Rest in peace Claudio Zampolli, Sammy Hagar’s Ferrari mechanic

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Jul 10, 2021 | Ferrari, Claudio Zampolli, Cizeta

Photograph Courtesy Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar's iconic "I Can't Drive 55" video had three stars: the Red Rocker himself, that black 1984 Ferrari 512 BB, and Claudio Zampolli, Hagar's actual mechanic. 


Zampolli passed away on July 7. He was 82 years old. 

Zampolli also served as the link between Hagar and Van Halen. “He's the guy that gave Eddie Van Halen my phone number where Eddie called me from his shop,” Hagar posted on his site. “two days later I was in Van Halen.” 

He was the whole band's mechanic and took care of all of our cars. He also made his own car the ultra exotic Cizeta.” 

 

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Comments
Woody (Forum Supportum)
Woody (Forum Supportum) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/9/21 9:12 a.m.

I think he was also responsible for introducing Sammy Hagar to Eddie Van Halen. 
 

So there's that, too. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/9/21 10:17 a.m.

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

Sammy shares that story in the video embedded in the news item. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/9/21 10:29 a.m.

Also, I haven't seen the I Can't Drive 55 video in a million years. A few observations:

No seat belt, Sammy?

The Ferrari is missing its wiper arm, isn't it?

Did the judge hang Han Solo? 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/10/21 7:30 a.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Oddly, they actually played that song on the classic rock station yesterday, for the first time in forever.

I LOVED that song/video as a little kid, to the point that for Christmas I got my first record album - Sammy Hagar's VOA.

 

Now, I see it and see how cheesy it was, and also how Sammy seems to treat Claudio like a dick, and Claudio to his credit seems like a cross between someone painedly trying to explain technical things to someone who clearly doesn't give a crap, and someone just making up bullE36 M3 to someone who wouldn't know any better anyway smiley

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