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Giovanni Michelotti

{{Short description|Italian designer (1921–1980)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

File:1960 Michelotti Nardi-Plymouth Silver Ray 06.jpg and the 1960 Plymouth Silver Ray.]]

File:1957Fiat600MultiplaMarinella.jpg, bodied by Fissore]]

File:1953 Arnolt Aston Martin DB2-4 Bertone Cabriolet (LML504), left side at Greenwich 2019.jpg Bertone Drophead Coupé]]

Giovanni Michelotti (6 October 1921 – 23 January 1980{{cite web|url=https://automotivehistory.org/automotive/january-23-1980-designer-giovanni-michelotti-passes-away/|title=January 23, 1980 – Designer Giovanni Michelotti passes away|publisher=Automotive History|access-date=2 July 2020|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623235401/https://automotivehistory.org/automotive/january-23-1980-designer-giovanni-michelotti-passes-away/|url-status=dead}}) was one of the most prolific designers of sports cars in the 20th century. His notable contributions were for Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati and Triumph marques. He was also associated with truck designs for Leyland Motors, and with designs for British Leyland (including the Leyland National bus) after the merger of Leyland and BMC.

Born in Turin, Italy, Michelotti worked for coachbuilders, including Stabilimenti Farina, Vignale, Allemano, Bertone, Ghia, Ghia-Aigle,{{cite web|url=http://www.ghia-aigle.info/cars.htm|title=Carrosserie Ghia Aigle - Cars|website=ghia-aigle.info|access-date=16 November 2020}} Scioneri, Monterosa, Viotti, Fissore and OSI, 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, Moretti, Francis Lombardi and Nardi.{{cite web|url=http://www.archiviostoricomichelotti.it/elenco-vetture|title=Elenco delle Vetture progettate da Giovanni Michelotti conosciute al momento| trans-title = List of currently known cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti | work=Archivio Storico Michelotti | language=it| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20211114195309/http://www.archiviostoricomichelotti.it/elenco-vetture | archivedate = 2021-11-14 }} From 1962, Michelotti concluded cooperation with Carrozzeria Vignale and began his own coachbuilding activities.{{cite book|last=Vignale|first=Alfredo Zanellato|year=2009|title=Vignale con Michelotti Designer|publisher=ASI|pages=66}}

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.{{cite journal |journal=Quattroruote |title=Conversazione con Giovanni Michelotti: Tante, tante automobili |trans-title=A conversation with Giovanni Michelotti: Many, Many Cars |language=it |date=March 1978 |volume=23 |issue=268 |publisher=Editoriale Domus |location=Milan, Italy |editor-first=Gianni |editor-last=Mazzocchi |page=114 |url=http://www.registrospitfire.it/articoli/IntervistaMichelotti.htm |access-date=2012-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701071613/http://www.registrospitfire.it/articoli/IntervistaMichelotti.htm |archive-date=1 July 2007 | quote = Disegna sempre solo vetture? "Soppratutto, ma .... doppo la guerra anche una macchina per fare il caffe." (Q: Have you always designed only cars? A: Almost exclusively, but...after the war, also a machine for making coffee.) }}

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; Lugano Coupé and Spider for Ghia-Aigle{{cite web|url=http://www.ghia-aigle.info/1957_alfa.htm|title=Carrosserie Ghia Aigle - Alfa Romeo 1900 Coupé Lugano 1957|website=ghia-aigle.info|access-date=16 November 2020}}
  • Alfa Romeo 2000 Vignale Coupé, Ghia-Aigle Coupé and Cabriolet
  • Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Michelotti Goccia, 1961{{cite web|url=http://www.carstyling.ru/en/car/1961_alfa_romeo_giulietta_goccia/|title=1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Goccia (Michelotti)|website=carstyling.ru|access-date=16 November 2020}}
  • Alfa Romeo 2600 Berlina De Luxe for OSI

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 Stabilimenti Farina Coupé, 1946; Cabriolet, 1947
  • Lancia Aprilia Berlina Gran Lusso and Cabriolet for Stabilimenti Farina, 1947; Coupé for Vignale, 1949{{cite web|url=http://www.vignalegamine.net/vignale_lancia.html|title=Vignale Lancia|website=vignalegamine.net|access-date=21 November 2020}}
  • 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, commissioned by Enrico Nardi
  • Lancia Appia Allemano Coupé; Cabriolet, 1957; Lusso Coupé, prototype and series production cars for Vignale
  • Lancia Flavia Vignale Cabriolet, would become the last Michelotti design for Vignale.
  • Lancia Mizar concept, 1974, based on Beta featuring four gull-wing doors
  • Lancia Beta Carrera, 1975 for Felber
  • Lancia Beta Felber FF, 1976

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 Cabriolet

1965 Lancia Flavia Cabriolet Vignale Milleotto fvr.jpg|Lancia Flavia Vignale Cabriolet

Lancia Mizar.jpg|Lancia Mizar concept

Ferrari

  • Ferrari 166 MM Coupé and Spider for Vignale
  • Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé and Cabriolet for Stabilimenti Farina; Coupé for Ghia; Coupé for Vignale
  • Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta, Spider, Cabriolet and Coupé for Vignale
  • Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé, Spider and Cabriolet for Ghia; Coupé, Spider and Cabriolet for Vignale; Coupé for Ghia-Aigle
  • Ferrari 225 S Coupé and Spider for Vignale
  • Ferrari 250 S Coupé for Vignale
  • Ferrari 250 MM Coupé and Spider for Vignale
  • Ferrari 250 Europa Coupé and Spider for Vignale
  • Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupé for Vignale
  • Ferrari 340 America Coupé and 2+2 Coupé for Ghia; Coupé and Spider for Vignale
  • Ferrari 340 Mexico Coupé and Spider for Vignale
  • Ferrari 340 MM 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 Coupé for Ghia
  • Ferrari 375 America Coupé for Vignale
  • Ferrari 330 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){{Cite web|url=https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/10-more-odd-ferraris-we-almost-forgot|title=10 more odd Ferraris we almost forgot|last=Easthope|first=Alex|date=2015-03-31|website=www.classicdriver.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-17}}{{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/Detail/0812.250P.htm|title=250 P s/n 0812|website=barchetta.cc|access-date=16 November 2020}}
  • Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Beach Car for Felber, 1976
  • Ferrari 400i Meera S, 1983{{Cite web|url=https://www.ronsusser.com/inventory/listing/1982-ferrari-400i-meera-s-one-off-michelotti-prototype/|title=1982 Ferrari 400i Meera S One off Michelotti Prototype|website=RonSusser.com|access-date=2020-03-27}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.italian.sakura.ne.jp/bad_toys/meera/|title=Ferrari Meera S by Michelotti|website=www.italian.sakura.ne.jp|access-date=2020-03-27}}
  • Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Michelotti N.A.R.T. Spider (re-body of an existing Ferrari 365 GTB/4 commissioned by Luigi Chinetti, 4 built for road use){{cite web|url=http://www.barchetta.cc/All.Ferraris/by-serial-number/ferrari-by-serial-number/model-index-65-71/model-summary/ferrari-365-gtb-4-michelotti-nart-spyder-register/index.html|title=Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Michelotti NART Spyder - Register|website=barchetta.cc|access-date=30 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1972-ferrari-365-gtb-4-daytona-nart-spider/|title=1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona NART Spider|website=Gooding & Company|language=en|access-date=2018-09-17|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205150737/https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1972-ferrari-365-gtb-4-daytona-nart-spider/|url-status=dead}}
  • Ferrari 365 GTB/4 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){{Cite news|url=https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo18/auction/lots/r0127-1972-ferrari-365-gtb4-nart-spider-competizione-by-michelotti|title=RM Sotheby's - 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 NART Spider Competizione by Michelotti {{!}} Monterey 2018|date=2018-08-26|work=RM Sotheby's|access-date=2018-09-17|archive-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034411/https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo18/auction/lots/r0127-1972-ferrari-365-gtb4-nart-spider-competizione-by-michelotti|url-status=dead}}

1952 Ferrari 212 Vignale Coupe.JPG|Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupé

Paris - Retromobile 2014 - Ferrari 225 S Berlinetta - 1952 - 001.jpg|Ferrari 225 S Vignale Berlinetta

Ferrari 340MM Vignale Spyder.jpg|Ferrari 340 MM Vignale Spyder

Ferrari 375 Vignale 1.jpg|Ferrari 375 America Vignale Coupé

Ferrari 330 GT by Michelotti.jpg|Ferrari 330 GT Michelotti

Rear View of 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB4 NART Spider by Michelotti.jpg|1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 NART Spider Competizione, bodied by Michelotti

Maserati

  • Maserati A6G 2000 Vignale Coupé, Paris Show car.
  • Maserati A6G/54 2000 Allemano Coupé.
  • Maserati A6GCS/53 Vignale Spider Corsa, commissioned by Tony Parravano and rebodied by Scaglietti in 1955.
  • Maserati 3500 GT Allemano Coupé, 2 units; Spyder, prototypes and series production cars for Vignale.
  • Maserati 5000 GT Coupé for Allemano; One-off Coupé realised by Carrozzeria Michelotti, commissioned by Briggs Cunningham.
  • Maserati Sebring 1962, prototype and series production cars for Vignale.{{Cite book | author = Tabucchi, Maurizio | title = Maserati: The Grand Prix, Sports and GT cars model by model, 1926-2003 | publisher = Giorgio Nada Editore s.r.l. | location = Milano | page = 246 | year = 2003 | isbn = 8879112600 }}

1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Allemano Coupe - fvl1.jpg|Maserati A6G/54 2000 Allemano Coupé

1959 Maserati 3500 GT Spider fl.jpg|Maserati 3500 GT Spyder prototype

1962 Maserati 5000 GT Allemano - fvl.jpg|Maserati 5000 GT Allemano Coupé, 22 made in total

Paris - Bonhams 2016 - Maserati Sebring 3.7 litre série II coupé - 1967 - 001.jpg|Maserati Sebring series II

Standard Triumph

From the late 1950s Michelotti was responsible for all new models produced by the British company Standard Triumph, starting with a facelift of the Standard Vanguard and going on to design other models for Triumph such as:

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-based Acclaim.

Triumph TR4 (Hudson).JPG|Triumph TR4

1964 Triumph Fury.jpg|Triumph Fury (prototype)

1973.triumph.gt6.red.arp.jpg|Triumph GT6

1965TriumphSpitfire.jpg|Triumph Spitfire 4 Mark 2

Concours d'élégance Suisse 09.jpg|Triumph TR5 Ginevra prototype

1972 Triumph Dolomite Michelotti Prototype 2.0.jpg|Triumph Dolomite (original concept)

British Leyland

After Triumph's parent company Leyland Motors became a part of British Leyland, Michelotti undertook a facelift of the BMC 1100 – which became the Spanish-built Austin Victoria and also the South African-built Austin Apache. He also designed the Leyland National bus and the Australian-made Leyland P76.

BMW

File:Oldtimer Show 2007 - 062 - BMW.jpg

Giovanni Michelotti's BMW association started with the BMW 700 (1959) and later the successful BMW New Class series of designs of which the most notable is the BMW 2002. He also created the 02-Series 2000 Touring model. His sport sedan designs later became the BMW design language, that was continued and refined by Ercole Spada well into the 1980s.

DAF/Volvo

File:DAF 46.jpg, in design a nearly unchanged 44]]

Michelotti also worked with the Dutch firm DAF, starting in 1963 with redesigning the ageing Daffodil 31 model into the Daffodil 32 and DAF 33. The Shellette beach car was also originally developed to use DAF underpinnings. The DAF 44 (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 (1975). In 1968, Michelotti built a concept car based on his DAF 55 design, called Siluro (Italian for torpedo), which remained in his possession until his death. The car has since been restored and is in possession of the DAF museum in Eindhoven.[https://www.supercars.net/blog/1968-daf-55-siluro/ 1968 DAF 55 Siluro]

Own work

File:1969 Michelotti Shellette (850).jpg

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 and 600 Jollys. The Shellette was designed in collaboration with yacht designer Philip Schell. Originally constructed with DAF underpinnings, this was later changed to Fiat 850 mechanicals. Unlike the Ghia Jolly, the more powerful {{cvt|47|hp-metric|kW}} Shellette was a reasonably useful car having a heater and various other creature comforts. It was also capable of a {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} cruising speed. Only about 80 were built, with around ten still in existence. Famous buyers included the Dutch Royal Family, who used an early DAF-based Shellette at their summer property in Porto Ercole, and Jacqueline Onassis, who employed a later model on the Onassis' private island Skorpios.{{ citation | title = Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction | publisher = Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers | type = Auction Catalogue | id = Sale Number 21153 | publication-place = New York, NY | chapter = 361 | pages = 160–161 | date = 2013-06-02 }}

Around 1980, the Fiat 127-based "Every" appeared, a light buggy-styled vehicle. Michelotti also marketed a luxurious version of the Daihatsu Taft.{{Cite journal | editor = Costa, André & Georges-Michel Fraichard | date = September 1980 | title = Salon 1980: Toutes les Voitures du Monde | issue = 14 & 15 | page = 202 | journal = l'Auto Journal | publisher = Homme N°1 | location = Paris | language = fr | id = M1117 }} In 1985 the Michelotti PAC was presented, a one-off citycar prototype (PAC = "Project Automotive Commuter") based on the Daihatsu Cuore.{{cite book | title = Auto Katalog 1986 | publisher = Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG | editor-last = Heitz | editor-first = Rudolf | location = Stuttgart | page = 107 | volume = 29 | language = de | date = 1985-08-01 | id = 81530/85001 }}

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 in 1955. The cab was used for the Routeman, Handyman and Trunker models.{{cite web | title = The History of Scammell Lorries Limited | publisher = The Scammell Register | url = http://scammellregister.co.uk/history-of-scammell.html | access-date = 2008-10-06}} The Townsman also had a Michelotti designed cab.

Other manufacturers

File:1953 Fiat 8V Demon Rouge.jpg Demon Rouge]]

File:Cisitalia-Ford 808 XF 1952 schräg.JPG

File:1955 Jaguar D-Type (Michelotti).jpg

File:1988.reliant.scimitar.ssi.1300.arp.jpg]]

For other companies he designed the following (this is an incomplete list):

See also

References

{{reflist}}

=Bibliography=

{{refbegin}}

  • {{Cole-CCA |chapter=Chapter 11: Michelotti: A Triumph of Design}}
  • {{cite book|author=Vignale, Alfredo Zanellato|title=Vignale con Michelotti Designer|publisher=ASI|year=2009}}

{{refend}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20120216210426/http://t2000.kvaleberg.org/t_miche.html Giovanni Michelotti]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080604170120/http://austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?micheprotof.htm Some Michelotti design studies]
  • {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000229173225/http://www.michelotti.com/ Michelotti studio website]}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20121018184007/http://www.bmwism.com/bmws_designers.htm BMW Designers ] Giovanni Michelotti on the page with an overview of automotive designers working for BMW.
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20131110232541/http://home.roadrunner.com/~piantieri/fiatjoll.htm Registry for Fiat Shellette and Fiat Jolly MicroCars]
  • [http://www.lanciastory.pl/lancia-aurelia-b52-vignale/ Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale] designed by Giovanni Michelotti
  • [https://www.museoauto.com/en/michelotti-world-1921-2021-one-hundred-years-of-a-designer-without-borders/ Michelotti World. 1921-2021] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127105045/https://www.museoauto.com/en/michelotti-world-1921-2021-one-hundred-years-of-a-designer-without-borders/ |date=27 January 2022 }}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coachbuilders of Italy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Michelotti, Giovanni}}

Category:1921 births

Category:1980 deaths

Category:Italian automobile designers

Category:Triumph Motor Company

Category:BMW designers

Category:Lancia people

Category:Maserati people

Category:Ferrari people