Michelotto Biography
Giovanni Michelotti was born in 1921 in Turin and, at the age of just 15, he began working as an apprentice at the Farina factories, carrying out the role of apprentice helper in the design department. After surviving the war, he joined Serafino Allemano's workshop. However, in 1949 he decided to take on the challenge of a career as a freelance designer, opening his own design studio. His prolific collaboration with Carrozzeria Vignale led to the creation of around 150 Ferraris, including some immortal masterpieces such as the 340 Mexico for the 1952 Carrera Panamericano, the 212 Export Spider for the Marzotto brothers in 1951 and the timeless lines of the 250 GT (s/n 0359) for Liliane de Rethy, wife of King Leopold of Belgium in 1954. We can also include wonderful examples such as the "Demon Rouge" on Fiat OttoVu mechanics, exhibited at the Turin Expo in 1956. Michelotti was probably one of the most prolific automotive designers, but above all he was one of the first examples of freelance designers, who chose not to tie himself to any manufacturer or body shop, thus freely expressing his creative genius. It is said that in the early 1950s he rejected the offer to become director of the General Motors Style Center in Detroit to preserve his freedom of expression. His freedom was expressed extraordinarily prolifically at the 1954 Turin Motor Show, where as many as 40 world premieres were the result of his inspiration. In an era in which no technological aid existed and the stylist only had pencils, paints and a few rulers at his disposal, the cars he left behind enhance the artistic dimension of the character. Talent, dedication to work and speed of project execution were Giovanni Michelotti's strengths. It is said that after a briefing with the customers, he invited them to have a coffee at the nearest bar and, upon their return, he already had a sketch of the requested car ready. Probably only his reserved character prevented him from receiving, at the time, the recognition he deserved, but with the passing of the years and the evolution of the role of the designer, these have been deservedly attributed to him.
