RIP to a legendary automobile designer.

Marcello Gandini sadly handed away on the age of 85 final week. I can recall maybe that Gandini was the primary automobile designer I might ever identify? A childhood studying Automotive Journal – or was it merely that I as soon as managed to learn that tiny badge on the facet of a Lamborghini Countach? Definitely 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 advertisements of the time, explaining how the Citroen BX was designed by the identical particular person and perhaps Renault additionally proudly identify dropped in an analogous manner? Gandini was a real famous person designer. Maybe purely as a result of his identify was loads simpler to pronounce or spell than Giugiaro. Solely barely much less prolific, you could find 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. Probably the most stunning automobile 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 definitely makes an important story for the way Marcello arrived with a bang. His brightest and loudest bangs had been Lamborghinis in fact.

Does anybody bear in mind the response from Marcello Gandini concerning the “new” Countach particular from Lamborghini? It was October twenty second 2021… that Marcello Gandini emailed me! I can let you know now I used to be starstruck however Mr Gandini was not pleased. 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 wished the world to understand how a lot he disliked the implication from Lamborghini, that he endorsed their new Lamborghini Countach. Curiously High Gear journal had been current for the precise second the publicity upset Marcello. They managed to trace on the furore to return with Marcello zinging with quotes resembling

“I’ve at all times refused to reside up to now..”

You possibly can learn that 2021 TG interview 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 venture incorrectly was one affront – however essentially the most scathing “roast” that the maestro gave this venture 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 itself has modified loads since then, however so far as I’m involved, to repeat a mannequin of the previous, represents for my part 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 train to get $thousands and thousands from the investor market- for a barely altered (pretty low-cost to supply) Aventador? Sure.

In 2023 I used to be reminded of Gandini when information of a “restomod” Diablo was proven. This automobile 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 development, as American automobile 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 this point I used to be fortunate sufficient to personal a Gandini designed automobile, and I chewed the ear of many bored listener at events after I informed all of them about my automobile “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 slightly vital automobile which loved a manufacturing run of 23 years. That is in all probability my favorite Gandini design (apart from the Stratus Zero idea), with its immaculate industrial design steadiness of kind 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 had 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 venture in aerodynamics and engineering, with styling that was in contrast to any truck earlier than it.

Let me know within the feedback or get in contact with your individual favorite Gandini designs! I do know the Citroen BX will get lots of love lately… I recall not being an enormous fan in interval and I’d at all times refer you to the Volvo Tundra idea of 1979. I’m wondering who designed that….

That letter in full. PR contact particulars redacted.