RIP to a legendary automotive designer.

Marcello Gandini sadly handed away on the age of 85 final week. I can recall maybe that Gandini was the primary automotive designer I may ever title? A childhood studying Automobile Journal – or was it merely that I as soon as managed to learn that tiny badge on the facet of a Lamborghini Countach? Actually the Countach sparked my childhood pleasure, after I noticed one drive by the park I used to be taking part in in. I’m additionally positive I bear in mind print adverts of the time, explaining how the Citroen BX was designed by the identical individual and possibly Renault additionally proudly title dropped in an identical approach? Gandini was a real celebrity designer. Maybe purely as a result of his title was so much simpler to pronounce or spell than Giugiaro. Solely barely much less prolific, you will discover loads of obits (or Wikipedia) itemizing his achievements. His profession famously began, and maybe continued – by clashing with Giugiaro and the 2 by no means labored collectively straight. Essentially the most lovely automotive ever designed was claimed by Gandini (Lamborghini Miura) however legend has it that Giugiaro and Gandini unintentionally collaborated on this. IT was began by one, and completed by the opposite? We are going to maybe by no means know the reality of that- however it actually makes an excellent story for the way Marcello arrived with a bang. His brightest and loudest bangs have been Lamborghinis after all.

Does anybody bear in mind the response from Marcello Gandini relating to the “new” Countach particular from Lamborghini? It was October twenty second 2021… that Marcello Gandini emailed me! I can inform you now I used to be starstruck however Mr Gandini was not completely happy. In fact it was merely his publicist that despatched me a press launch, however I felt that my life had come full circle from my single digit childhood days. He was not upset with me, it appeared he simply needed the world to know the way a lot he disliked the implication from Lamborghini, that he endorsed their new Lamborghini Countach. Apparently Prime Gear journal have been current for the precise second the publicity upset Marcello. They managed to trace on the furore to return with Marcello zinging with quotes equivalent to

“I’ve at all times refused to stay previously..”

You’ll be able to learn that 2021 TG interview right here. The letter despatched to me was a response to that second, one which TG determined to chop off on the finish of the article, and neatly explains his courtesy and politeness but additionally reveals the assumption he had in futurism, or the artwork of the design course of. Innovation ran deep in Marcello, and to be related to this undertaking incorrectly was one affront – however essentially the most scathing “roast” that the maestro gave this undertaking was one in every of condemning all retro-modernist designs. All restomods maybe? My favorite quote from his letter:

“It’s clear that markets and advertising and marketing itself has modified so much since then, however so far as I’m involved, to repeat a mannequin of the previous, represents in my view the negation of the founding ideas of my DNA“

GANDINI, Marcello. Letter to creator twenty second October 2021

On the time I agreed with my hero and nonetheless do. Look again at that 2021 Countach. Will it resonate as timelessly as the unique? No. Is it a cynical advertising and marketing train to get $thousands and thousands from the investor market- for a barely altered (pretty low cost to provide) Aventador? Sure.

In 2023 I used to be reminded of Gandini when information of a “restomod” Diablo was proven. This automotive is one other $1million collectors piece, however this time based mostly on a Lamborghini he didn’t design. The story there may be of US Chrysler possession of Lamborghini blocking the preliminary design that Gandini had proposed, with one thing of their very own which was clearly based mostly on his designs. It was smoothed out and extra trendy wanting. Extra on pattern, as American automotive design expertise was extremely tuned to market analysis and buyer suggestions at the moment. We obtained to see Marcello’s model because the Cizeta Moroder V16T.

In my life to date I used to be fortunate sufficient to personal a Gandini designed automotive, and I chewed the ear of many bored listener at events after I advised all of them about my automotive “designed by the Lamborghini man”. It was a Renault 5 (Supercinq) Campus from 1988 and I cherished it. The inside was sensible but sci-fi cool, the outside nonetheless wanting recent (however sporting battle scars) in 2002 after I owned it. Gandini designed one other Renault, and it was a reasonably important car which loved a manufacturing run of 23 years. That is most likely my favorite Gandini design (apart from the Stratus Zero idea), with its immaculate industrial design steadiness of type and performance. The 2 tone color scheme and the shape language with deep undercut and hole separating higher and decrease chassis of the 1990 Renault AE (later Magnum) truck have been masterstrokes. The design visually represented the “floating” cab, which contained a flat ground for the driving force. This was a primary and Marcello Gandini celebrated this extremely futuristic undertaking in aerodynamics and engineering, with styling that was not like any truck earlier than it.

Let me know within the feedback or get in contact with your personal favorite Gandini designs! I do know the Citroen BX will get quite a lot of love today… I recall not being an enormous fan in interval and I might at all times refer you to the Volvo Tundra idea of 1979. I ponder who designed that….

That letter in full. PR contact particulars redacted.