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Marcello Gandini, one of the crucial visionary automotive designers of the twentieth century, handed away on March 13, 2024. Within the yr after his loss of life, the automotive world continues to really feel the influence of his work. Gandini wasn’t only a stylist; he was an innovator who remodeled how we take into consideration vehicles, velocity, and design.
Working first beneath Nuccio Bertone and later as a freelancer, Gandini had a hand in among the most iconic autos ever constructed. He outlined the wedge-shaped supercar, helped democratize Italian design via reasonably priced sports activities vehicles, and even lent his eye to mass-market autos that hundreds of thousands of individuals drove day by day.
To honor his legacy, listed here are what we imagine are a few of his most influential and iconic automotive designs, every representing a unique aspect of his genius.
Why These Vehicles Made the Minimize
Marcello Gandini designed way over simply the vehicles we’re highlighting, however these are those that inform the total story. From the bedroom-poster icons to the rally monsters, the misunderstood Ferraris to the on a regular basis metropolis vehicles, this checklist displays the total vary of his genius. Some have been bestsellers. Others have been low-volume oddities that also managed to form the longer term.
To slender it down, we seemed on the vehicles that made a long-lasting influence on the business, on tradition, or on the hundreds of thousands of people that drove them. Every automotive right here represents a milestone: a daring threat, a breakthrough in design, or a second when Gandini redefined what a automotive might be. Whether or not they gained trophies or simply gained hearts, these autos earned their spot not simply via specs, however via significance.
Lamborghini Miura
When Lamborghini unveiled the primary Miura, the sports activities automotive sport modified endlessly. It was the primary road-going automotive with a transversely mid-mounted V12 engine; some say it’s the primary supercar.
It’s nonetheless one of the crucial lovely vehicles ever made, nevertheless it’s not simply its magnificence that makes the Miura extremely fascinating; it’s additionally uncommon. Lamborghini solely constructed 762 models from 1966 to 1973.
Lamborghini Countach
Lamborghini’s flagship Miura was adopted by one other iconic supercar — the Countach. It might not be as breathtakingly beautiful because the Miura, however the Countach actually adorned extra youngsters’s bed room partitions than its predecessor. Sadly, it was nicer to have a look at than it was to drive, and reversing was a complete chapter of its personal.
Judging by how typically it appeared in motion pictures and TV reveals, you’d suppose Lamborghini constructed a gazillion vehicles, however in actuality, fewer than 2,000 have been constructed by the point manufacturing ended.
Lamborghini Diablo
Gandini designed the unique Diablo because the successor to the Countach. Nevertheless, when Chrysler acquired Lamborghini, the design was softened internally earlier than manufacturing.
Nonetheless, Gandini’s fingerprints stay within the low-slung, angular profile, particularly within the earliest fashions. His unique, extra aggressive design would later emerge within the Cizeta-Moroder V16T.
Cizeta-Moroder V16T
Gandini was employed to design the Diablo following the Miura and the Countach. Nevertheless, Chrysler, which owned Lamborghini on the time, wasn’t glad with Gandini’s design and had its personal design staff soften it up a bit.
Gandini wasn’t too pleased about that, however his unique design did come to life as one other mid-engined supercar—the Cizeta-Moroder V16T. It was by no means a giant hit, however we expect it really appears to be like higher than the early Diablos.
Lancia Stratos
In 1973, Lancia constructed the mid-engined Stratos HF to go rallying, and it went on to win the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975, and 1976, in addition to a plethora of races.
Lancia’s vehicles have been normally designed by Pininfarina, and the Stratos was the primary time they employed Bertone and Gandini. The automotive advanced from an earlier Gandini idea, often called the Stratos Zero, and it had a 2.4-liter Ferrari V6 mounted behind the driving force.
Lamborghini Marzal
Granted, the Lamborghini Marzal by no means made it into manufacturing, nevertheless it nonetheless belongs on this checklist, as this idea automotive has stood the check of time and appears nearly as good as we speak because it did in 1968.
Later, the Marzal would encourage the Lambo Espada, as you may see from its silhouette. The Espada didn’t inherit the Marzal’s straight-six engine, although, which was actually half a Miura V12 unit.
Alfa Romeo Montreal
Gandini additionally labored with Alfa Romeo a number of instances, though he was primarily concerned with their idea vehicles. One Alfa mannequin that did make it into manufacturing was the beautiful Montreal.
Alfa Romeo unveiled the Montreal coupé as an idea on the ’67 Expo in Montreal, and the manufacturing model was first proven on the 1970 Geneva Motor Present. It featured a 2.6-liter V8 engine and rear-wheel drive, and by 1977, Alfa Romeo had produced over 3,900 Montreals.
Fiat X1/9
Whereas its construct high quality is questionable, Gandini actually hit a house run when he penned the Fiat X1/9. This little sports activities automotive from 1972 continues to be thought of one in all Fiat’s biggest hits.
Powered by a tiny 1.3-liter engine, it was by no means about going quick in a straight line. Even later fashions with the 1.5-liter unit solely supplied 84 horsepower, however because of its low weight, the X1/9 was just a little rocket ship within the corners.
Audi 50
Marcello Gandini could also be greatest recognized for his work with Italian manufacturers, however he additionally collaborated with international carmakers. The Audi 50 is one profitable instance of such a collaboration.
The entry-level Audi was the precise reverse of the Italian sports activities vehicles Gandini is legendary for. Nonetheless, it’s additionally among the many best-selling Gandini designs, because it was additionally bought because the Mk1 VW Polo.
Ferrari 308 GT4
All through its historical past, Ferrari’s vehicles have been designed primarily by Pininfarina, however Bertone and Gandini finally acquired a foot within the door with Maranello’s best, too.
Gandini didn’t simply design any Ferrari, both; he was behind the primary mid-engined 2+2 V8 mannequin, the Dino GT4. This wedge-shaped icon was in manufacturing from 1973 to the tip of 1980, a stable run for a sports activities automotive. At first, Ferrari purists didn’t just like the 308’s design, nevertheless it has aged effectively and is now very fascinating.
Lamborghini Espada
When it first emerged, the Espada was a groundbreaking GT automotive. Drawing inspiration from the Marzal, it appears to be like nearly like a spaceship. Gandini’s design additionally meant 4 adults might match contained in the Espada.
Launched in 1968, the outstanding grand tourer remained in manufacturing for a complete decade. Throughout that interval, Lamborghini constructed 1,226 Espadas, all powered by the three.9-liter V12 engine.
Maserati Khamsin
The Maserati Khamsin had the consideration of being the primary Maserati designed by Bertone/Gandini, and it was unveiled on the Turin Auto Present in 1972.
It’s one other wedge-shaped 2+2 GT automotive that includes elegant styling, a clear glass Kamm tail, and uneven hood louvers. Over the subsequent ten years, Maserati bought 435 Khamsins.
Maserati Shamal
Maserati was virtually broke by the late Eighties, and in a determined try to stay related, they employed Gandini to assist restyle the previous Biturbo coupe.
Gandini labored alongside Maserati’s personal design staff to create the Shamal. The end result was a stunning Italian automotive with very questionable construct high quality.
Lamborghini Urraco
One yr earlier than Lamborghini launched the Countach, the Italian supercar producer unveiled one other Gandini-designed sports activities automotive, the Urraco.
In contrast to the Miura and Countach, the Urraco was a 2+2 GT automotive. It was a extra reasonably priced mannequin meant to compete with the Ferrari Dino, so it didn’t have the flagship mannequin’s V12 engine both. As an alternative, the Urraco was accessible with V8 engines, starting from a 2.0-liter to a 2.5-liter unit, and a 3.0-liter was discovered within the top-spec model.
Citroën BX
Whereas greatest recognized for unique Italian vehicles, Gandini additionally designed the Citroën BX—a front-wheel-drive hatchback with hydropneumatic suspension and daring angular styling.
Over 2.3 million models have been bought, making it one in all his most commercially profitable designs. The BX demonstrated Gandini’s versatility and skill to carry innovation to the on a regular basis driver.
Innocenti Mini and Different Small Vehicles
Gandini additionally contributed to designs just like the Innocenti Mini and early iterations of the Volkswagen Polo, providing clear strains and practicality to metropolis automotive consumers.
Whereas these vehicles hardly ever make headline retrospectives, they function a reminder that Gandini’s brilliance wasn’t confined to supercars: he additionally knew the best way to make small, wise vehicles lovely and environment friendly.
Reflecting on Gandini’s Legacy
Marcello Gandini’s work continues to form the way in which we take into consideration vehicles. From boundary-pushing ideas to timeless manufacturing icons, his designs embody creativity, braveness, and readability of imaginative and prescient. Whether or not he was sketching a Lamborghini or a commuter hatchback, Gandini approached each automotive with the identical query: How can this be higher?
His affect lives on not solely within the vehicles themselves however within the numerous designers who adopted in his footsteps. The automotive world could have misplaced a grasp, however his work ensures he’ll by no means be forgotten.
