The Triumph Company designers
William Krause wrote in his book "Triumph Sports Cars" about Triumph Designers. Here is his findings;
1934 Dolomite Straight Eight - Donald Healey
1946 1800 Roadster - Frank Callaby
1950 TRX Roadster - Walter Belgrove (never in Production)
1952 TR1 - Sir John Black's "team of designers"
1953 TR2 - Ditto
1955 TR3 - Ditto
1958 TR3A - Ditto
1957 TR4 - Giovanni Michelotti
1959 Italia 2000 GT - Alfredo Vignale
1959 Herald - Giovanni Michelotti
1959 Spitfire/GT6 - Giovanni Michelotti
1967 TR6 - Karmann (Gerhart Giesecke)
1970 Stag - Giovanni Michelotti
1974 TR7 - Harris Mann
1980 TR8 - Harris Mann
Below you will find some additional information on some of the various designers.
Giovanni Michelotti (1920-1981)
During the early Fifties, when traditional Italian bodybuilders were in transition from coach building to design consultancy, young Michelotti was amongst the first to put himself on the map as a designer only. His sketches and designs for new body styles were fresh, innovative and at times flamboyant.
He opened his own design studio in Torino in 1949, and started by taking on work for other design houses such as Vignale, Bertone and Ghia. although most of his early creations were put into metal by Alfredo Vignale.
Michelotti served as house designer for Triumph during a long period, from 1957 until mid 70s. He had a reputation for working best under tight schedules, and could come up with a sketch for a whole new car in half an hours time.
He was responsible for many distinctive Triumph designs: Beginning with the TR4, continuing with the Herald saloon, the Herald-derived Spitfire and the GT6. He also designed the small saloons, the 1300, 1500, Toledo and Dolomite. Finally the 2000 and the derived Stag and the very well proportioned Triumph Italia, produced by Vignale.
He also designed trendsetting designs for mass-produced models, such as BMW 700, BMW 1800 and 2002, Renault Alpine A110 and the Daf 44/55.
For more information, see www.michelotti.com
