In the
following months his true and real professional training began.
Mast’Rocc was a real automotive genius, and moreover a
passionate teacher . In a short time Carlo learned to remove
cylinder heads, grind/polish the valves, change clutch discs,
replace brakes. In his spare time he would listen to his
teacher’s theoretical lessons, who would take a pencil and draw
the diagram of diesel motors and the secret of injection pumps
and horsepower. He learned to use the lathe with which he would
make gear heads and other precision pieces.
The customers were not only from Venosa, but they arrived from
all the nearby towns. Besides the Ansaldo trucks and Lancia (RO
e RO/RO series) trucks, the Alfa Romeo 430 trucks, they repaired
other cars: old Balilla’s, Fiat 1100’s, Fiat 1400’s, Lancia
Aprilia’s and Lancia Aurelia’s, as well as the first Alfa Romeo
1900.
All the time Carlo was excited to test himself on new cars and
new duties, but Mast’ Rocc restrained his impatience. “Do only
what you know – he was always repeating – Never improvise work
without first knowing the vehicle. With customers you must be
sincere and honest, always.”
Carlo never forgot any of his teacher’s lessons, and they became
the principles he lived by in his work, as well as his life.
Just 18 years-old, the young mechanic got his driver’s license.
He was growing up, and like a puppy becoming an adult, he was
eager to face life. And soon, very soon, life would offer him an
unexpected opportunity and he would be put to the test.