Over a career marked by contributions to some of the most recognisable automotive designs of all time, Giovanni Michelotti deserves legendary status as one of the most celebrated car creators ever.

Growing up in Turin during Italy’s inter-war years, Michelotti came to prominence as a designer while the country scaled up its industrial effort and transitioned to post-war prosperity, set against a backdrop of an explosion in popularity for the motor car.

His trade was in demand as Michelotti found work with legendary design houses including Allemano, Bertone, Ghia, Vignale, and more—all the while sculpting iconic creations for marques including Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, and Maserati.

Aside from Michelotti’s work with Italy’s most famous brands, the designer had a hand in many important cars made on English shores.

The Italian was responsible for many of Triumph’s best-known cars further to undertaking many varied projects for British Leyland.

Michelotti’s involvement with one par...