Today is a sad day for Ferrari. We lost a friend, a travel companion, a man who had his name forever connected to the Prancing Horse - Luca di Montezemolo

Sergio Scaglietti the man who designed and created the sleek bodies of the 250 Testa Rossa, 500 Mondial and many other famous Ferraris, has died aged 91 in Modena – Ferrari have led the tributes to the creator of some of the most spectacular cars ever built. Unsurprising, as the designer-engineer enjoyed perhaps the closest working relationship with the Scuderia.

Scaglietti opened Carrozzeria Scaglietti in 1951 - just across the road from Ferrari in Maranello, Italy, and his designs soon attracted the interest of Enzo Ferrari. As a result, he was entrusted with the design of a string of Ferrari road- and race-cars during the 1950s. 

Ferrari and Scaglietti became firm friends and worked together for years. Scaglietti's shop built the Ferrari 250 GTO (a Scaglietti design) and 250 California. Ferrari now owns the former Scaglietti shop, where the Ferrari F458 Italia and 612 are built. The Ferrari 612 car carries Scaglietti's name.

The friendship between Enzo and Sergio was legendary – 'He was one of my father's best friends,' said Piero Ferrari. 'He was next to me with Marco Piccinini also the day my father died and stayed with me the whole night until the funeral. I loved him and he was a very important part of my life. The world is emptier without Sergio'.

'Today is a sad day for Ferrari. We lost a friend, a travel companion, a man who had his name forever connected to the Prancing Horse. Sergio Scaglietti leaves behind the legacy of an artist who with his talent created some of the most beautiful cars of our history. Who had the luck to know him like I did will also remember him as a straightforward and honest man, completely dedicated to his work. We will miss him,' said Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

Read the full obituary in the February 2012 issue of Octane.