Carrozzeria designs : Michelotti

25 June 2011 Keith Adams 5

Michelotti

Michelotti’s long standing association with Triumph started in 1956 when, during the development of their new small car (at the time, known as Zobo), they were approached by a jobbing Italian stylist, who offered to produce a body style for this car for the sum of £3000.

Rather bemused, Harry Webster accepted, and three months later the new and well-prepared prototype duly appeared. This model would form the basis of the Triumph Herald, and needless to say, Webster was so impressed he used the designer, Giovanni Michelotti, to design all of the company’s subsequent cars (with the notable exception of the Karmann-styled TR6). As with the BMC-Pininfarina link, the Triumph-Michelotti partnership did not survive for long in the new BLMC regime.

Triumph stag prototype
Michelotti's first proposal for what was to become the Triumph Stag. This model was designed by Giovanni Michelotti in Italy in 1965, following the work that the Italian styling house had already completed for Triumph (Herald, 2000 and the forthcoming 1300/Toledo models). Harry Webster had donated a Triumph 2000 for Michelotti to use for a basis for this car, but when the Triumph chief saw the prototype, he snapped it up for himself and had the car returned to Triumph for evaluation. It never did stand on the Michelotti stand at the 1966 Turin Motor Show. The final car did, however cause a splash when it was launched in 1970.
Morris Marina prototype
This proposal for the Marina (ADO28) was favoured by Harry Webster. It was eventually turned down because of the fear of it costing too much to build.
Michelotti Triumph prototype
This is Michelotti's proposal for the late 1960s Triumph Lynx project. The name was later revived for a proposed fastback version of the TR7, but neither car made it to the showroom.
Michelotti's proposal for the Rover P10. This project eventually led to creation of the Rover SD1.
Michelotti's proposal for the Rover P10. This project eventually led to creation of the Rover SD1.
ADO70 was a Mini-based sports car proposal commissioned in 1970.
ADO70 was a Mini-based sports car proposal commissioned in 1970.
The 1972 Leyland-Crompton electric car prototype, with Michelotti body on Mini underpinnings.
The 1972 Leyland-Crompton electric car prototype, with Michelotti body on Mini underpinnings.
This was Michelotti's proposal for project ADO74, BLMC's first serious attempt at developing a car to replace the Mini.
This was Michelotti's proposal for project ADO74, BLMC's first serious attempt at developing a car to replace the Mini.
Keith Adams

Keith Adams

Editor and creator AROnline at AROnline
Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.

Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...

Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
Keith Adams

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5 Comments

  1. I am trying to contact EDGARDO MICHELOTTI to try and buy copies of some of the drawings and photographs he said he has in the Michelotti archives but I have not had any replies to my emails since 2009
    Do you know what has happened to him or the archives ?
    Kind regards
    Kelvin Smith

    Reply

  3. I have recently had a email from Edgardo–apologising for the long delay in replying to me –he has been very busy and has had some family problems -ill health of a close family member .
    Be patient and I am sure he will be in touch
    All the Best
    Kelvin Smith
    May 2014

    Reply

  4. Hi To all who have had no luck in contacting Edgardo .
    I have heard from a third party that Edgardo is alive and well but is very busy and has not had time to go through and catalogue the vast amount stuff that he inherited from his father so I guess we will all have to be patient
    All the best
    Kelvin Smith

    Reply

  5. Between his involvement with Bullet/Lynx and later on Broadside (the latter of which influenced the Reliant Scimitar SS1), did Michelotti produce a counter-proposal to Harris Mann’s TR7 design or ways to improve the styling prior to Broadside?

    Reply

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