Iconic Italian car designers behind legendary brands pass on
In 2024, the automotive world lost three renowned designers who gave us iconic car models. Although all were born in Italy, they crafted their most perfect works for different brands, including Lamborghini, Mercedes, and Renault.
Bruno Sacco (1933 – 2024)
On September 19, 2024, the Italian designer Bruno Sacco, born in Udine, passed away. Although he completed his mechanical engineering studies in Milan and took his first professional steps in the legendary Italian studios of Ghia and Pininfarina, his career took off when Mercedes-Benz hired him. Initially, he did not have high hopes for his move to Germany, but he found the love of his life there and settled 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 began independently crafting cars for the German brand. His first project, over which he had complete control, was the company's first station wagon - 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 decided how all models of the German brand looked.
Bruno Sacco had a decisive influence on the appearance of iconic Mercedes models such as the E-Class series 124 with all four body variants, the S-Class series 126, including the coupé (cars produced from 1979 to 1992), the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201), and the SL series R129. The designer himself most valued the W126 line.
“The 126 model series in all design forms is the best thing I have done for Mercedes-Benz,” he said in one of the interviews.
Paolo Pininfarina (1958 - 2024)
On April 9, 2024, at the age of 65, Paolo Pininfarina, the president of the Pininfarina group, passed away in Turin. He was a descendant of the famous Italian stylist family. His grandfather, Battista, founded the company Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930. The Italian design house had a significant impact on the automotive world. Paolo took over as president of the company in 2008 after his older brother Andrea died in an accident.
Although Paolo Pininfarina had prior experience working for companies like Cadillac, General Motors, and Honda, he also engaged in designing everyday objects and worked in the fields of architecture, the maritime industry, and aviation. The diversification of income sources helped the company survive a difficult market period.
Marcello Gandini (1938 - 2024)
On March 13, 2024, in Ravioli, Italy, Marcello Gandini passed away at 85. Although the average driver may not recognize the name, it is associated with cars that achieved great success or captured the imaginations of millions. He began working at the Bertone workshop, and over 14 years, cars like the Lamborghini Miura and the concept Lancia Stratos Zero emerged from his design. The former still inspires admiration today, while the latter surprises with its bold concept reminiscent of an airplane wing's cross-section.
However, Gandini's achievements in supercars do not end there. He designed the iconic Lamborghini Countach, which became the epitome of its time with a style that boldly ventured into vulgarity. The Italian was also behind the Lamborghini Diablo design, and for Bugatti, he created the concept for the EB110 model.
The designer also worked for more popular brands. For Fiat, he created the remarkable X1/9 model, the second generation of the Renault 5, and the Citroën BX model.
