--- title: "Marcello Gandini, Legendary Lamborghini Miura and Countach Designer, Dead at 85" description: "Marcello Gandini, the influential Italian car designer who penned trailblazing cars for the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari, died Wednesday." date: "2024-03-13" modified: "2024-03-13" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/marcello-gandini-legendary-lamborghini-miura-and-countach-designer-dead-at-85" categories: - "News" tags: - "Countach" - "Lamborghini" - "Supercar" --- # Marcello Gandini, Legendary Lamborghini Miura and Countach Designer, Dead at 85 ![]() *Marcello Gandini discusses the BMW Garmisch concept with BMW Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk. \BMW\* Today is a sad day. Legendary car designer [Marcello Gandini]() has died at age 85, per reports from Italian media. In debates over the greatest at the trade, some names tend to come up more than others: Giorgetto Giugiaro, [Bruno Sacco](), and Paul Bracq are just a few. However, if you were to tell me that Gandini was number one, I don't think I'd be able to argue with you. Gandini not only penned some of the most breathtakingly beautiful cars of all time, but he shaped the industry more than once. It's difficult to choose one of his designs as his best, or most important, because there just too many contenders. In the late 1960s, Gandini envisioned the modern idea of a supercar with the [Lamborghini]() Miura. Then he completely changed the supercar game again with the [Countach](), which still looks otherworldly 52 years on from its debut. He also designed the Diablo, Lancia Stratos, Alfa Romeo Montreal, Bugatti EB110, and Ferrari 308 GT4. Gandini might be responsible for more bedroom wall posters than any other automotive designer in history. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() However, Gandini didn't only design supercars and Italian exotics. The BMW Garmisch concept, which eventually became the original 5 Series, was styled by him as well. The 5 Series isn't just a luxury sedan—it birthed a segment that's been flooded by the rest of the industry, and Gandini's design is in part to thank for that. The Audi 50, Fiat X/19, Mk1 Volkswagen Polo, and Renault 5 Turbo all also owe their distinctive shapes to the man. Any car designer would kill for just half of Gandini's body of work. It's simply smash hit after smash hit. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Gandini was born in Turin, Italy and took over as head of design for Bertone, replacing Giugiaro, at just 25 years old. It was Bertone where so many of his genius designs came to be, and he eventually left the firm in 1980. He remained a freelance designer for the rest of his professional career, but that didn't stop him from continuing to innovate, as he did with the aforementioned EB110 and Diablo. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Gandini's legacy is arguably impossible to top. Without question, he was one of the most skilled and trailblazing artists of his medium, and he'll be missed. His designs ignited a passion for cars in so many of us. Rest in peace to one of the greatest to ever do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB0OnhCoLUo *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()