Marcello Gandini

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Marcello Gandini
Gandini in 1976
Born(1938-08-26)26 August 1938
Turin, Italy
Died13 March 2024(2024-03-13) (aged 85)
Rivoli, Italy
NationalityItalian
OccupationAutomobile designer
Known for

Marcello Gandini (26 August 1938 – 13 March 2024) was an Italian car designer, widely known for his work with the Italian car design house, Bertone, where his work included designing the Alfa Romeo Carabo and Montreal, Lancia Stratos Zero, Maserati Khamsin, Ferrari GT4, Fiat X1/9, and several Lamborghinis, including the Bravo, Miura, Marzal, Espada, Urraco, Diablo, and Countach.[1] Gandini himself said his design interests prioritized vehicle architecture, construction, assembly, and mechanisms — over styling.[1]

Car Design News awarded Gandini the magazine's first Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and said his stature within the industry could not be overstated."[2] Flavio Manzoni, chief design officer at Ferrari, said Gandini was "probably the greatest car designer ever".[2]

Life and career[edit]

Gandini was born in Turin on 26 August 1938 into a "family steeped in classical music".[3] His father was an orchestral conductor. Gandini, however, developed an early and intense interest in cars and mechanical engineering.[4] He was sent to a classical lyceum and studied the piano, but continued to have "a passion for engines, mechanics and technology" and left school at 18, which resulted in his being rejected by his parents.[5] In 1964, he approached Nuccio Bertone, head of the Gruppo Bertone company, who was impressed by his zeal and wanted to apprentice him to Giorgetto Giugiaro, his chief designer.[6] The following year Giorgetto left to start his own studio, and at the age of 27, Gandini was hired in his place.[7] He designed the Lamborghini Miura, from first sketch to finished prototype, in three months, and remained with the company for fourteen years.

Gandini created the 'Stile Bertone' styling house in Caprie – working both as its general manager, as well as designing concept cars, and managing the construction of prototype automobiles for many car makers that hired Bertone, and often Gandini in particular.[1]

Gandini became famous through his designs for many Lamborghini sports cars, beginning with the groundbreaking rear mid-engined Lamborghini Miura, with a transversely mounted V12, in the mid 1960s – a car often cited as one of the most beautiful sportscars ever – followed by the highly futuristic Marzal concept, the exceptionally low-built full-fledged four-seater Espada, and the spectacular Lamborghini Countach in the early 1970s.[8]

But Gandini also designed practical mass-production cars, even sub-compacts, such as the Innocenti Mini, the first generation Volkswagen Polo,[9] Gandini also styled the first-generation BMW 5 Series, and Citroën BX.[1]

The Lancia Stratos rally sportscar, featuring a seamless semi-elliptic windshield and door glass combination, is also a Gandini design.[1]

Gandini left Bertone in July 1979, pursuing freelance automotive, industrial, and interior design, and worked exclusively for Renault for the first five years resulting in the second generation Renault 5 (the 'Supercinq') and the Renault Magnum truck.[10]

Gandini worked in other areas, including home architecture, the design of a nightclub interior, and the body styling of the Heli-Sport CH-7 helicopter.[1]

In January 2024, Gandini was recognised by the Polytechnic University of Turin with an honorary degree in mechanical engineering.[11]

Gandini died on 13 March 2024, at the age of 85.[12]

Designs[edit]

Gandini car designs include:

Gallery of car designs[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Marcello Gandini – Automotive Designer". Automobile Magazine, Robert Cumberford, October 2009.
  2. ^ a b Guy Bird (14 March 2024). "In memoriam: Marcello Gandini (1938-2024)". Car Design News.
  3. ^ The Times Register, 21 March 2024
  4. ^ The Times Register, 21 March 2024
  5. ^ The Times Register, 21 March 2024
  6. ^ The Times Register, 21 March 2024
  7. ^ The Times Register, 21 March 2024
  8. ^ Banks, Nargess (14 June 2021). "Livro revela os carros preferidos dos colecionadores: Ferraris, Bugattis e Lamborghinis raros e exóticos estão na lista". Forbes Brasil. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  9. ^ Initially launched as the Audi 50, but then repositioned as Volkswagen's entry-level car, even below the Giugiaro styled, subcompact first generation VW Golf.
  10. ^ "In memory of Marcello Gandini". Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  11. ^ "In memoriam: Marcello Gandini (1938-2024)". Car Design News. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Addio a Marcello Gandini, disegnò le Lamborghini più belle". La Repubblica. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "The Stars & Cars of Bertone". Road & Track: 78. November 2014.
  14. ^ a b Finalised by Claus Luthe
  15. ^ "Archive: Classicmotor.se BMW Spicup". 5 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Fiat al Fredo". driventowrite.com. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  17. ^ The Lancia Sibilo Was Nuts Even By 1970s Concept Car Standards – Jalopnik
  18. ^ "Perodua Kancil by Marcello Gandini". carrozzieri-italiani.com. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Let's give Marc Deschamps what Marcello Gandini doesn't have". lignesauto.fr. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Stratos S81". blutecsrl.it. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
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