In 1992, the McLaren F1 was unveiled as the fastest road-legal car in the world. Its unique three-seat design originated from a sketch Gordon Murray created during his college years in the 1960s. His primary focus was on reducing weight and enhancing the tactile driving experience.
Carlos Ghosn enlisted Mizuno-san to work on the R35 GT-R. Leveraging his detailed approach honed in Group C endurance racing, Mizuno-san set out to create a supercar accessible to the masses. He had been with Nissan since 1972.
In the 1990s, Simon Saunders, with experience at Porsche, Aston, and GM, made his vision of a ‘new Lotus 7’ a reality. In 1999, he launched the Atom, a vehicle aimed squarely at the rising track day scene with its focus on raw performance.
Frustrated with clutch problems in his Ferraris, Ferruccio Lamborghini ventured into sports car manufacturing. The V12-powered 350GT debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, marking the beginning of Lamborghini's storied history.
On a train ride in 1997, Ferdinand Piëch conceptualized an 18-cylinder engine. After an unsuccessful attempt to acquire Rolls-Royce, he purchased Bugatti, ultimately leading to the creation of the 16-cylinder Veyron in Molsheim.
Piëch envisioned a 'one liter car' that could travel 100 km on a single liter of fuel. His vision materialized with the diesel-hybrid XL1, boasting a 313mpg WLTP rating and showcasing Piëch's relentless pursuit of innovation.
During the 1956 Suez Crisis, Britain needed an efficient vehicle. Alec Issigonis returned to BMC and designed the Mini. Compact yet spacious, thanks to its transverse engine and front-wheel-drive layout, the Mini became a cultural icon.
Dante Giocosa, who joined Fiat in 1927, was the mastermind behind the influential 500 Topolino and Nuova 500. Inspired by the Mini, he developed the 128, setting a new standard for front-wheel-drive vehicles.
After retiring from racing, Carroll Shelby identified the need for an affordable American V8 sports car. Collaborating with AC, he fitted a 4.3-liter Ford V8 into the Ace, revolutionizing sports car racing.
From Gordon Murray's precision with the McLaren F1 to Carroll Shelby's ingenuity with the Cobra, these visionaries turned sketches and ideas into automotive legends, forever transforming the car landscape.
