renowned automotive designer Marcello Gandini celebrates his 85th birthday this year. Known for his iconic designs, Gandini has left a lasting impact on the automotive industry.
Gandini’s impressive portfolio includes cars such as the Lamborghini Countach, Diablo, Espada, and Miura, as well as the Bugatti EB110, Citroen BX, Ferrari Dino 308GT4, Fiat 132, Fiat X1/9, Lancia Stratos, Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte IV, Renault 5 Supercinq, Renault Magnum, Alfa Romeo Montreal, Alfa Romeo 33 Carabo, Alfa Romeo 90, Autobianchi A112, Bertone Pirana, Cizeta-Moroder V16T, De Tomaso Bigua and Pantera, and Iso Grifo 90.
Gandini’s designs have become legendary in the automotive world, with cars like the Miura and Countach becoming symbols of his genius. Despite his fame, Gandini remains humble and has never driven the supercars he designed. However, he did have the opportunity to work on the Renault 5 and Renault Magnum, both of which bear his signature design.
In celebration of Gandini’s birthday, Italian magazine Quattroruote recalls a lesser-known project that showcases the designer’s versatility. In the early 1980s, Gandini designed a small plastic car for Renault. He assembled the car in front of the French engineers in less than an hour to demonstrate its easy assembly. Unfortunately, Renault did not pursue the project, but elements of Gandini’s design can be seen in the later release of the Renault Twingo.
Gandini’s work is characterized by simplicity, lightness, and authentic mechanical solutions. He has always had a great relationship with engineers, as they speak the same language of passion for technology. Gandini is critical of modern cars, stating that they lack the opportunity to fully utilize their unique design potential, especially in the case of electric vehicles. He stands against conformity and uniformity in design.
Gandini believes that beautiful cars are immediately recognizable and leave a lasting impression. He cites the Citroen DS, designed by Flaminio Bertoni, as an example of a car that made a deep impact on the automotive world.
Despite his reserved nature, Gandini has given a few interviews throughout his career. He once expressed his belief that the success of the Miura exceeded what it deserved. He was initially skeptical about the headlights and the precision of the details in a car produced in such high demand. However, the public’s reaction to the car at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966 was extraordinary, proving that it arrived at the right time and resonated with people’s tastes.
It is worth noting that the original design of the Miura was a collaboration between Gandini and Giorgetto Giugiaro.
In 2021, Gandini made headlines when he criticized Lamborghini’s tribute to his famous model, the Countach LPI 800-4. He stated that remakes are not for him and that they do not capture his spirit and unique vision as a designer. He believes that each model should be completely different from its predecessor.
Gandini’s contributions to automotive design have earned him the admiration of his peers. Adrian van Hooydonk, the design director of BMW Group, considers Gandini one of the greatest masters of automotive design and a source of inspiration for his own work.
In addition to his iconic designs, Gandini is also known as the inventor of the wedge-shaped profile. During his time as the chief designer at Bertone in Turin, he created some of the most daring and revolutionary cars of his time. His concepts, such as the Lancia Stratos Zero, Alfa Romeo Carabo, and Lamborghini Marzal, have become legendary.
Marcello Gandini’s influence on the automotive industry is undeniable. His designs continue to inspire and captivate car enthusiasts around the world. As he celebrates his 85th birthday, his legacy as one of the greatest automotive designers of all time is firmly cemented.Italian automotive designer Marcello Gandini celebrated his 85th birthday on August 26th. Known for his iconic designs, Gandini has left a lasting impact on the automotive industry.
Gandini’s impressive portfolio includes designing the first generation of the BMW 5 Series, the Bugatti EB110, the Citroen BX, the Ferrari Dino 308GT4, the Fiat 132 and X1/9, the Lamborghini Countach, Diablo, Espada, and Miura, the Lancia Stratos, the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte IV, the
What are some of the iconic car designs created by Marcello Gandini, and how did they revolutionize the automotive industry
Was indeed a masterpiece.
Gandini’s love for cars started at a young age, with his father being a test driver for Alfa Romeo. He attended the prestigious Scuola d’Applicazione per Ingegneri Specializzati in Turin, where he began his journey as an automotive designer.
After completing his education, Gandini joined Carrozzeria Bertone, one of the most renowned design studios in Italy. It was here that he began creating iconic designs that would shape the automotive industry.
One of his early successes came in the form of the Lamborghini Miura, a car that revolutionized the sports car segment. With its mid-engine layout and aggressive styling, the Miura became an instant success, and Gandini’s name was firmly established in the automotive world.
He continued his streak of iconic designs with the Lamborghini Countach, another groundbreaking supercar that became a symbol of the 1980s. With its sharp edges and futuristic look, the Countach pushed the boundaries of automotive design.
Gandini’s portfolio extends beyond Lamborghini, with his influence seen in cars from various brands. His designs for Renault and Citroen brought a fresh perspective to the mass market, showcasing his versatility and creativity.
Throughout his career, Gandini has remained humble and focused on his passion for design. He is not one to seek the limelight but prefers to let his work speak for itself. His dedication to creating beautiful and functional cars has earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the greatest automotive designers of all time.
As Marcello Gandini celebrates his 85th birthday, his impact on the automotive industry cannot be overstated. His designs continue to inspire and delight car enthusiasts around the world, and his legacy will forever be remembered as a true icon in automotive design.
