From Alfa Romeo To Porsche: 7 Iconic Cars That Shaped The World’s Best Car Designers

Ask any specific athlete or artist who inspired them early on, and you’ll likely hear another name that influenced their rise to fame. LeBron had Jordan, Bono had Bowie and Streep quoted De Niro. The same applies to automotive design. Here we asked the people responsible (in whole or in part) for poster-worthy cars – from the Ferrari Testarossa to the McLaren F1 and Bugatti Mistral: Which models serve as your creative inspiration? Although you’ll recognize some notable names on this list (the 1967 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale has already been nominated twice), some unexpected choices will definitely surprise you.

1932 Ford Model B. Image credit: Illustration by Kasik. Design: Edsel Ford. Nominee: Karma Automotive design chief Mitchell Christensen led the team responsible for the second-generation Acura NSX. Reason: “My dad’s got a cool ’32 Ford.” I actually started tracking and learning about it in the garage when I was about 10 years old. The simplicity of 32 is what I like most. It’s amazing to see how people modify it over generations to create their own unique creations – it’s almost like a canvas. An artist’s artwork capturing one of the most iconic car shapes of all time. This was also my first design experience with this car. A family friend and pinstripe allowed me to create a pinstripe design. ,

1932 Ford Model B

Nominee: Karma Automotive design chief Mitchell Christensen led the team responsible for the second-generation Acura NSX.

Reason: “My dad got a ’32 Ford hot rod when I was about 10 years old, and that’s when I really started tracking and learning about it in the garage. “The simplicity of the ’32 is what I love about it. Favorite thing. It’s amazing. Look at how people are modifying it under “Generations Passed” to create their own unique creation – it’s almost a blank canvas for an artist, while still being one of the best of all time. One of the most iconic car shapes has been retained. I also had my first design experience with this car. A family friend and stripe designer allowed me to create a stripe design.

1970 Ferrari 512S Modulo Image credit: Cassic Design Illustration by: Paolo Martin Nominated by: Ian Cameron, former design director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, responsible for the Phantom coupe, first generation Ghost and Dawn drophead coupe Reason: “We have the model 70- The 2019 Modulo defied all possible expectations of a car by remaining a reliable four-wheel “car” even though it was undoubtedly more Pininfarina than Ferrari. It was one of those unexpected shots in the dark , even though it never spawned a remotely similar series, was “true” in both title and form, so much so that it never left our minds.

ferrari 512 s 1970 modulo

Nominee: Ian Cameron, former design director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, responsible for the Phantom Coupé, the first generation Ghost and the Dawn Drophead Coupé.

Reason: The ’70 Modulo abandoned all possible expectations of a car, while remaining a reliable four-wheel “car” – even if it was undoubtedly more Pininfarina than Ferrari. The sheer authority conferred by this unique gesture was for the Italian carrozzerias one of those unexpected shots in the dark, even though they had never made a series remotely similar, but in name and form it was clearly ” was right”, so much so that it never left our minds.

1966 Lamborghini Miura Image Source: Cacique Illustration Design: Marcello Gandini Nomination: Stellantis Chief designer Ralph Giles has influenced the design of the Dodge Viper from the second generation onwards. Reason: “Every time I see this car on the road, I feel like I have to stop and admire its slow, evocative presence. It was one of the fastest cars ever made and celebrates performance and design. The pop-up headlights give it a bit of character, which is unexpected for a serious performance car. I like how the hood and shoulder line merge with the tops of the doors and ultimately form a frame for the scoop adjacent to the side windows. The rear of the car features a recessed cutout, a theme we still use today to control aerodynamics and stability at high speeds.

1966 lamborghini miura

Designer: Marcello Gandini

Recommended: Stellantis chief designer Ralph Giles, who has influenced the design of the Dodge Viper since the second generation.

Why: “Whenever I see this car on the road, I have to stop and admire its slow, evocative presence. It was one of the fastest cars ever made and is renowned for its performance and design The pop-up headlights add to its effortless look. A charming character that’s unexpected for a performance car. Literally. I like how the hood and shoulder line flows into the top of the doors and ultimately the side windows. The satay frames the scoop. The rear of the car has a fixed cutout, a theme we still use today to control aerodynamics and stability at high speeds.

Image of the 1993 Porsche Boxster concept. Photo: Illustration by Kasik. Design: Grant Larson. Nominee: Mitja Burkert, Head of Design at Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., responsible for the Lamborghini Terzo Millennio, Urus and Revuelto. Why: “The Porsche Boxster Concept has fascinated me since I was young and intended to become a designer while studying at university. This Porsche inspires me not only because of its styling, but also because it embodies the inspiration of the team behind it. It reflected the spirit of James Dean and Porsche beginning with the RS60 Spyder 2. It really had an impact. This pattern is deeply ingrained in my drawings of that period.

1993 Porsche Boxster Concept

Nominee: Mitja Burkert, Head of Design at Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., responsible for the third millennium of Lamborghini, Urus and Revuelto.

Reason: “I was fascinated by the Porsche Boxster concept from a young age and while studying at university with the goal of becoming a designer. This Porsche inspires me not only with its styling, but also because it is a source of inspiration. The symbol of the team behind it. It reflects the spirit of James Dean and the beginning of the Porsche RS60 Spyder 2. In fact, this model deeply influenced my paintings of that period.

Vw golf mk1 1974. Image credit: Illustration by Kasik. Design: Giorgetto Giugiaro. Nominated: Ian Callum, former chief designer of TWR Design, former design director of Jaguar and co-founder of Callum, responsible for the Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type Why: “The Golf has a thoughtfulness and precision of design that is rarely seen It is possible to cross. This was somewhat controversial at the time: he adopted Giugiaro’s origami style, but achieved a precision that resonated with those who appreciated his innovation – those who got it, got it. It is of magnificent proportions and probably the finest example of its class ever built. The dog foot design on the C-pillar was a symbol of genius. Then, with the bigger wheels and lower wheelbase, along with the wider stance giving it even more power, the GTI made an already exceptional car even better.

1974 Volkswagen Golf Mk1

Designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro

Recommended: Ian Callum, former chief designer of TWR Design, former design director of Jaguar, co-founder of Callum, responsible for the Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type

Why: “The Golf has a thoughtfulness and precision of design that can rarely be surpassed. It was somewhat controversial at the time: it adopted Giugiaro’s origami style, but achieved a precision that rivaled those resonated with those who appreciated its innovation – those who received it understood: “It has superb proportions and is probably one of the finest examples of its class ever made. The dog paw pattern on the C-pillar was a piece of genius. Then, thanks to the bigger wheels and lower, wider stance, more power makes the GTI’s already exceptional car even better.

Red Bull Newey in 2010, Red Bull Design spindle-shaped, with two funnels with ground effect – helicopter car. This has influenced the way I look at a new supercar or sports car. I want to see the ground first from outside. I want to understand how it works.”

red bull x 2010

Nominated: Frank Hill, Bugatti Rimac Design Director, responsible for the Bugatti Chiron, Divo and Mistral as chief exterior designer under the direction of Achim Anscheidt.

Reason: “I was very impressed by Adrian Newey’s approach to the design of the 2010 Red Bull. What really made it popular was the low floor: it has the shape of a spindle with two ground effect funnels – a helicopter. It inspired my Look at the car. The new supercar or sports car. I want to see the floor before the outside. I want to understand how it works.”

Image Credit: Alfa Romeo Tipo Image Credit: Kasik Design Illustration B: Franco Scaglione Nominated: Gordon Murray, former Design Director of McLaren Cars and founder of Gordon Murray Automotive, responsible for the McLaren F1 and GMA T.50 Why: “With “The Alfa 33, Stradale has its roots in motorsport. The Alfa 33 Stradale is truly sophisticated in terms of performance, highlighted by its distinctive aerodynamic shape and perfect visual balance. I love how lightweight the design looks, but it also says a lot about the car’s capabilities. Whichever approach you choose, see this 33 Stradale is the epitome of elegant, engineered design.

alfa romeo tipo

Design B: Franco Scaglione

Nominee: Gordon Murray, former design director of McLaren Cars and founder of Gordon Murray Automotive, responsible for the McLaren F1 and GMA T.50.

Why: “With its roots in motorsport, the Alfa 33 Stradale truly excels in performance, highlighted by its distinctive aerodynamic shape and perfect visual balance. I love how effortless its design feels, but at the same time the car That speaks volumes for the capabilities of the . No matter how you look at the 33 Stradale, you’ll see a beautiful, engineered design.