Supercar Pioneer Marcello Gandini Passes Away at 85: An Iconic Design Legacy Remembered

Designing Masterpieces: The Man Behind the Miura and Countach Cars

The automotive industry was greeted with heartbreaking news today as it learned of the passing of Marcello Gandini. It is without a doubt that he will be remembered as one of the greatest designers in history. Gandini, who was 85 years old, tragically passed away on Wednesday. However, no information regarding the circumstances surrounding his death has been given at this time.

Throughout his extensive and illustrious career, Gandini’s creations have captured the hearts of a diverse range of individuals. From corporate executives to adrenaline-loving enthusiasts of sports and luxury cars, his designs have also appealed to budget-minded heads of households. Unlike other designers, Gandini does not adhere to one particular vehicle type or style, showcasing his genius through an array of designs. In fact, some of his most renowned works are starkly dissimilar in appearance.

At the young age of 25, Gandini joined Bertone and assumed the role of design leader, succeeding Giorgetto Giugiaro. It was evident that there was an exceptional quality within him, which he demonstrated consistently throughout his professional journey.

Celebrated as the first of its kind (and deemed a timeless beauty), designer Marcello Gandini created the remarkable Lamborghini Miura and later, in a matter of a few years, redefined the visual standards of mid-engine supercars with his exceptional creation: the legendary Countach. His artistic touch can also be seen in the Diablo and various other Lamborghini models, as well as the iconic Lancia Stratos and the beloved Fiat X/19. One lesser-known fact is that he also designed a Ferrari, the Dino 308 GT4.

Among the notable features on display are the De Tomaso Pantera SI, the Alfa Romeo 33 Carabo prototype, and the Cizeta V16T, an extravagant car equipped with a revolutionary 16-cylinder engine similar to what Bugatti plans to implement. As for the French manufacturer, it’s worth mentioning that Gandini was responsible for designing the EB110.

Gandini had a personal preference for driving functional vehicles, and he was also the mastermind behind several of them. One notable example is the 1970 Garmisch prototype, which was later perfected into the iconic E12 BMW 5 Series, setting off a series of Italian-inspired Bimmers. Although the sharknose design has become synonymous with BMW, Gandini also designed some breathtaking entry-level cars that should not be overlooked.

Similar to Giugiaro, whose designing of the Volkswagen Scirocco served as inspiration for the Hyundai Pony and the Isuzu Impulse, Gandini also crafted three cars using a single fundamental blueprint: the Autobianchi A12, Audi 50, and Volkswagen Polo. In addition to these, he created some practical vehicles such as the Citroen BX Hatchback and the iconic Renault 5 Turbo. Additionally, there were two Maserati Quattroporte models born from Gandini’s artistic vision.