Show review: Gandini glory at Goodwood 2024

At the Cartier Style et Luxe Two groups of classic car were dedicated to Marcello Gandini designs: a collection of beautiful Lamborghinis – on account of the supercar brand most closely associated with his work – but also some of his more mainstream work for Fiat, Citroen and VW, under the witty title Marcello’s Mass-terpieces. That these Gandini creations held their own or arguably outshone an incredible collection of classic 1930s Bugatti Type 57s – including the iconic rivet-seamed Atlantic – plus a low-slung selection of 21st century Pagani hypercars, is a testament to the longevity and timeless design of the Italian master.

Alongside some curious beach buggies and industrial tractors from brands now more known for high-speed performance, the Cartier Style et Luxe exhibit was as discerning, eclectic and diverse as ever. Would you ever get a Porsche tractor next to a Lamborghini Diablo at Villa d’Este or Pebble Beach? I think not. Here is our 2024 Goodwood Gandini Top Ten…

1. 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S

The 1970-registered Miura P400S in flat orange sitting on the Cartier lawn was a superb example of the first-generation design, easily identifiable by its ‘black eyelashes’ around the front headlights. Later versions had more power and are generally worth more at auction, but this is the purest interpretation and a practical one in many ways too. As he told this writer back in 2011, about those infamous front lights: “There was no intention of creating eyelashes. It was just a way of finding original design solutions. The headlights were from the Fiat 850 Spider and I didn’t want them to be recognisable.”

2. 1970s Lamborghini Espada

The two-door, four-seat Lamborghini Espada is only 4730mm long, but due to its tiny 1185mm height and conventional – by modern standards – 1860mm width, has a beautifully stretched-out proportion, best appreciated directly perpendicular to its side profile. Gandini for families.

3. 1970 BMW Garmisch

A pivotal concept car by Gandini while at the famous design house Bertone, made for BMW and unveiled at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show. The design led to the first-generation production 1972 BMW 5 series that Gandini co-designed with Paul Bracq. Gandini even owned a couple of 520s, but wasn’t fully sold – “good bodies but mechanical disasters” he told CDN. This design still looks magnificent up close and has clearly influenced BMW’s latest 21st Century ‘Neue Klasse’ direction too.

4. 1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal

This beautiful but slightly rare-groove Alfa GT is a 1973 version of the 1970-77 production model developed from Gandini’s original 1967 prototype named after the Montreal Expo 67. The front headlights’ distinctive slatted vents create a evocative veiled-eyed look, which alongside its NACA centre bonnet duct and C-pillar detailing, add excellent great graphic interest to this late-1960s two-door coupé silhouette.

5. 1970s & 80s Fiat X1/9

Inspired by the clean-lined, open-top Barbarella-esque colour-way 1969 Autobianchi Runabout also penned by Gandini, the 1972 Fiat X1/9 two-seater wedge added a roll-over bar, pop-up lights and a washboard-style rear. A democratic and classic design by Gandini, the car lasted a full decade in production with Fiat, when a Bertone badge replaced it and continued manufacture until 1989. Still looks great.

6. 1976 Lamborghini Silhouette

What’s fantastic about Cartier’s Style et Luxe exhibit is its ability to deliver the unexpected. At a Gandini tribute exhibit a Miura and Countach are almost mandatory – and were both present and correct on this year’s lawn – but the 1976 Lamborghini Silhouette was a delight. Based on the Urraco, with a detachable roof-panel and chunky black rear buttresses, telephone dial wheels and limited to just 54 units, this is a rare beast. And an elegant one.

7. 1977 VW Polo mk1

Given Giugiaro’s strong relationship with Volkswagen in the mid-1970s with the Golf, Passat and Scirocco, it’s perhaps surprising to know that Gandini is behind the first generation of one of the German brand’s (still) major-league model names. The Gandini design that became the first Polo was originally conceived for VW sister brand Audi as the 50 in 1972. The models were initially sold alongside each other, but the 50 was withdrawn in 1978 and the Polo went on to become a legend of mass-motoring.

8. 1989 Citroen BX 16V

The breadth of Gandini’s work – and sensibility for functional design –shines through in mainstream masterpieces like the Citroen BX. Launched in production form in 1982, the angular design inspiration can clearly be seen in Gandini’s earlier 1979 Volvo Tundra concept for Bertone. This 1989 16V version still looks fresh, especially in its rear C-pillar exterior details and interior dash and seats. The BX and Gandini also featured in a Citroen TV advert, where he used it as a daily commuter car, while the voiceover declared, “machismo is not for Marcello”. Definitely worth checking out.

9. 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0

Long after he had left Bertone and gone freelance, Lamborghini approached the Italian design genius to create a successor to his iconic 1970s and 80s Countach supercar. Gandini created the P132 prototype which inspired the Diablo design. But the 1991 Cizeta-Moroder V16T – named after initial investment from synth music legend Giorgio Moroder behind Donna Summer and Flashdance – was how Gandini really wanted the Diablo to look. Still, this VT 6.0 still cuts a wedgy dash.

10. Lamborghini Countach

So commonplace is the Countach on 21st century concours lawns and late-20th century bedroom wall posters, its place in wider visual culture – never mind just the world of car design – is assured. Still looking like a spaceship in all its dramatically low and angular glory, the early-to mid-70s version of the production car that lasted 25 years is still the definitive one and its place within 2024’s Cartier et Luxe a fitting tribute to its incredible designer.