Car Designer of the Century


The Car Designer of the Century was an international award given to the most influential car designer of the 20th century. The election process was overseen by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation.
The winner, Giorgetto Giugiaro, was announced at an awards gala on December 18, 1999 in Las Vegas.

The selection process

The process for deciding the Car Designer of the Century started with the list of candidates below.
NameNotable works
Uwe BahnsenFord Taunus, Ford Sierra
Nuccio BertoneAlfa Romeo BAT, Alfa Romeo Montreal
Flaminio BertoniCitroën Traction Avant, Citroën DS, Citroën 2CV, Citroën Ami
Gordon BuehrigCord 810
Jean BugattiBugatti Atlantic
Wayne CherryVauxhall SRV, Pontiac Solstice, Cadillac Sixteen
Harley EarlCadillac LaSalle
Virgil ExnerChrysler 300
Leonardo FioravantiFerrari Daytona, Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer
Pietro FruaMaserati
Tom GalePlymouth Prowler, Dodge Viper, Dodge Stealth
Marcello GandiniLamborghini Miura, Lamborghini Countach, Fiat X1/9, Lancia Stratos, Citroën BX
Giorgetto GiugiaroMaserati Ghibli, Audi 80, Alfa Romeo Sprint, Alfa Romeo Alfasud, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Scirocco, Fiat 850 Sport Spider, Fiat Uno, Lotus Esprit, Lancia Delta, DMC DeLorean, Lexus GS
Patrick le QuémentRenault Twingo, Renault Scénic, Renault Initiale Concept
Raymond LoewyHupmobile, Studebaker Avanti
Giovanni MichelottiTriumph Herald, Triumph Spitfire, Triumph TR4, BMW 700, Renault Alpine A110, DAF 55
Bill MitchellChevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Corvair
Robert OpronCitroën SM, Citroën GS, Citroën CX, Renault Fuego, Renault 9, Renault 11, Renault 25
Battista Pininfarina
Mario Revelli di BeaumontSimca 1000
Bruno SaccoMercedes Benz S-Class, Mercedes Benz 190
Sixten SasonSaab 93, Saab 99
Ercole SpadaAston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Alfa Romeo TZ, Osca GT, Lancia Fulvia Sport
Jack TelnackFord Mustang
Jan WilsgaardVolvo Amazon, Volvo 144, Volvo 240, Volvo 850

The next step was for a jury of 132 professional automotive journalists, from 33 countries, under the presidency of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, to reduce the list to 5, which they did, and the result was announced in November 1999. Finally the 5 were ranked by the jury and the overall winner was selected.