Iconic Lamborghini Designer Marcello Gandini Passes at Age 85

Mar 14, 2024 03:23 AM EDT

GRAY CAR PARKED AT A BRIDGE — (Photo : PEXELS/zhuzichun )

Marcello Gandini is renowned for his indelible influence on the car industry. At the age of 85, the visionary automotive designer responsible for many famous Italian vehicles has died. Among his many other renowned and extensive creations are the legendary Lamborghini Countach, the unique Lancia Stratos, and the cutting-edge Citroën BX.

Marcello Gandini in the World of Cars

The news of this automotive luminary's passing was featured in AutoCar, highlighting the profound impact of his contributions to the industry. He was considered by many as the most significant and influential car designer of his era, and he was born in Turin. At the esteemed Bertone design studio, where he designed the Lamborghini Miura, the Lancia Stratos, and the Ferrari 308/GT4, the only car in Maranello's collection to be designed by Bertone, his career took off in the mid-1960s.

Gandini's extraordinary career truly began when he joined the Italian company in 1965 to succeed Giotto Girgeugiaro in his position. Unfortunately, the gorgeous two-seat convertible Porsche 911 that was one of his early concepts was never produced.

Shortly thereafter, he embarked on the creation of an imposing luxury coupé based on the Jaguar S-Type, further solidifying his reputation as a pioneering force in automotive design.

According to Motor1.com, Gandini's career took a new direction as he ventured beyond Bertone, collaborating independently with automakers such as Citroën to bring forth the acclaimed BX and with Renault to craft the now-iconic 5 Turbo hatchback. His diverse portfolio also features prominent designs like the original BMW 5 Series, the striking Lamborghini Espada, and the distinctive Cizeta-Moroder V16T.

In his later years, Gandini remained dedicated to the pursuit of design, collaborating with TaTa Motors in 2017 to conceive the TaMo Racemo, a captivating sportscar concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Furthermore, he ventured into the realms of industrial and furniture design, showcasing his versatile creativity. Notably, in January, Gandini was bestowed with an honorary degree in mechanical engineering by the Polytechnic Institute of Turin.

Motor1.com also shared RaiNews report , arrangements are underway for a funeral chapel to be hosted at Gandini's Almese design studio, scheduled for Thursday from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. local time. The funeral service itself is anticipated to take place on Friday evening or Saturday, marking the solemn farewell to this revered figure in the automotive design community.

BMW 5 Series

BMW also reported about the death of Gandini. Enthusiasts of BMW hold him in high regard for his contribution to the inception of the classic 5 Series Sedan, a collaborative effort overseen by Paul Bracq.

As reported by Classic & Sports Car, the 5 Series, despite the 3 Series being BMW's core model, has been instrumental in solidifying the Munich-based company's position as a formidable competitor to Mercedes-Benz. Over the span of fifty years, it has pioneered cutting-edge features that eventually permeated into smaller models, charted a design course for other range members to follow, and established numerous standards in luxury, performance, and technology.