by Gauk
Tue, Nov 1, 2016 10:23 PM

Marcello Gandini (born 26 August 1938) is an Italian car designer, known for his work with the automotive design house Gruppo Bertone, including his design of the Lamborghini Countach.

Born August 26, 1938 (age 78)
Turin, Italy
Nationality Italian
Occupation Automobile designer
Known for Lamborghini Countach

Gandini belongs to a triumvirate, along with Giorgetto Giugiaro and Leonardo Fioravanti, of noted Italian car designers, all born in 1938, within months of each other.

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." Gandini was one of twenty-five designers nominated for Car Designer of the Century.

Early life

The son of an orchestra conductor, Gandini was born in Turin.

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

Creator of Stile Bertone in Caprie, Gandini served as general manager of the styling house, designing show cars as well as managing the construction of prototype automobiles.

Gandini designed Lamborghini's Miura and Countach and many practical cars as well, including the Citroën BX, the first-generation BMW 5 series, the Innocenti Mini, and the Renault Supercinq. He introduced the concept of scissor doors with the Alfa Romeo 33 Carabo prototype, while the Lancia Stratossupercar was another Gandini design.

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

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

Designs

Gandini automobile designs include:

  • Alfa Romeo Montreal
  • Alfa Romeo 33 Carabo
  • Bugatti EB110
  • Citroën BX
  • Cizeta-Moroder V16T
  • De Tomaso Biguà (Qvale Mangusta)
  • De Tomaso Pantera SI
  • Ferrari Dino 308GT4
  • Fiat 132
  • Fiat X1/9
  • Iso Lele
  • Iso Grifo 90
  • Iso Grifo 96
  • Lamborghini Bravo
  • Lamborghini Countach
  • Lamborghini Diablo
  • Lamborghini Espada
  • Lamborghini Jarama
  • Lamborghini Miura
  • Lamborghini Urraco
  • Lamborghini Marzal
  • Lancia Stratos Zero
  • Lancia Stratos
  • Maserati Khamsin
  • Maserati Ghibli II
  • Maserati Quattroporte II (1974–1978) & IV (1994–2001)
  • Maserati Shamal
  • Maserati Chubasco
  • 1st and 2nd Maserati Biturbos facelift
  • Renault 5 Turbo
  • Renault 5 Supercinq
  • Bertone Pirana
published by Gauk