About us
Fifty years of passion, in Genoa
University Motors was founded in Genoa, in its current premises in Via Majorana, at the end of 1971. The great professionalism, the results and the specific «racing» preparation of its founder Mauro Ambrogi place this Genoese motoring factory among the national leaders in the preparation of competition cars.
From the early 2000s Mauro rediscovered his passion for historic cars, starting again from where he had begun — with the same instinct and the same care as ever.
From the beginnings to the top in Europe
The first Mini Cooper
The first car was a Mini Cooper — and, like all first loves, it has never been forgotten: in 2002, with a Cooper S, University Motors won the Italian Historic Car Championship (endurance) with Enrico Questa.
The encounter with Lancia
1972 marked the encounter with Lancia: Renzo Magnani, Mauro Pregliasco and Giacomo Pelganta drove the cars prepared in Genoa in rallies, a bond with the Grifone and Jolly Club teams that lasted until the late 1980s. These were the years of the fantastic Lancia Stratos, with the famous 6-into-1 exhaust and the fuel-injection engine developed in the Genoa test room.
037, Formula Abarth and Delta
The story continues with the Lancia 037s, the 131s and Formula Abarth (1981 title with a very young Emanuele Pirro), the Fiat Ritmo and Uno Totip with Tony Fassina and Alex Fiorio, up to the Lancia Delta with which Franco Cunico won the Italian title.
From the circuits to the 24 hours
Then came the move to the circuits with the Sierra Cosworth, Ferrari 355 and 430, Lotus Elise, Honda Integra, BMW M3, Alfa Romeo 147 Evo and a one-off Alfa Romeo GT in 24h configuration.
Tour Auto with the Stratos
Forty years after the debut of the first Stratos, University Motors brought the Lancia Stratos back to the top in Europe by winning the Tour Auto Optic 2013 with Erik Comas.
In the skilled hands of Mauro Ambrogi
Names that made motorsport history have entrusted their cars to the Genoese workshop.
A historic car to restore or race-prepare?
Tell us about your car and your project: we’d love to hear from you.
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