Marcello Gandini

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Marcello Gandini
File:Marcello Gandini in 1976.jpg
Gandini in 1976
Born (1938-08-26)26 August 1938
Turin, Italy
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Rivoli, Italy
Nationality Italian
Occupation Automobile designer
Known for Lamborghini Countach

Marcello Gandini (26 August 1938 – 13 March 2024) was an Italian car designer, known for his work with the automotive design house Gruppo Bertone, including his designs of the Lamborghini Miura, Countach, and Diablo.[1]

In a 2009 interview with Robert Cumberford, editor at Automobile Magazine, Gandini indicated, "his design interests are focused on vehicle architecture, construction, assembly, and mechanisms – not appearance".[1]

Life and career

The son of an orchestral conductor, Gandini was born in Turin on 26 August 1938.

In 1963, he approached Nuccio Bertone, head of the Gruppo Bertone company, for work. However, Giorgetto Giugiaro, then Bertone's chief designer, opposed him being hired.[1] When Giugiaro left Bertone two years later, Gandini was hired, and worked for 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.[2]

When Gandini applied the rear mid-engined layout even to the very rakish 2 + 2-seater Lamborghini Urraco, Ferrari hired him to design a very similar car for them as the second generation Dino, the Dino 308/GT4 – later rebranded as Ferrari's first V8-engined car, it became the only Bertone (Gandini) designed Ferrari, ever taken into production.

But Gandini also designed practical mass-production cars, even sub-compacts, such as the Innocenti Mini, the first generation Volkswagen Polo,[3] Gandini also styled the first-generation BMW 5 Series, the Citroën BX, and the 2nd gen Renault 5 (the 'Supercinq').[1]

Gandini introduced the concept of scissor doors on the Alfa Romeo 33 Carabo concept, and since their adoption in his Lamborghini Countach and Diablo, they became a staple of Lamborghini's V12 top models – to the point that these became synonymous as 'Lamborghini doors'. A signature feature, seen in a number of Gandini's designs, are unusual and strikingly shaped, forward and upward slanted rear wheel openings.

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

Gandini left Bertone in 1980, pursuing freelance automotive, industrial, and interior design.[1]

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]

Gandini died on 13 March 2024, at the age of 85.[4]

Designs

Gandini car designs include:

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Gallery

References

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External links

External image
image icon Photo of Marcello Gandini (right) with Robert Cumberford, editor at Automobile Magazine

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 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.
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  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Finalised by Claus Luthe
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ The Lancia Sibilo Was Nuts Even By 1970s Concept Car Standards – Jalopnik
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