#MarioFerraguti

Mario Ferraguti was a pioneer in the use of gasogeno (producer gas) in Italy during the 1930s. He was director of the Istituto di Frutticoltura in Grottaferrata, secretary of the Comitato Permanente per il Grano at the Presidency of the Council, and a professor of agriculture at the University of Perugia. Ferraguti was also a passionate gentleman driver. He developed and refined gasogeno devices for vehicles and promoted the use of alternative fuels during a time marked by fossil fuel shortages. In 1933, Ferraguti participated in the Mille Miglia with an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport modified to run on gasogeno. Although its performance was inferior to gasoline-powered vehicles, his participation demonstrated the feasibility of using gasogeno in motorsport competitions. His work contributed significantly to promoting energy self-sufficiency in Italy, a policy strongly supported by the Fascist regime, which was motivated by the embargo imposed by Allied countries. It underscored the importance of developing local solutions to reduce dependence on imported oil. However, after the war, as traditional fuels became available again, gasogeno-powered systems, with their inherent complications and bulkiness, were quickly abandoned and largely forgotten.

We'll publish a biography on him on the occasion of his anniversary or when it will be reached a sufficient number of cars.

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