The designer of the groundbreaking 1974 Lamborghini Countach, Marcello Gandini, has issued a exceptional statement to the press relating to the not too long ago launched Countach LPI 800-4. In it, he repeatedly affirms that he had nothing to do with the revived Countach that Lamborghini revealed at Monterey Automotive Week on the event of the mannequin’s fiftieth anniversary.
Gandini alleges that Lamborghini might have misled the general public into considering he had one thing to do with the Sián reskin, and he desires to make it clear that he had nothing to do with it.
“The exterior public, seeing and studying what has been communicated by Automobili Lamborghini and consequently by the media throughout latest weeks, could also be led into believing that Marcello Gandini was part of, or was concerned with, or the venture might have had his blessing. It’s due to this fact acceptable to make clear the details and reiterate that he didn’t take part in, nor was he conscious of the venture in any means.”
Not often has a designer of Gandini’s stature and reputation so publicly refuted an organization they’ve labored for. Although Gandini penned automobiles from the standard Renault 5 to the masterful E12 BMW 5 Collection to the unbelievable Lancia Stratos, it’s Lamborghini — the place he was answerable for the legendary Miura, Espada, Marzal and Countach, amongst others — that Gandini is traditionally most intently related to.
A number of the confusion Gandini references stems from a video published by Lamborghini earlier this yr. In it, Gandini talks about his design philosophy (which, satirically, contains breaking new floor with each design) and present Lamborghini head of design Mitja Borkert presents Gandini with a scale mannequin of the then-upcoming Countach LPI 800-4. The latter believes that his presence within the video equates to tacit approval of the brand new design.
“Neither earlier, nor throughout the interview was it acknowledged that the automobile was scheduled for restricted sequence manufacturing. With the magnificence and kindness which have at all times distinguished Marcello Gandini, when Mitja Borkert introduced the size mannequin throughout the interview, the previous did smile and acknowledge as could be customary to take action.”
Gandini believed that the mannequin was the tip of it, however after Lamborghini pulled the wraps off of the LPI 800-4, he says he acquired “numerous requests for clarification” from press and colleagues within the auto design discipline. He determined to situation the assertion to clarify he had nothing to do with the remake. Moreover, he desires the general public to know that he is in opposition to the thought altogether. And although he does not criticize the design itself, he skewers the notion of a remake.
“Thus, Marcello Gandini want to reaffirm that he had no function on this operation, and because the creator and creator of the unique design from 1971, want to make clear that the makeover doesn’t replicate his spirit and his imaginative and prescient. A spirit of innovation and breaking the mould which is in his opinion completely absent on this new design: ‘I’ve constructed my id as a designer, particularly when engaged on supercars for Lamborghini, on a novel idea: every new mannequin I’d work on could be an innovation, a breaker, one thing fully totally different from the earlier one. Braveness, the flexibility to create a break with out sticking to the success of the earlier automobile, the boldness in not wanting to provide in to behavior have been the very essence of my work’, explains Marcello Gandini. ‘It’s clear that markets and advertising and marketing itself has modified loads since then, however so far as I’m involved, to repeat a mannequin of the previous, represents for my part the negation of the founding ideas of my DNA.'”
For its half, Lamborghini has issued its personal response to Gandini, which Top Gear revealed. The corporate explains that the Countach LPI 800-4 was the work of designers at their Centro Stile and R&D division.
“The Firm has by no means attributed any function to Marcello Gandini within the realisation of the Countach LPI 800-4. As an alternative, Automobili Lamborghini have invited Mr Gandini to participate in an interview that befell in June 2021. This was a dialog with the designer and Head of Centro Stile Lamborghini in regards to the comparability between the previous mannequin and the brand new one.”
It is comprehensible that Gandini desires to guard his legacy and identify, nevertheless it additionally appears apparent that Lamborghini by no means meant to mislead the general public about his involvement. Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that every one 112 models have already been bought out, so somebody on the market does recognize them.
All in all, it is a regrettable misunderstanding that has marred what ought to in any other case be a golden anniversary celebration of probably the most well-known and beloved automobiles of all time. Maybe we must always simply ignore it and revel within the Countach LP500 idea rebirth as an alternative.
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