Posted on March 17, 2024
Illustration by Kasiq
Ask any elite athlete or entertainer about how they got inspired in the beginning, and you’re likely to hear another famous name that influenced their trajectory to stardom. LeBron had Jordan, Bono had Bowie, and Streep quoted De Niro. The same goes for automotive design. Here, we asked the individuals responsible (in whole or in part) for poster-worthy cars from the Ferrari Testarossa to the McLaren F1 to the Bugatti Mistral: Which models have served as your artistic muses? While you’ll recognize a number of iconic names on this list — the ’67 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale was actually nominated twice — some unexpected choices are sure to surprise.
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1932 Ford Model B
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed by: Edsel Ford
Nominated by: Michelle Christensenhead of design at Karma Automotive, leads the team responsible for the second-generation Acura NSX
The reason: “My dad got a ’32 Ford hot rod when I was about 10 and that’s when I really started following him around the garage and learning. The simplicity of the ’32 is what I admire most. It’s amazing to see how people have modified it over the generations to make it their own unique creation – it’s almost like a blank canvas for an artist, while maintaining one of the most iconic automotive shapes of all time. I also had my first design experience with this car. A family friend and pin maker allowed me to ‘design’ the stripes.’
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1970 Ferrari 512S Modulo
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed by: Paolo Martin
Nominated by: Ian Cameronformer design director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, responsible for the Phantom Coupé, the first generation Ghost and the Dawn Drophead Coupé
The reason: “The Modulo ’70 simply abandoned all possible automotive expectations while still delivering a believable four-wheeled ‘vehicle’ – even if it’s undoubtedly more Pininfarina than Ferrari.” The sheer credibility that this unique gesture gave to Italian coachwork in an era of exclusive concepts is immeasurable and represented a high level that has never been replaced. It was one of those unexpected shots in the dark that, even if it never spawned even a vaguely similar series, was so relatably ‘right’ in both name and form that it never left our minds.”
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1966 Lamborghini Miura
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed by: Marcello Gandini
Nominated by: Ralph Gilleschief designer of Stellantis, who influenced the design of its second generation Dodge Viper
The reason: “Every time I see this vehicle on the road, I have to stop and admire it
his low and provocative presence. Once one of the fastest cars ever made, it celebrates performance and style. Its pop-up headlights give it a slightly animated personality that’s unexpected for a serious performance car. I like how the hood and shoulder line blend into the top of the door and ultimately frame the scoops that are adjacent to the side windows. The rear of the car has a decisive cut, which is a theme we continue to use today to manage aerodynamics and stability at high speed.” -
1993 Porsche Boxster Concept
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed by: Grant Larson
Nominated by: Half Borkerthead of design, Automobili Lamborghini SpA, responsible for Lamborghini’s third millennium, the Urus and the revolution
The reason: “The Porsche Boxster concept has fascinated me since I was young and while I was studying at university with the aim of becoming a designer. This Porsche continues to inspire me not only with its style, but also with being a symbol of the motivation of the team behind it, and has captured the spirit of James Dean and the beginning of Porsche from the RS60 Spyder 2. Indeed, this model profoundly influenced my sketches from this period.”
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1974 VW Golf MK1
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed by: Giorgio Giugiaro
Nominated by: Ian Callumformer Chief Designer at TWR Design, former Jaguar Design Director and co-founder of Callum, responsible for the Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type
The reason: “The Golf has an intelligent and clean design that has rarely been surpassed. It was quite controversial at the time: it epitomized Giugiaro’s origami approach, but achieved a subtlety that resonated with those who appreciated his innovation – those who got it, got it. It has fantastic proportions and is probably one of the best specimens in its class. The dogleg graphic on the C-pillar was a stroke of genius. Then, with bigger wheels and a lower and wider stance, giving it more strength, the GTI made an already outstanding car even better.”
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Red Bull X2010
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed by: Adrian Newey
Nominated by: Frank Haledesign director, Bugatti Rimac, responsible for Bugatti’s Chiron, Divo and Mistral as senior exterior designer under Achim Anscheidt
The reason: “I’m really impressed with Adrian Newey’s approach to the design of the Red Bull X2010, his incredible understanding of aerodynamics, chassis balance and packing all the components in the most compact way possible, without compromise. I had a 1:18 scale model of this car, and what’s really not published is the floor: it has this spindle shape with two funnels for the ground effects — a fan car. It has affected the way I look at a new hypercar or sports car. I want to see the floor before the exterior. I want to know how it works.”
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Alfa Romeo type
Image Credit: Illustration by Kasiq
Designed B: Franco Scaglione
Nominated by: Gordon Murrayformer design director of McLaren Cars and founder of Gordon Murray Automotive, responsible for the McLaren F1 and GMA T.50
The reason: “With its roots in motorsport, the Alfa 33 Stradale is now refined for performance – highlighted by its emotional aerodynamic shape and perfect visual balance. I love how its styling is so light yet communicates so much about the car’s capabilities. Wherever you look at the 33 Stradale, it celebrates elegant engineering-led design.”
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