Ercole Spada

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About Ercole Spada

Ercole Spada (born July 26, 1937) is an Italian automobile designer. His most notable designs were made in the 1960s, for the Zagato design studio house, where Spada was chief stylist. During this period some of the most notable sports cars by Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, as well as Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat and Lancia were clothed by Spada's designs.

Spada earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Istituto tecnico Feltrinelli in 1956. Following a military service, Spada joined Zagato, in February 1960. The first design created by Spada for Zagato was the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Many avantgarde yet instantly-classic designs were to follow, soon becoming cornerstones of automotive design. Spada's designs were acknowledged as seminal by his fellow designers as well as by generetions of new designers; One example of the attraction of Spada's work was that of the Mazda MX-3, which aimed to capture the magic of the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTZ design, according to its creators. Shortly before leaving Zagato, Spada designed one of the most modern looking cars of the era, the Alfa Romeo Junior Z, as well as the popular and dramatic Lancia Fulvia Sport.

Spada joined Ford in 1970 to become chief designer at the Italian Ghia design house. This led to the creation of the ill-fated Ford GT70, which did not enter production at the last moment.

After leaving Ford and following a short stay in Audi, Spada joined BMW design center as chief stylist in 1976. During his stay with BMW, Spada created two major all-new designs, the BMW E32 7-series (1987–1994), and the BMW E34 5-series (1989–1996). Both embraced similar classic yet progressive lines, contributing to the success of the German company.

In 1983 Spada returns to lead an Italian design house, this time I.DE.A Institute, where he designs a strings of compact and luxury cars, for Fiat – the groundbreaking Tipo and Tempra siblings, the Lancia Dedra and Delta II as well as the Kappa. Other projects include the Alfa Romeo 155 and the Daihatsu Move. During his stay in I.DE.A Institute, Spada had competed and won over major design contracts from Fiat, putting him in direct competition with his fellow Italian design maverick, Giorgetto Giugiaro, born on the same year and on the same month as Spada.

Returning to Zagato in 1992, Spada brought with him new creative energy, which led to the introduction of the Ferrari FZ93, based on a regular 512 TR mechanics, as well as other notabe designs.

Currently, Spada continues to work as a designer. He has joined his son, Paulo Spada, to create Spadaconcept, a new design house aimed at automotive and industrial design.

The most popular cars designed by Ercole Spada:

Concept / Car / (Production)

1960 Bristol GT 407 Z
1960 Aston Martin DB4 GTZ
1960 OSCA 1600 GTZ
1961 Lancia Appia Coupe-Sport Zagato
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ coda tronca
1961 BMC Mini Cat
1961 Bristol GTZ 5.2
1962 Lancia Flaminia Sport Tubolare
1962 Lancia Flavia Sport
1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ
1963 Alfa Romeo TZ
1964 Hillmann Zimp
1964 FIAT 850 Z
1964 Lancia Flaminia 2800 Super Sport
1965 Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.2 alluminio
1965 OSCA MV 1700 GTZ coupé e spider
1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2
1965 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroruote
1965 Quattroruote Bikini
1966 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ
1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Gran Sport *
1967 FIAT 125 GTZ
1967 Rover 2000 TCZ
1968 Lancia Flavia Sport Corsa
1968 Lancia Fulvia Spider
1968 Alfa Romeo Junior Z 1300
1969 Volvo GTZ 2000
1969 FIAT Zanzara
1969 Lancia Flavia Super Sport
1970 Ford GT70
1972 Iso Rivolta Varedo
1986 BMW E32 Serie 7
1987 Ferrari PPG (telaio 76390)
1988 BMW E34 Serie 5
1988 FIAT Tipo
1989 Lancia Dedra
1990 FIAT Tempra e Tempra Stationwagon
1991 Alfa Romeo 155 (1992-1998)
1993 Lancia Dedra Stationwagon
1993 Lancia Nuova Delta
1993 Alfa Romeo 155 TI.Z
1993 Nissan Terrano II
1993 Ferrari Testarossa FZ 93
2001 OSCA 2500 GT
2007 TS Codatronca

Ercole Spada Group at Flickr

The objective of this group is to provide enthusiasts of car design one single photographic overview of all Ercole Spada's creations from around the world.

Please join and submit your beautiful photos.

http://www.alfa155club.nl/drupal/nl/ErcoleSpada