Gandini was born in Turin on 26 August 1938 into a "family steeped in classical music".^[3] His father was a former orchestral conductor and composer and wanted his son to become a pianist. Gandini, however, developed an early and intense interest in cars and mechanical engineering.^[4] He was sent to a classical lyceum and studied the piano, but continued to have "a passion for engines, mechanics and technology" and left school at 18, which resulted in his being rejected by his parents.^[5] In 1964, he approached Nuccio Bertone, head of the Gruppo Bertone company, who was impressed by his zeal and wanted to apprentice him to Giorgetto Giugiaro, his chief designer.^[6] The following year Giorgetto left to start his own studio, and at the age of 27, Gandini was hired to take his place.^[7] He designed the Lamborghini Miura, from first sketch to finished prototype, in three months, and remained with the company for fourteen years.

Gandini created the 'Stile Bertone' styling house in Caprie. Turin, working as its general manager as well as designing concept cars, and managing the construction of prototype automobiles for the many car makers who hired Bertone, often specifically Gandini.^[1]

Gandini is most known for his designs for many Lamborghini sports cars, beginning with the groundbreaking rear mid-engined Lamborghini Miura in the mid 1960s with a transversely mounted V12. He went onto design the Espada, Urraco, Countach, and the original design proposal for the Diablo, as well as a number of Lamborghini concept cars.^[8]

Gandini also designed practical mass-production cars, including sub-compacts, such as the Innocenti Mini and the first generation Volkswagen Polo,^[9] as well as midsize family cars, such as the first-generation BMW 5 Series and Citroën BX.^[1]

The Lancia Stratos rally sportscar, featuring a seamless semi-elliptic windshield and door glass combination, is also a Gandini design.^[1]

Gandini left Bertone in July 1979 to set up his own design house, Clama,^[10] pursuing freelance automotive, industrial, and interior design, and worked exclusively for Renault for the first five years, resulting in the second generation Renault 5 (the 'Supercinq') and the Renault Magnum truck.^[11] He later worked with Maserati, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru, as well as returning to Lamborghini to work on the Diablo in the 1990s.^[12]

Gandini also worked in other areas, including home architecture, the design of a nightclub interior, and the body styling of the Heli-Sport CH-7 helicopter.^[1]

In January 2024, Gandini was recognised by the Polytechnic University of Turin with an honorary degree in mechanical engineering.^[13]

Gandini died on 13 March 2024, at the age of 85.^[14]

Car designs that Gandini was involved in include:

Gallery of car designs edit

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  1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo concept
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  1968 Lamborghini Miura S
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  1970 BMW 2002ti Garmisch concept
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  1970 Lancia Stratos Zero concept
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  1972 BMW 5 Series (1st generation)
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  1974 Lancia Stratos
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  1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400
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  1974 Maserati Khamsin
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  1976 Ferrari Rainbow concept at left, and 1973 Ferrari GT4 at right
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  The Citroën BX hatchback became one of the best-selling Citroën models
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  1986 Lamborghini Diablo P132 prototype
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  1990 Maserati Shamal
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  2000 Stola S81 Stratos concept