The Fiat Lingotto Factory in Turin was built in the 1920s and was the largest and most modern car manufacturing plant in Europe and second in the world at the time. It is five storeys high with a test track atop the roof and cars were moved upwards from floor to floor to be tested on the track when completed. The factory was eventually closed in 1982 but, thankfully, didn't fall into ruin as such places usually do. In 1985, it was converted and made into a multi-purpose centre that still retained the original architectural identity of the structure. It is now used commercially by various companies and businesses and is readily accessible to the public. If you want to see this amazing roof-top track for yourself, find a villa with pool in Piedmont and make your way to Turin.
The exterior is largely unchanged but the interior has been drastically redesigned in order to house an exhibition centre, a conference centre and auditorium, two hotels, offices and retail space.
Fiat's management headquarters even acquired an office block in the space in 1997 so that it is still the spiritual and physical home of the company. The Turin Polytechnic automotive engineering department is also housed in the building, continuing the legacy of auto-mobile innovation in the space.
Fiat's management headquarters even acquired an office block in the space in 1997 so that it is still the spiritual and physical home of the company. The Turin Polytechnic automotive engineering department is also housed in the building, continuing the legacy of auto-mobile innovation in the space.
Lingotto was designed by engineer Giacomo Mattè-Trucco and was one of the first buildings of its size to rely heavily on reinforced concrete in the construction process. The rooftop test track's banked turns were made of a series of concrete ribs in a technique that had not been widely used before Lingotto's construction. Its presence was not a novelty but an important part of the manufacturing process. The factory had an upward spiral assembly line so that each Fiat was put together while progressing upwards. Each floor specialised in a major part of assembly with raw materials on the ground floor ending up as a Fiat which exited the building via one of the two spiral access ramps at either end of the test track by way of the roof.
Of course, this was only after a few spins around the track.
The Lingotto test track became as well known as the factory and the track was even briefly featured in the Italian Job during the famous escape sequence. Today, you can take a lift from the centre up to the roof and see the iconic track for yourself – something any visitor to Piedmont should make time to do!
Of course, this was only after a few spins around the track.
The Lingotto test track became as well known as the factory and the track was even briefly featured in the Italian Job during the famous escape sequence. Today, you can take a lift from the centre up to the roof and see the iconic track for yourself – something any visitor to Piedmont should make time to do!
