Giovanni Michelotti
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Giovanni Michelotti (6 October 1921 – 23 January 1980) was one of the most prolific
designers A designer is a person who plans the form or structure of something before it is made, by preparing drawings or plans. In practice, anyone who creates tangible or intangible objects, products, processes, laws, games, graphics, services, or exp ...
of
sports car A sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s and are currently produced by ...
s in the 20th century. His notable contributions were for Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati and
Triumph The Roman triumph (Latin triumphus) was a celebration for a victorious military commander in ancient Rome. For later imitations, in life or in art, see Trionfo. Numerous later uses of the term, up to the present, are derived directly or indirectl ...
marques. He was also associated with truck designs for
Leyland Motors Leyland Motors Limited (later known as the Leyland Motor Corporation) was a British vehicle manufacturer of lorries, buses and trolleybuses. The company diversified into car manufacturing with its acquisitions of Triumph and Rover in 1960 and ...
, and with designs for
British Leyland British Leyland was an automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in the United Kingdom in 1968 as British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd (BLMC), following the merger of Leyland Motors and British Motor Holdings. It was partl ...
(including the
Leyland National The Leyland National is an integrally-constructed United Kingdom, British high-floor, step-floor single-decker bus manufactured in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industri ...
bus) after the merger of Leyland and BMC. Born in
Turin Turin ( , Piedmontese: ; it, Torino ) is a city and an important business and cultural centre in Northern Italy. It is the capital city of Piedmont and of the Metropolitan City of Turin, and was the first Italian capital from 1861 to 1865. The ...
, Italy, Michelotti worked for coachbuilders, including Stabilimenti Farina,
Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Allemano,
Bertone Bertone is an Italian surname meaning "descendant of Roberto". Notable people with the surname include: * Alicia Bertone, American academic, researcher, and veterinary surgeon * Catherine Bertone (born 1972), Turkish-born female Italian marathon ...
,
Ghia Carrozzeria Ghia SpA (established 1916 in Turin) is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilder, coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Mar ...
,
Ghia-Aigle Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Aigle (established 1948 in Aigle, Switzerland, closed 1988) was a Swiss automobile design and manufacturing company, commonly referred to as Ghia-Aigle. Established by P. P. Filippi of Torino, the company originally op ...
, Scioneri, Monterosa,
Viotti Giovanni Battista Viotti (12 May 1755 – 3 March 1824) was an Italian violinist whose virtuosity was famed and whose work as a composer featured a prominent violin and an appealing lyrical tunefulness. He was also a director of French and Italia ...
,
Fissore Fissore is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: People * Matías Fissore (born 1990), Argentine footballer *Riccardo Fissore (born 1980), Italian footballer Companies *Carrozzeria Fissore Carrozzeria Fissore was an Italian coach ...
and
OSI OSI may refer to: Places * Osijek Airport (IATA code: OSI), an airport in Croatia * Ősi, a village in Veszprém county, Hungary * Oši, an archaeological site in Semigallia, Latvia * Osi, a village in Ido-Osi, Ekiti State, Nigeria * Osi, Ekiti ...
, before opening his own design studio in 1959. He also cooperated with manufacturers producing their own cars based on Fiat or other mechanicals, like
Siata Siata (''Società Italiana Auto Trasformazioni Accessori'' in English ''Italian Car Transformation Accessories Company'') was an Italian car tuning shop and manufacturer founded in 1926 by amateur race car driver Giorgio Ambrosini. Siata initiall ...
, Moretti,
Francis Lombardi The Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi was founded in 1947 in Vercelli, Italy, by noted pilot Carlo "Francis" Lombardi. They originally engaged in some aeronautical design, but this soon ended. Their most famous car was the Lombardi Grand Prix, which w ...
and Nardi. From 1962, Michelotti concluded cooperation with Carrozzeria Vignale and began his own coachbuilding activities. Towards the end of his life, asked whether he had ever designed anything other than cars, Michelotti acknowledged that virtually all of his design work had involved cars, but he admitted to having designed a coffee making machine shortly after the
war War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
.


Alfa Romeo

* Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupè and Cabriolet for Stabilimenti Farina * Alfa Romeo 1900 ''La Fleche'' Spider and Coupé for Vignale; Coupè and Spider for
Ghia Carrozzeria Ghia SpA (established 1916 in Turin) is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilder, coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Mar ...
; ''Lugano'' Coupé and Spider for
Ghia-Aigle Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Aigle (established 1948 in Aigle, Switzerland, closed 1988) was a Swiss automobile design and manufacturing company, commonly referred to as Ghia-Aigle. Established by P. P. Filippi of Torino, the company originally op ...
*
Alfa Romeo 2000 The Alfa Romeo 2000 (officially known as ''Tipo 102'', Italian for ''Type 102'') is a luxury car produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1958 and 1962, as a successor to the 1900 Super. It was replaced in 1962 by the Alfa Romeo ...
Vignale Coupé, Ghia-Aigle Coupé and Cabriolet *
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Alfa Romeo Giulietta is the name of three different automobiles made by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo: * The first Giulietta (Type 750 and 101) was a rear-wheel drive car made from 1954 to 1965, in 4-door saloon/sedan, coupé, spider and e ...
Sprint Veloce Michelotti ''Goccia'', 1961 *
Alfa Romeo 2600 The Alfa Romeo 2600 (Tipo 106) was Alfa Romeo´s six-cylinder flagship produced from 1962 to 1968. It was the successor to the Alfa Romeo 2000. It has become historically significant as the last Alfa Romeo to have been fitted with an inline six- ...
Berlina De Luxe for
OSI OSI may refer to: Places * Osijek Airport (IATA code: OSI), an airport in Croatia * Ősi, a village in Veszprém county, Hungary * Oši, an archaeological site in Semigallia, Latvia * Osi, a village in Ido-Osi, Ekiti State, Nigeria * Osi, Ekiti ...
62° Coppa Intereuropa - Autodromo Nazionale Monza - 21-06-2015 (19204364616).jpg, 1947 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet Alfa 1900 CSS.jpg, 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Ghia-Aigle Cabriolet


Lancia

*
Lancia Astura The Lancia Astura is a passenger car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Lancia between 1931 and 1939. Lancia replaced the Lambda model with two models: the four-cylinder Artena and the larger, V8-powered Astura. Both of these models were ...
Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet, 1947 *
Lancia Aprilia The Lancia Aprilia (1937–1949) is a family car manufactured by Lancia, one of the first designed using wind tunnel in collaboration with Battista Farina and Politecnico di Torino, achieving a record low drag coefficient of 0.47. The ''berlinetta ...
Berlina Gran Lusso and Cabriolet for Stabilimenti Farina, 1947; Coupé for Vignale, 1949 * Lancia Aurelia B50 Vignale Coupé; B52 Vignale Coupé, Bertone Coupé, Balbo Coupé 2+2; B53 Allemano Coupé * Lancia Aurelia Nardi Blue Ray 1 and 2, for
Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Enrico Nardi *
Lancia Appia Lancia () is an Italian car manufacturer and a subsidiary of FCA Italy S.p.A., which is currently a Stellantis division. The present legal entity of Lancia was formed in January 2007 when its corporate parent reorganised its businesses, but its ...
Allemano Coupé; Cabriolet, 1957; Lusso Coupé, prototype and series production cars for Vignale *
Lancia Flavia The Lancia Flavia (Tipo 815/819/820) is an executive car produced by Lancia in Italy from 1961 to 1971. Production continued as the Lancia 2000 from 1971 to 1975. The Flavia was launched with a 1,500 cc engine at the 1960 Turin Motor Sho ...
Vignale Cabriolet, would become the last Michelotti design for Vignale. * Lancia Mizar concept, 1974, based on Beta 1952_Lancia_Aurelia_B52_-_Flickr_-_exfordy.jpg, Lancia Aurelia B52 Lancia 1955 Aurelia Nardi Blue Ray 1.jpg, Aurelia-based Nardi Blue Ray 1 Lancia Appia Convertibile Vignale at Schaffen-Diest 2018 01.jpg,
Lancia Appia Lancia () is an Italian car manufacturer and a subsidiary of FCA Italy S.p.A., which is currently a Stellantis division. The present legal entity of Lancia was formed in January 2007 when its corporate parent reorganised its businesses, but its ...
Cabriolet 1965 Lancia Flavia Cabriolet Vignale Milleotto fvr.jpg,
Lancia Flavia The Lancia Flavia (Tipo 815/819/820) is an executive car produced by Lancia in Italy from 1961 to 1971. Production continued as the Lancia 2000 from 1971 to 1975. The Flavia was launched with a 1,500 cc engine at the 1960 Turin Motor Sho ...
Vignale Cabriolet


Ferrari

* Ferrari 166 MM Coupé and Spider for Vignale *
Ferrari 166 Inter The Ferrari 166 Inter was Ferrari's first true grand tourer. An evolution of the 125 S and 166 S racing cars, it was a sports car for the street with coachbuilt bodies. The Inter name commemorated the victories claimed in 166 S models by Scude ...
Coupé and Cabriolet for Stabilimenti Farina; Coupé for Ghia; Coupé for Vignale *
Ferrari 212 Export :''See also the 212 Inter grand tourer'' The Ferrari 212 Export was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1951–1952. The 212 Exports won Tour de France automobile, Giro di Sicilia, Coppa della Toscana, 10 Hours of Messina and other motor ...
Barchetta, Spider, Cabriolet and Coupé for Vignale *
Ferrari 212 Inter :''See also the 212 Export sports racer'' The Ferrari 212 Inter replaced Ferrari's successful 166 and 195 Inter grand tourers in 1951. Unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show that year, the 212 was an evolution of the 166 — a sports car for th ...
Coupé, Spider and Cabriolet for Ghia; Coupé, Spider and Cabriolet for Vignale; Coupé for Ghia-Aigle *
Ferrari 225 S The Ferrari 225 S was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1952. It was an evolution over the preceding Ferrari 212 Export with important engine upgrades that greatly improved power output. The model was extensively used in competition, win ...
Coupé and Spider for Vignale *
Ferrari 250 S The Ferrari 250 S was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1952. It was the first in the long lineage of Ferrari 250 road and race cars powered by a ubiquitous 3.0-litre ''Colombo'' V12 engine. In 1952 the 250 S won the Mille Miglia and 12 ...
Coupé for Vignale *
Ferrari 250 MM The Ferrari 250 MM was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1953. After the initial racing successes of the 3.0-litre ''Colombo'' V12 engine, introduced in the 250 S one-off, Ferrari produced a serial racing model. It is best recognisable ...
Coupé and Spider for Vignale *
Ferrari 250 The Ferrari 250 is a series of sports cars and grand tourers built by Ferrari from 1952 to 1964. The company's most successful early line, the 250 series includes many variants designed for road use or sports car racing. 250 series cars are chara ...
Europa Coupé and Spider for Vignale * Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé for Vignale *
Ferrari 340 America Ferrari America is a series of top-end Ferrari models built in the 1950s and 1960s. They were large grand touring cars with the largest V12 engines and often had custom bodywork. All America models used a live axle in the rear, were front-eng ...
Coupé and 2+2 Coupé for Ghia; Coupé and Spider for Vignale * Ferrari 340 Mexico Coupé and Spider for Vignale *
Ferrari 340 MM :''See also the 340 F1, a Formula One racer, and 340 America, a GT car'' The Ferrari 340 Mexico was a Ferrari sports racing car which was intended for the 1952 Carrera Panamericana. It used 4.1 L '' Lampredi'' V12 engine producing around at 6 ...
Spider for Vignale (one later uprated to 375 MM spec) * Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet for Vignale * Ferrari 625 TF Coupé and Spider for Vignale *
Ferrari 375 MM :''See Ferrari 375 F1 for the 375 used in Formula 1 racing, and 375 America, a GT car'' The Ferrari 375 MM, was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1953 up to 1955 for the road cars. It was named "375" for the unitary displacement of one ...
Coupé for Ghia *
Ferrari 375 America Ferrari America is a series of top-end Ferrari models built in the 1950s and 1960s. They were large grand touring cars with the largest V12 engines and often had custom bodywork. All America models used a live axle in the rear, were front-eng ...
Coupé for Vignale *
Ferrari 330 The Ferrari 330 was a series of V12 powered automobiles produced by Ferrari in 2+2 GT Coupé, two-seat Berlinetta, spyder, and race car versions between 1963 and 1968. The name "330" refers to the approximate displacement of each single cylinder ...
GT Michelotti Coupé * Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale (1968 re-body of an existing 1963 250 P, converted to 275 P and 330 P specification, commissioned by Luigi "Coco" Chinetti Jr. and Robert Peak) *
Ferrari 365 GTC/4 The Ferrari 365 GTC/4 (Type F101) is a 2+2 grand tourer produced by Ferrari from 1971 to 1972. It was based on the chassis of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona". In the very short two-year production run 505 examples of the GTC/4 were produced. Its c ...
Beach Car for Felber, 1976 * Ferrari 400i Meera S, 1983 *
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 The Ferrari Daytona, officially designated the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, is a two-seat grand tourer by Ferrari from 1968 to 1973. It was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968 to replace the 275 GTB/4, and featured the 275's Colombo V12 bored ...
Michelotti N.A.R.T. Spider (re-body of an existing Ferrari 365 GTB/4 commissioned by
Luigi Chinetti Luigi Chinetti (July 17, 1901 – August 17, 1994) was an Italian-born racecar driver, who emigrated to the United States during World War II. He drove in 12 consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans races, taking three outright wins there and taking two m ...
, 4 built for road use) *
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 The Ferrari Daytona, officially designated the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, is a two-seat grand tourer by Ferrari from 1968 to 1973. It was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968 to replace the 275 GTB/4, and featured the 275's Colombo V12 bored ...
Michelotti N.A.R.T. Spider Competizione (re-body of an existing Ferrari 365 GTB/4 commissioned by Luigi Chinetti, 1 built for N.A.R.T.'s entry in the
1975 24 hours of Le Mans The 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 43rd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 14 and 15 June 1975. Colloquially called the “Le Mans Economy Run”,Spurring 2011, p.171Clausager 1982, p.167-9Clarke 1997, p.10: Motorsport July 1975 stringen ...
) 1952 Ferrari 212 Vignale Coupe.JPG,
Ferrari 212 Inter :''See also the 212 Export sports racer'' The Ferrari 212 Inter replaced Ferrari's successful 166 and 195 Inter grand tourers in 1951. Unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show that year, the 212 was an evolution of the 166 — a sports car for th ...
Vignale Coupé Paris - Retromobile 2014 - Ferrari 225 S Berlinetta - 1952 - 001.jpg,
Ferrari 225 S The Ferrari 225 S was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1952. It was an evolution over the preceding Ferrari 212 Export with important engine upgrades that greatly improved power output. The model was extensively used in competition, win ...
Vignale Berlinetta Ferrari 340MM Vignale Spyder.jpg,
Ferrari 340 MM :''See also the 340 F1, a Formula One racer, and 340 America, a GT car'' The Ferrari 340 Mexico was a Ferrari sports racing car which was intended for the 1952 Carrera Panamericana. It used 4.1 L '' Lampredi'' V12 engine producing around at 6 ...
Vignale Spyder Ferrari 375 Vignale 1.jpg,
Ferrari 375 America Ferrari America is a series of top-end Ferrari models built in the 1950s and 1960s. They were large grand touring cars with the largest V12 engines and often had custom bodywork. All America models used a live axle in the rear, were front-eng ...
Vignale Coupé Ferrari 330 GT by Michelotti.jpg,
Ferrari 330 The Ferrari 330 was a series of V12 powered automobiles produced by Ferrari in 2+2 GT Coupé, two-seat Berlinetta, spyder, and race car versions between 1963 and 1968. The name "330" refers to the approximate displacement of each single cylinder ...
GT Michelotti Rear View of 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB4 NART Spider by Michelotti.jpg, 1972
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 The Ferrari Daytona, officially designated the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, is a two-seat grand tourer by Ferrari from 1968 to 1973. It was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968 to replace the 275 GTB/4, and featured the 275's Colombo V12 bored ...
NART Spider Competizione, bodied by Michelotti


Maserati

* Maserati A6G 2000
Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Maserati A6G/54 2000 Allemano Coupé. *
Maserati A6GCS Maserati A6 were a series of grand tourers, racing sports cars and single seaters made by Maserati of Italy between 1947 and 1956. They were named for Alfieri Maserati (one of the Maserati brothers, founders of Maserati) and for their straight-si ...
/53 Vignale Spider Corsa, commissioned by Tony Parravano and rebodied by Scaglietti in 1955. *
Maserati 3500 GT The Maserati 3500 GT (''Tipo 101'') and the Maserati 3500 GT Spyder (''Tipo 101/C'') are 2-door coupé and convertible grand tourers made by Italian car manufacturer Maserati between 1957 and 1964. It was a seminal vehicle for Maserati as the comp ...
Allemano Coupé, 2 units; Spyder, prototypes and series production cars for Vignale. *
Maserati 5000 GT The Maserati 5000 GT is a 2-door coupé car, made by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati from 1959–1966. A total of thirty-four were produced with bodies made by eight different Italian coach builders. The first car in the ''Tipo 103'' ...
Coupé for Allemano; One-off Coupé realised by Carrozzeria Michelotti, commissioned by
Briggs Cunningham Briggs Swift Cunningham II (January 19, 1907 – July 2, 2003) was an American entrepreneur and sportsman. He is best known for skippering the yacht ''Columbia'' to victory in the 1958 America's Cup race, and for his efforts as a driver, team o ...
. *
Maserati Sebring The Maserati Sebring was a two-door 2+2 coupé manufactured by Maserati from 1962 until 1968. Based on the Maserati 3500, the Sebring was aimed at the American Gran Turismo market and named after Maserati's 1957 racing victory at the 12 Hou ...
1962, prototype and series production cars for Vignale. 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Allemano Coupe - fvl1.jpg, Maserati A6G/54 2000 Allemano Coupé 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Spider fl.jpg,
Maserati 3500 GT The Maserati 3500 GT (''Tipo 101'') and the Maserati 3500 GT Spyder (''Tipo 101/C'') are 2-door coupé and convertible grand tourers made by Italian car manufacturer Maserati between 1957 and 1964. It was a seminal vehicle for Maserati as the comp ...
Spyder prototype 1962 Maserati 5000 GT Allemano - fvl.jpg,
Maserati 5000 GT The Maserati 5000 GT is a 2-door coupé car, made by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati from 1959–1966. A total of thirty-four were produced with bodies made by eight different Italian coach builders. The first car in the ''Tipo 103'' ...
Allemano Coupé, 22 made in total Paris - Bonhams 2016 - Maserati Sebring 3.7 litre série II coupé - 1967 - 001.jpg,
Maserati Sebring The Maserati Sebring was a two-door 2+2 coupé manufactured by Maserati from 1962 until 1968. Based on the Maserati 3500, the Sebring was aimed at the American Gran Turismo market and named after Maserati's 1957 racing victory at the 12 Hou ...
series II


Standard Triumph

From the late 1950s Michelotti was responsible for all new models produced by the British company
Standard Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...
Triumph The Roman triumph (Latin triumphus) was a celebration for a victorious military commander in ancient Rome. For later imitations, in life or in art, see Trionfo. Numerous later uses of the term, up to the present, are derived directly or indirectl ...
, starting with a facelift of the
Standard Vanguard The Standard Vanguard is a car which was produced by the Standard Motor Company in Coventry, England, from 1947 until 1963. The car was announced in July 1947, was completely new, with no resemblance to the previous models, and, designed in 19 ...
and going on to design other models for
Triumph The Roman triumph (Latin triumphus) was a celebration for a victorious military commander in ancient Rome. For later imitations, in life or in art, see Trionfo. Numerous later uses of the term, up to the present, are derived directly or indirectl ...
such as: *
Triumph Herald The Triumph Herald is a small two-door car introduced by Standard-Triumph of Coventry in 1959 and made through to 1971. The body design was by the Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti, and the car was offered in saloon, convertible, coupé, est ...
*
Triumph Spitfire The Triumph Spitfire is a British sports car and manufactured over five production iterations between 1962-1980. Styled for Standard- Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, the Spitfire was introduced at the London Motor Show ...
*
Triumph GT6 The Triumph GT6 is a 6-cylinder sports coupé built by Standard-Triumph, based on their popular Triumph Spitfire convertible. Production ran from 1966 to 1973. Development history In early 1963 Giovanni Michelotti was commissioned by Standard ...
*
Triumph TR4 The Triumph TR4 is a sports car produced by the Triumph Motor Company from 1961 to 1965. As the successor to the TR3A, the car was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the previous TR sports cars, but with a modern body designed by Michelot ...
*
Triumph 2000 The Triumph 2000 is a mid-sized, rear wheel drive automobile which was produced in Coventry by the Triumph Motor Company between 1963 and 1977. It was introduced on 15 October 1963. It was styled by Giovanni Michelotti. It competed with the c ...
*
Triumph 1300 The Triumph 1300 is a medium/small 4-door saloon car that was made between 1965 and 1970 by Standard Triumph in Coventry, England, under the control of Leyland Motors. It was introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1965 and intended as a ...
*
Triumph Vitesse The Triumph Vitesse is a compact six-cylinder car built by Standard-Triumph from May 1962 - July 1971. The car was styled by Giovanni Michelotti, and was available in saloon and convertible variants. The Vitesse name was first used by Austin i ...
*
Triumph Stag The Triumph Stag is a 2+2 sports tourer which was sold between 1970 and 1978 by the Triumph Motor Company, styled by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. Design and styling Envisioned as a luxury sports car, the Stag was designed to compete ...
*
Triumph Dolomite The Triumph Dolomite small saloon car was produced by the Triumph Motor Company division of the British Leyland Corporation in Canley, Coventry between October 1972 and August 1980. Background The Dolomite was the final addition to Triumph's ...
He also created a number of prototypes which did not go into production, such as the Triumph Fury. The only Triumphs after 1960 that were not his work were the TR6 and the TR7, plus the
Honda is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a producti ...
-based Acclaim. Triumph TR4 (Hudson).JPG,
Triumph TR4 The Triumph TR4 is a sports car produced by the Triumph Motor Company from 1961 to 1965. As the successor to the TR3A, the car was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the previous TR sports cars, but with a modern body designed by Michelot ...
1964 Triumph Fury.jpg, Triumph Fury (prototype) 1973.triumph.gt6.red.arp.jpg,
Triumph GT6 The Triumph GT6 is a 6-cylinder sports coupé built by Standard-Triumph, based on their popular Triumph Spitfire convertible. Production ran from 1966 to 1973. Development history In early 1963 Giovanni Michelotti was commissioned by Standard ...
1965TriumphSpitfire.jpg,
Triumph Spitfire The Triumph Spitfire is a British sports car and manufactured over five production iterations between 1962-1980. Styled for Standard- Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, the Spitfire was introduced at the London Motor Show ...
4 Mark 2 1972 Triumph Dolomite Michelotti Prototype 2.0.jpg,
Triumph Dolomite The Triumph Dolomite small saloon car was produced by the Triumph Motor Company division of the British Leyland Corporation in Canley, Coventry between October 1972 and August 1980. Background The Dolomite was the final addition to Triumph's ...
(original concept)


British Leyland

After Triumph's parent company Leyland Motors became a part of
British Leyland British Leyland was an automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate formed in the United Kingdom in 1968 as British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd (BLMC), following the merger of Leyland Motors and British Motor Holdings. It was partl ...
, Michelotti undertook a facelift of the
BMC 1100 The BMC ADO16 is a range of small family cars built by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and, later, British Leyland. Launched in 1962, it was Britain's best-selling car from 1963 to 1966 and from 1968 to 1971. The ADO16 was marketed under va ...
– which became the Spanish-built
Austin Victoria Victoria may refer to: Common meanings * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901) * Victoria (state), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a ...
and also the South African-built
Austin Apache The Austin Apache is a small family car that was produced by Leykor between November 1971 and 1978. The Apache was the last BMC ADO16 car to be produced. The Spanish manufacturer Authi also built a version of the car, called the Austin Victoria ...
. He also designed the
Leyland National The Leyland National is an integrally-constructed United Kingdom, British high-floor, step-floor single-decker bus manufactured in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industri ...
bus and the Australian-made
Leyland P76 The Leyland P76 is a large car that was produced by Leyland Australia, the Australian subsidiary of British Leyland. Featuring what was described at the time as the "standard Australian wheelbase of 111 inches", it was intended to provide the ...
.


BMW

Giovanni Michelotti's BMW association started with the
BMW 700 The BMW 700 is a small rear-engined car which was produced by BMW in various models from August 1959 to November 1965. It was the first BMW automobile with a monocoque structure. The 700 was a sales success at a time when BMW was close to fina ...
(1959) and later the successful
BMW New Class The BMW New Class (german: Neue Klasse) was a line of sedans and coupes produced by German automaker BMW between 1962 and 1977. These models ensured BMW's solvency after the company's financial crisis of the 1950s and established the identity of ...
series of designs of which the most notable is the BMW 2002. His sport sedan designs later became the BMW design language, that was continued and refined by
Ercole Spada Ercole Spada (born 26 July 1937 in Busto Arsizio) is an Italian automobile designer. His most notable designs were produced in the 1960s, for the Zagato design studio house, where Spada was chief stylist. During this period some of the most notabl ...
well into the 1980s.


DAF/Volvo

Michelotti also worked with the
Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...
firm DAF, starting in 1963 with redesigning the ageing Daffodil 31 model into the Daffodil 32 and
DAF 33 The DAF 33 is a compact saloon car produced by the DAF company of Eindhoven, in the Netherlands between 1967 and 1974. Outwardly and technically it differed little from its predecessor, the DAF Daffodil. 1966 had seen the introduction of the ...
. The Shellette beach car was also originally developed to use DAF underpinnings. The
DAF 44 The DAF 44 is a small family car that was introduced in September 1966 by the Dutch company DAF. It was the first car to be built at the company's new plant at Born in Limburg. Styled by Michelotti, it represented a cautious move upmarket fo ...
(1966) was a completely new design from his hand and he also helped form its derivatives 46, 55 and 66, which culminated in the
Volvo 66 The Volvo 66 sprang directly from the DAF 66, which was originally styled by Giovanni Michelotti. The compact car was introduced in August 1975, almost exactly a year after Volvo Cars, Volvo bought DAF Trucks, DAF, and before production of the Vol ...
(1975). In 1968, Michelotti built a concept car based on his DAF 55 design, called Siluro (
Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...
for
torpedo A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target. Historically, s ...
), which remained in his possession until his death. The car has since been restored and is in possession of the DAF museum in Eindhoven.


Own work

Michelotti did present a few cars under his own name. The Shellette was a beach car with wicker seats and dashboard in the spirit of Ghia's,
Fiat 500 The Fiat 500 ( it, Cinquecento, ) is a rear-engined, four-seat, small city car that was manufactured and marketed by Fiat Automobiles from 1957 until 1975 over a single generation in two-door saloon and two-door station wagon bodystyles. Launc ...
and
600 __NOTOC__ 600 ( DC) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 600 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the ...
Jollys. The Shellette was designed in collaboration with yacht designer Philip Schell. Originally constructed with DAF underpinnings, this was later changed to
Fiat 850 The Fiat 850 (''Tipo 100G'') is a small rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive car manufactured and marketed by Italian car manufacturer Fiat from 1964 to 1973. History Overview Its technical design was an evolution of the successful Fiat 600. The interna ...
mechanicals. Unlike the Ghia Jolly, the more powerful Shellette was a reasonably useful car having a heater and various other creature comforts. It was also capable of a cruising speed. Only about 80 were built, with around ten still in existence. Famous buyers included the
Dutch Royal Family The monarchy of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. As such, the role and position of the monarch are governed by the Constitution of the Netherlands. Consequently, a large portion of it is devoted to the monarch. Roughly a third of ...
, who used an early DAF-based Shellette at their summer property in Porto Ercole, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jacqueline Onassis, who employed a later model on the Onassis' private island Skorpios. Around 1980, the Fiat 127-based "Every" appeared, a light buggy-styled vehicle. Michelotti also marketed a luxurious version of the Daihatsu Taft (F10), Daihatsu Taft. In 1985 the Michelotti PAC was presented, a one-off citycar prototype (PAC = "Project Automotive Commuter") based on the Daihatsu Cuore.


Scammell

In the 1960s, Michelotti designed a glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) cab for certain lorries made by Scammell, who had become part of
Leyland Motors Leyland Motors Limited (later known as the Leyland Motor Corporation) was a British vehicle manufacturer of lorries, buses and trolleybuses. The company diversified into car manufacturing with its acquisitions of Triumph and Rover in 1960 and ...
in 1955. The cab was used for the Routeman, Handyman and Trunker models. The Townsman also had a Michelotti designed cab.


Other manufacturers

For other companies he designed the following (incomplete): * Abarth 205A Berlinetta * Arnolt MG for
Bertone Bertone is an Italian surname meaning "descendant of Roberto". Notable people with the surname include: * Alicia Bertone, American academic, researcher, and veterinary surgeon * Catherine Bertone (born 1972), Turkish-born female Italian marathon ...
* Arnolt-Bentley for Bertone * Aston Martin DB2/4 Bertone Drophead Coupé * Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale Coupé * Alpine A106 (1955) * Alpine A108 * Alpine A110 * Armstrong Siddeley (a one-off car based on the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire (motor car), Sapphire 234 chassis for a Spanish client) * Bugatti Type 252 * Cunningham C-3 Vignale Coupé and Cabriolet * Duple Coachbuilders, Duple Dominant II coach body * Fiat 8V Coupé, Cabriolet and ''Demon Rouge'' for
Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Enrico Nardi * Packard Eight 'Victoria' Vignale Cabriolet


References


Bibliography

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External links


Giovanni MichelottiMichelotti studio website


Giovanni Michelotti on the page with an overview of automotive designers working for BMW.
Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale
designed by Giovanni Michelotti
Michelotti World. 1921-2021
{{DEFAULTSORT:Michelotti, Giovanni 1921 births 1980 deaths Italian automobile designers Triumph Motor Company BMW designers Lancia people Maserati people Ferrari people