Rare armchair by Gio Ponti and Giulio Minoletti for the first class of the Settebello train, 1950s. Commonly known as Settebello, according to the name coined by the workers who built it, the seven-wagon Elettrotreno Rapido 300 (ETR 300) railcar was in operation at the Italian State Railways from 1952 to 1992. A truly unique vehicle, produced only in three examples from the Ernesto Breda company of Sesto San Giovanni (MI) with the idea of equipping the state railway fleet with a product that combined new technology and futuristic design. With a power of 2600 kW, more than double that of its predecessor ETR 200, the ETR 300 could easily reach 200 km/h, covering the entire Milan-Rome route in just 5 hours and 45 minutes, at an average of over 110 km/h, when the Rome-Florence direct route did not yet exist. The project, characterized by air-naval silhouettes on the outside, was signed by Gio Ponti, Giulio Minoletti and other famous architects and designers of the time, and included innovative glass walls, panoramic windows, lounges with movable armchairs, lounge restaurant and large bar, checked baggage service. Perhaps the most distinctive element were the two rounded end carriages which were designed with raised driving cabins to leave room below for comfortable viewing lounges for the 11 first class seats.
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SILVER Seller in Torino, Italia
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