Italy's design legends: The architects behind automotive icons
In 2024, the automotive world mourned the loss of three renowned designers who gifted us with iconic car models. Although all were born in Italy, they created their most celebrated works for various brands, including Lamborghini, Mercedes, and Renault.
Bruno Sacco (1933 – 2024)
On 19 September 2024, the esteemed Italian designer Bruno Sacco, born in Udine, passed away. After completing his mechanical engineering studies in Milan and beginning his career in the legendary Italian studios of Ghia and Pininfarina, his path to fame truly began with Mercedes-Benz. Initially, he did not harbour high expectations regarding Germany, but he found the love of his life there and decided to settle permanently.
Bruno Sacco initially co-designed projects like the Mercedes 600 (W100) and the 230 SL Pagoda. Over time, he gained more autonomy within the company and started independently designing cars for the German brand. His first independent project was the company's first estate car, the W123. The Italian climbed the career ladder to become the head of Mercedes' design studio in Sindelfingen in 1975. From then until his retirement, he was responsible for the design of all models for the German brand.
Bruno Sacco significantly influenced the design of iconic Mercedes models such as the E-Class series 124, the S-Class series 126, which included a coupé (produced from 1979 to 1992), the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201), and the SL series R129. He particularly valued the W126 line.
"The series 126 models, in all their design forms, are the best thing I did for Mercedes-Benz," he mentioned in one of his interviews.
Paolo Pininfarina (1958 - 2024)
On 9 April 2024, at 65, Paolo Pininfarina, the president of the Pininfarina group, passed away in Turin. He came from a famous Italian design family. His grandfather, Battista, founded the company Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930, which greatly influenced the automotive world. Paolo assumed the presidency of the company in 2008, following the tragic passing of his older brother Andrea.
Although Paolo Pininfarina had previously worked with companies like Cadillac, General Motors, and Honda, he also expanded into designing everyday objects and ventured into architecture, the maritime industry, and aviation. This diversification of income sources was crucial in helping the company navigate challenging market periods.
Marcello Gandini (1938 - 2024)
On 13 March 2024, in Tavullia, Italy, Marcello Gandini passed away at the age of 85. While the average driver may not immediately recognise the name, it is associated with cars that achieved great success or captured the imaginations of millions. He began his career at the Bertone workshop, and cars such as the Lamborghini Miura and the concept Lancia Stratos Zero emerged from his creativity over 14 years. The former still inspires admiration, while the latter astonishes with its bold design reminiscent of an aeroplane wing's cross-section.
However, Gandini's contributions to supercars do not end there. He designed the iconic Lamborghini Countach, known as the epitome of its era, with a style verging on extravagance. Gandini was also the mind behind the design of the Lamborghini Diablo and created the concept for Bugatti's EB110 model.
The designer also worked with more popular brands. For Fiat, he designed the remarkable X1/9 model, the second-generation Renault 5, and the Citroën BX model.
