Car Designer of the Century

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The Car Designer of the Century was an international award given to the most influential car designer of the 20th century. The election process was overseen by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation.

Contents

The winner, Giorgetto Giugiaro, was announced at an awards gala on December 18, 1999 in Las Vegas.

The selection process

The process for deciding the Car Designer of the Century started with the list of candidates below.

The candidates
NameNotable works
Uwe Bahnsen Ford Taunus, Ford Sierra
Nuccio Bertone
Flaminio Bertoni Citroën Traction Avant, Citroën DS, Citroën 2CV, Citroën Ami
Gordon Buehrig Cord 810
Jean Bugatti Bugatti Atlantic
Wayne Cherry Vauxhall SRV, Pontiac Solstice, Cadillac Sixteen
Harley Earl Cadillac LaSalle
Virgil Exner Chrysler 300
Leonardo Fioravanti Ferrari Daytona, Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer
Pietro Frua Maserati
Tom Gale Plymouth Prowler, Dodge Viper, Dodge Stealth
Marcello Gandini Lamborghini Miura, Lamborghini Countach, Fiat X1/9, Lancia Stratos, Citroën BX
Giorgetto Giugiaro Maserati Ghibli, Audi 80, Alfa Romeo Sprint, Alfa Romeo Alfasud, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Scirocco, Fiat 850 Sport Spider, Fiat Uno, Lotus Esprit, Lancia Delta, DMC DeLorean, Lexus GS
Patrick le Quément Renault Twingo, Renault Scénic, Renault Initiale Concept
Raymond Loewy Hupmobile, Studebaker Avanti
Giovanni Michelotti Triumph Herald, Triumph Spitfire, Triumph TR4, BMW 700, Renault Alpine A110, DAF 55
Bill Mitchell Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Corvair
Robert Opron Alfa Romeo SZ, Citroën SM, Citroën GS, Citroën CX, Renault Fuego, Renault 9, Renault 11, Renault 25
Battista Pininfarina
Mario Revelli di Beaumont Simca 1000
Bruno Sacco Mercedes Benz S-Class (W126 series), Mercedes Benz 190 (W201 series)
Sixten Sason Saab 93, Saab 99
Ercole Spada Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Alfa Romeo TZ, Osca GT, Lancia Fulvia Sport
Jack Telnack Ford Mustang
Jan Wilsgaard Volvo Amazon (P1200/120), Volvo 144, Volvo 240, Volvo 850

The next step was for a jury of 132 professional automotive journalists, from 33 countries, under the presidency of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, to reduce the list to 5, which they did, and the result was announced in November 1999. Finally the 5 were ranked by the jury and the overall winner was selected.

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