Celebrating Marcello Gandini, the Visionary Behind Iconic Supercars
Explore the legacy of Marcello Gandini, the creative genius shaping the world of high-performance supercars. His groundbreaking designs, like the iconic Lamborghini Countach, continue to inspire modern automotive masterpieces with their distinctive features and futuristic allure.
Almost every powerful supercar today reflects the genius of auto designer Marcello Gandini. His iconic Lamborghini Countach design, with its sharp lines, low stance, and upward-swinging doors, continues to inspire the automotive industry.
The Lamborghini LP500, a first prototype for the Countach sports car, designed by by Marcello Gandini of Gruppo Bertone, circa 1972.
Marcello Gandini.
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The Countach and its predecessor, the Lamborghini Miura, are often considered the first modern supercars, setting the standard for a vehicle category known for top-notch performance and cutting-edge design. Both cars were designed by Gandini, who would be remembered solely for his work on these iconic models.
In addition to his contributions to Lamborghini, Gandini also created vehicles for other automakers like BMW, Fiat, and Ferrari. His portfolio includes rally racing cars, economy hatchbacks (such as the original Volkswagen Polo and the Renault Supercinq, a successor to the Renault 5), concept cars, and even a helicopter.
He passed away on Wednesday at 85 in Turin, Italy, the city of his birth and where he spent most of his career at the Gruppo Bertone design studio and later at his own firm, creating his iconic auto designs.
His notable work includes creating supercars.
Gandini’s Countach was created to succeed the curved and elegant Miura. The Miura was known for its beauty and classic design, while the Countach, revealed at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, had a more angular and sharp-edged appearance, resembling shattered crystal.
Marcello Gandini's drawings on display during the exhibition dedicated to his work at the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile in Turin in 2019.
The Lamborghini LP500, a first prototype for the Countach sports car, designed by by Marcello Gandini of Gruppo Bertone, circa 1972.
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During a 2019 interview with CNN at Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile, Italy’s National Automobile Museum in Turin, Gandini praised the Countach, stating that nothing better has been done since.
Before the iconic Countach, there was the Lancia Stratos HF Zero in 1970. This sportscar is so futuristic that it's hard to believe it's a drivable vehicle. Instead of traditional doors, you enter the cabin through an upward swinging windshield. To see behind you while driving, a temporary rearview mirror attaches to the nearly horizontal windshield. (In the earliest Countach models, rear visibility was achieved through a periscope built into the roof.)
Gandini’s passion for cars began with a focus on machinery rather than aesthetics. At the age of five, his father gifted him a Meccano set, a metal building toy called Erector Set in the US. This toy allowed children to construct vehicles, aircraft, and various machines using thin metal sheets and bars connected by small nuts and bolts.
At 18, Gandini started working as a mechanic. One day, a rich friend who owned a Fiat OSCA 1500S asked him to fix the engine. Gandini not only fixed the engine but also decided to change the car's body, which marked the beginning of his career in automotive design.
"I have always been fascinated by things in motion," Gandini explained. "Static objects never really caught my attention."
Marcello Gandini's drawings on display during the exhibition dedicated to his work at the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile in Turin in 2019.
Stefano Guidi/LightRocket/Getty Images
In 1965, he joined the Turin-based auto design firm Gruppo Bertone. He replaced the famous and highly influential Giorgetto Giugiaro. Gandini’s first project was a body that went over a Porsche 911’s chassis and engine. This design was exhibited at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. In 2018, the car was sold at a Gooding & Co. auction in Pebble Beach, California for $1.4 million.
Bertone paid tribute to Gandini on its official Instagram page, calling him a visionary designer who reshaped the aesthetic standards of sports and luxury cars, inspiring designers and enthusiasts for generations.
Gandini always began his designs with a clear purpose in mind, ensuring that each car met a specific need.
Prototypes, or concept cars, were his favorites, Gandini said. They allowed him to design completely new automotive shapes. He enjoyed the chance to begin with a fresh start. And, in these instances, the goal was straightforward.
"When it comes to a prototype," he explained to CNN in 2019, "The key thing is to evoke a feeling. As much of a feeling as you can."
Editor's P/S:
Marcello Gandini's legacy as an automotive design icon is undeniable. His creations, particularly the Lamborghini Countach and Miura, epitomize the essence of supercars. Gandini's sharp lines, low stances, and innovative features have influenced countless auto designers and enthusiasts. His passion for mechanics and motion propelled him from a young age, leading to his groundbreaking work at Gruppo Bertone and beyond.
Gandini's design philosophy emphasized purpose and emotion. He strived to create vehicles that fulfilled specific needs while evoking strong feelings. His prototypes allowed him to explore uncharted territories in automotive design. Gandini's designs have not only shaped the aesthetic of supercars but have also inspired a new generation of designers to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in the automotive industry. His work remains a testament to his exceptional talent and enduring impact on automotive design. for the automotive community, but his iconic creations will continue to captivate and inspire for years to come.
