Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOGRAPHS: PININFARINA / FERRARI / LA ESCUDERÍA
With the death of Aldo Brovarone, one of the great Italian designers has been lost. Although we are not talking about Sergio Pininfarina or Giorgetto Giugaro, The truth is that without the pencils of this Piedmontese, the evolution of the Italian car style cannot be understood. An icon of key car responsible design like the Dino 206GT or the Peugeot 504. But above all, an endless number of essential prototypes for the evolution of Pininfarina. Not surprisingly, Brovarone spent 36 years at the brand, many of them as chief designer.
In fact, taking a look at his creations, we realize that they very well summarize the evolution of automobile design in Italy. For instance; his early work is very reminiscent of legendary bodybuilders like Vignale with the Ferrari 212. Something we see in the Cysitalia Type33, possibly his first major design. However, Aldo Brovarone he was creating his own style where an aerodynamic taste is reflected with long and flowing lines. Just like the Ferrari 365 GT 2 + 2 long-tailed.
An evolution that in the seventies adapted to the taste for the straight line adopted after the revolution of "Wedge design". The result of this are such interesting prototypes as the Alfa Romeo Eagle or the Peugeot 104ZS. Both launched after having risen with those who, without a doubt, are its two most important designs: those of the Dino Berlinetta Speciale and the Peugeot 504 Coupé. For all these reasons, the loss of Aldo Brovarone on October 12 at the age of 94 is the end of a career designing some of the essential bodies in the history of motorsport.
ALDO BROVARONE. ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND FERRARI
Although the hardships of World War II made a young Aldo Brovarone had to dedicate himself to designing refrigeratorsFortunately, our protagonist entered the automobile industry in the late XNUMXs. He did it in a strange way for an Italian, since his first job as a bodybuilder was at AUTOAR (Argentine Automotive). However, this company was the foundation of Piero Dusio, Director of Cisitalia, who claimed the return of Brovarone to Turin from Buenos Aires.
Already in his country, he signed designs such as the Cisitalia 33DF Volaradente. A wonder that opened the doors of Pininfarina in 1952. Here began the best and most extensive professional chapter of Aldo Brovarone. Working as an assistant to Francesco Salomone and Franco Martinengo, his hand participated in such historic designs as the Ferrari 250 LM or the Maserati A6 GCS. Anyway, his best moments came when Pininfarina entrusted him with creating unique models. This is how the Ferrari 375 MM was born "Ingrid Bergman"or Alfa Romeo 6C 3000CM Superflow of 1960.
A basic Alpha to understand the evolution of… Ferrari! Since this prototype set the lines of future very stylized horses. All specially designed for the American market, such as the Ferrari 500 Superfast, 400 Superamerica and 365 GT 2 + 2.
Something very important in the history of Ferrari, although not as important as the presentation in 1965 of the Dino Berlinetta Speciale. The prototype that marked the outlines of the future 206GT. A true revolution for the Maranello house, which with Dino wanted to launch a private label that, finally, ended up being the inspiration for its 308, 328, 348, F355, 360 Modena… The entire V8 saga.
FROM THE CURVE TO THE STRAIGHT. ALDO BROVARONE IN THE SEVENTY
The lines of the Dino 206GT couldn't be more sinuous and fluid. A quasi sensual prodigy that consolidated over time. The best example is that today it is one of the most valued Maranello creations, while in the sixties it was born as a subsidiary brand since Enzo Ferrari did not deign to put its emblem on a modest six-cylinder.
For us, this is the most important design by Aldo BrovaroneIn addition to being one of the last in which the muscular curves of the sixties prevailed over the straights that defined the design during the seventies.
In that sense, the car that best represents this idea of seventies rectitude is the Lancia Gamma Coupe. A perfect example of the brand's identity, combining elegance with technological audacity, represented here by a curious four-cylinder boxer engine.
Another of the designs in which Aldo Brovarone recorded his conception of geometric bodies, reaching the highest point in this fashion, was his eccentric Peugeot 104ZS. A small barchetta with a very original look; A real design exercise after the enormous success of another Peugeot.
And, beyond his spectacular Ferrari, Aldo Brovanore is also responsible for the Peugeot 504 Coupé. An unmitigated beauty that, to this day, remains arguably the most visually alluring car in the entire history of the brand (with the permission of the 406 Coupe).
Another achievement only available to design geniuses like our protagonist, who, still elderly and already retired from Pininfarina, continued to collaborate with Stola in the customization of different vehicles. In short, geniuses are like this: from the cradle to the grave.
P.S: Furthermore, Brovarone was part of the Ferrari F40 design team. In fact, the design of its unmistakable spoiler is yours. Well, and if this were not enough, it must be said that the McLaren F1 is based on a design of his own.
