was watching the shop space and the work they were doing.... super interesting. 👍 (but probably worth a rewatch with those on, too.)

[@harshgulzar8325]

You understood his feelings bro

[@leovomend8789]

Its about how he got started and what they primarily do, like what cars they restore and how they got to be certified ferrari restorers

[@Redhillmotorsport]

I got “Pam Beach, Florida”

[@GPscuderia]

Belissimo! Italian cars are the soul of the automotive industry.

[@craigdavis3451]

I didn’t understand anything , and yet it was so compelling to watch - pure mastery of the craft

[@nyseguy74]

Reminiscent of the original Petrolicious format...bravo!

[@gnarshread]

I have the utmost reverence for the people who can do this kind of work. I'm out here trying to slap together a B5 Audi with GT28's I bought online like a caveman and this gentleman is producing art at the highest level.

[@udn9930]

Per una volta si vedono giovani al lavoro in queste carrozzerie storiche, spero vadano ancora avanti a lungo. Notevole anche la pulizia dell’ambiente, alto livello.

[@CloudyCub285]

Subscribing to this channel is one of the better things I've done in my life

[@andre-xy4wv]

Ho la pelle d'oca. Uomini incredibili e questo è l'ennesimo video che finisce troppo troppo presto.

[@shawnclyne1904]

No translation needed. Real " Bodymen"! Craftsmanship and Artistry at its finest.

[@PeterPug]

Beautiful. Hope this craftsmanship never dies.

[@LaleChuck]

In Italia esistono ancora realtà artigiane meravigliose. Bellissimo video, grazie

[@alessandrodaltoso]

Sicuramente uno dei massimi esperti nell'arte della carrozzeria,un maestro.Bacchelli è un grande nome,altissimo artigianato vanto del nostro Paese 🎖️🎖️🎖️👍

[@bacicalupo4929]

The attention to detail is superb this is pure dedication to the craft.

[@word67]

Fantastic Bravo Petrolicious! Bravo passion!

[@somu.22]

Video is beautiful....❤️ And I'm very happy to see this old format... . Now this is PETROLICIOUS

[@bigsilewis3660]

Absolute art.

[@Thomas..Anderson]

I did not understand a single word...yet it was beautiful.

[@nickprice3605]

😍 beautiful film, such passion and skill

[@PETROS747]

VERY EMOTION VIDEO NICE!

[@motox2051]

Absolutely mind blowing Viva Italy!

[@Tracertme]

I beautiful video and I was so pleased to see a young man learning the old way of craftsmanship, he will be wealthy one day, when he is the only man standing knowing how to restore properly.

[@Kellsboro]

Master craftsmen with restoration efforts a true labor of love.

[@DJ-jp6xc]

Full respect for the work that they perform! There are not many places and skilled persons like them

[@PanAmRacer]

Caro signor Baccelli, grazie per aver condiviso la tua storia, da quando ero giovane dico che se Dio ha mai fatto qualcosa di più bello di una donna, più capace di suscitare la mia emozione ... lo ha tenuto lì. sono Ferrari!

Forget modernity & all its impermanence, this...the noblest profession in the world still provides awe at its grandest scope & with it live on the legends of the road delighting devotees of the many esteemed marques restored to glory. That's a profession someone could do BLIND, as its mostly touch & feel, a master smith would only need a point here or there & still their craft would serve its daily portion.

[@campboundodyssey]

what a video. cars, great story teller and passionate. love it!

[@fhgu8051]

Molto bello, i just started to learn some italian and did atleast understand the numbers and some words with out the subtitles. Looks like great workmanship all around.

[@pccalcio]

Complimenti signor Franco, e grazie per aver condiviso con noi la sua storia e la sua passione.

[@aranciodarius2002]

solo con la passione si arriva a questi livelli eccellenze del mondo

[@deltamedia7566]

I just re-subscribed. I hope you will keep this tried and tested format. Don’t change a winning team.

[@leovomend8789]

Really nice video, and really nice story from the man, funny how they're like a certified restorer by ferrari and co but they're still marking cuts with sharpies, so italian

[@martinolesen164]

Been there in person - Incredible work!

[@rogergags]

this is one of the best segments you have ever made......true passion and love expressed in metal.

[@caccaminguscia]

"auto che correvano la domenica" ☺️ Probably the best petrolicious video ever

[@danieledriver1582]

Complimenti..vi stimo tantissimo per il vostro lavoro..

[@teamdetailcaseros]

Que hermoso poder trabajar esas máquinas con tanta historia, uno de mis sueños es aprender el oficio de carrocero. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@oscarcaruso204]

Te esperamos! 🇺🇸

[@philc4520]

Love it. From the heart.

[@marcosantonocito8876]

Keep making these videos truly incredible!!!

[@sujithraj4u]

this is how FORM BECAME FUNCTION🔥

[@reycaballero2462]

Its so satisfying to watch a tradesmen create something so beautiful from his bear hands.

[@banmadabon]

Handling hammers with hairy paws is a big handicap. Props to the bear-man!

[@motorfab7014]

Fortunato chi ha potuto affidare uno dei suoi gioielli ad artigiani così in gamba Spero che questo sapere venga tramandato alle generazioni più giovani

[@petedavis1420]

Bravo, again!

[@Grin29]

È stato un grande piacere di ascoltare la sua storia

[@simocosta9088]

Vero genio italiano!!!! Grandissimi!!!!

[@johnpick8336]

What an amazing place !

[@psk5746]

If they don't make replicas, I fully respect their skills in bringing these mobile art forms back to their former glory

[@Mercmad]

They do in New Zealand .look up Tempero.

[@julehendricks2035]

Love it. Wishing it was my passion to do it.

[@tgwkk9167]

Awesome - simply awesome!

[@cindysue5474]

Wow would love to see a long video of the countach being restored.

[@cybersurfer2010]

Whooo this is very nice.... honour to work there...

[@marottajoe]

Allora anche uno Italo Canadese come me ha capito tutto quello ha spiegato. Parla veramente bene. Mille grazie.

[@MindDezign]

Magnifico !!!

[@lemonthyme1971]

Amazing video!

[@stephen-john1677]

Anything is better then that other homie speaking, loved this 😍

[@andreazoli6407]

Mi sono commosso un pochino❤️

[@miguelangelmendoza1643]

Que hermoso arte, trabajar en verdaderas obras de arte creo que es como comparar las obras de los maravillosos renacentistas Miguel Angel, Leonardo, Rafael....mas que un trabajo es un privilejio, mas que un trabajo es un deleite, estoy emosionado....wow!

[@jaredking2610]

Authentic

[@gamby16a]

Lowkey amazed at how few people in the comments know how to work captions/subtitles on KZbin. I'd love to see that LP400 Countach through their resto process.

[@matthiasmartin1975]

Thanks for not baking subtitles into the video, very classy.

[@retobasciani8392]

passione! 🍀👍

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

Excellent!

[@komradkolonel]

It's fascinating to watch how a car gets restored from start to finish. Restorations are usually much better than the factory car was because on the assembly line they are in a hurry where as during a restoration they pay a lot of attention to detail.

[@Handbuilt1]

Molto bravi!

[@stevejanka361]

Good afternoon, excellent video. What brand of vehicle rottisery is that. It really allows for great access to the underneath areas. Thanks and take care.

[@BINSPRD]

must be so cool to work there...

[@paulocuento9949]

Hello Petrolicious. i just wanna say i love your videos. and i hope to see RUNGE Cars here some day. the guy is a mechanic who built his own interpretation of cars (from the 30's, i guess?). anyway, he is as close to petrolicious as can be! :D

[@benzinapaul7416]

Interesting to see the difference between the italian way of hammering the alloy and then using a thin layer of filler to create a smooth surface versus the use of the 'english wheel' in the UK to create a smooth panel. I realise that Scaglietti used the former method originally so to be authentic it should be used now yet many of the reknowned UK restorers use their homegrown method.

[@carminesica1768]

Patrimonio dell’umanità

[@ezioalsino8092]

Arte italiana !!!!!!

[@MrLundefaret]

This was very good!

[@RESPINOZA94]

Well it’s a good thing I was taking Italian courses

[@subasurf]

I'd quit my job as analyst and work there in a heartbeat

[@212ntruesdale]

Que bello!

[@edwinthomas618]

When I saw his birdseye jacket...I knew he was behind some special.

[@BEdwardStover]

I have to run it twice. Once to read what he is saying and a second time to actually watch the video.

[@keithsclassicgarage1133]

Bella!

[@brendanburke6138]

This is great, any chance releasing this vlog with subtiles?

[@morgansalvaggio7315]

splendido

[@itrevinoz]

The video is good but the music is so sad that it makes me wanna cry...

[@tizile]

Noi italiani sappiamo fare la vera arte.

[@michelechiarini169]

Questa é la vera Italia!

[@ajiirawan8376]

Nice video

[@no.23infinity26]

I did not understand a word but that's ok, I saw everything I needed to understand.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

You can enable subtitles anyway.

[@3ducs]

I would venture that some of the footage is deliberately overexposed for effect. Having done many of the things shown in this video I can say that lower light levels to include shadows is helpful when developing shapes and contours. The hand is often the final judge though, one feels for rightness of shape.

[@francescop3790]

Maestro

[@ionacjohnj.59]

❤️

[@Laguna2013]

This team seems like the best of the best so I am perplexed in seeing so much body filler being applied. I thought that was reserved for quick and dirty lower end repairs.

[@maxakarudy]

You might be comparing your expectations to panel beaters that wheel panels to shape such as in the UK, original Ferraris were full of filler, Aston Martins had none

[@banmadabon]

@@maxakarudy A brick shaped car doesn't need filler...

[@williameichner7177]

Bellissimo petrolicious