RIP: Automotive racer and designer Elio Zagato, 1921-2009
Dr. Elio Zagato – Click above for high-res image gallery
The automotive world lost one of its most cherished designers yesterday with the passing of Dr. Elio Zagato. The gentleman racer, son of the legendary Ugo Zagato and head of the eponymous design studio, was 88 years old.
Over the span of his career, Zagato pioneered such features as the signature double-bubble roof and the use of plexiglass windows to cut weight. Among his most legendary creations stand the Ferrari 250 GTZ, Maserati A6G and Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, to name just a few. Called "Zagatino" by Enzo Ferrari, the late Dr. Elio was an accomplished gentleman racer, competing with the likes of Fangio and Nuvolari to take 82 race wins and five GT championships. His contribution to the industry will surely be missed but fondly remembered. Details in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: Elio Zagato
[Source: Zagato]
PRESS RELEASE:
Milan, the 15th of September 2009
Dr. Elio Zagato passed away yesterday at the age of 88.
Son of Ugo Zagato, founder of the famous Milanese Atelier, renowned in the whole world since 1919 for its custom made car bodies- Elio was a figure of great importance in the history of global automotive design and in the Gran Turismo race scene of the post-war era.
Entrepreneur, racer and gentleman driver, he competed for the first time in Piacenza in 1947, driving a Fiat which had just been re-bodied as a graduation gift from his father. From that point onwards he never stopped developing his beloved Gran Turismos, working on them during the week and then testing them during the weekends. He was amongst the founders of the Milanese Scuderia Sant Ambroeus. He embodied with perfection the style, elegance, and competitive spirit of the Italian gentleman driver of the 'Dolce Vita' era.
In the early 1950s he started developing the world's most desired berlinette GTs. Amongst all of them we fondly remember the Fiat 8V Zagato, which he claimed to be his favourite, the Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ which was often his rival in various races, the legendary Ferrari 250 GTZs, Maserati A6G, Aston Martin DB4 GTZ and many more. He took part in the golden age of competitions raced with vests and helmets with famous characters such as Ascari, Fangio, Galluzzi, Nuvolari, Stagnoli, and others. Enzo Ferrari called him "Zagatino."
Together with his friend Ercole Spada he developed the legendary Alfa Romeo SZ, TZ and TZ2s followed by the elegant Lancia Sports based on Appia, Flavia, Flaminia, and Fulvia chassis. A constant innovator, together with his father Ugo he invented the celebrated double bubble, signature mark of the Milanese brand, the 'Coda Tronca', windows made out of plexiglas and countless other solutions still used on modern vehicles today.
Elio participated in 150 automotive races, winning 82 of them and becoming champion of the GT series a remarkable 5 times. He was victorious in the Targa Florio, eight Coppa Intereuropas, won three first places in the Golden Cup of the Dolomites, and came in first at the Avus circuit in Berlin in 1955.
Promoter of the Milanese concept of minimalism oriented towards functionalist design, Elio defined his Zagatos first and foremost as 'original.' Whoever asked him to synthesize the design spirit of his car bodies, he would reply to them "You see that car? Is it different from all the others? Then it's a Zagato."
Andrea and Marella Zagato, today, in the year of Zagato's 90th anniversary, keep the spirit of the Atelier coachwork alive, a trade that Elio learned from Ugo and promoted throughout his brilliant career.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
POV 1:38PM (9/16/2009)
He's designed some of my favorite cars. I love how he took the standard model and modified it just right. RIP
Reply
mbslrm 1:46PM (9/16/2009)
RIP
Reply
zamafir 1:49PM (9/16/2009)
Wow. very sad. RIP. His designs are by far the most exceptional at any older car gathering.
Reply
Rick C. 3:14PM (9/16/2009)
First Bertone, then Pininfarina, now Zagato. The classic artisan-engineers are all leaving us. Now I can imagine the sadness brought on the world when DaVinci and Michelangelo died. All of that genius, lost forever. What's left but the cold corporate, design by committee style, sprinkled with a little input from the bean counters and lawyers. Very sad indeed.
Reply
Jimmy 2:46PM (9/16/2009)
A life full of auto racing and design. May we all be so blessed.
Rest in peace, Mr. Elio Zagato.
Reply
Bob 3:37PM (9/16/2009)
One of the greats from a truly great era in automotive design and engineering history. You will be sorely missed signore.
Godspeed.
Reply
dukeisduke 3:53PM (9/16/2009)
A truly amazing and talented man, synonymous with great design and heightened performance. Rest in peace, and condolences to the family.
Reply
PumaGTO 4:14PM (9/16/2009)
Even the best have to die someday... At least he will always be rebembered by all pertrolheads around the world for creating some of the geatests cars of all time. Rest in peace, Sir.
Reply
projectdzzae86 7:13PM (9/16/2009)
Oh, what the hell. He can't die! :(
Reply
John Graham 8:00PM (9/16/2009)
RIP Zagato, your name will live on as long as your car designs.
Reply
Avinash machado 12:58AM (9/17/2009)
RIP.
Reply