Ercole Spada

Spada was born in Busto Arsizio on 26 July 1937. He earned a degree in industrial engineering from Istituto Tecnico Feltrinelli in 1956. Following a military service, he joined Zagato in February 1960. The first design created by Spada for Zagato was the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. One example of Spada's work was the Mazda MX-3, which aimed to capture the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ design, according to its creators. Shortly before leaving Zagato, Spada designed the Alfa Romeo Junior Z, as well as the 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 Ford GT70, which did not enter production at the last moment. ==BMW==

After leaving Ford and following a short stay at Audi, Spada joined BMW's design center as chief stylist in 1976. During his stay with BMW, Spada created two major all-new designs with Claus Luthe, the 7-series (1986–1994), and the BMW E34 5-series (1988–1996). ==I.DE.A==

In 1983 Spada returned to lead an Italian design house, this time I.DE.A Institute, where he designed a string of compact and luxury cars, for Fiat – the Tipo and Tempra siblings, the Lancia Dedra and Delta II, and the Kappa. Other projects included the Alfa Romeo 155 and the Daihatsu Move. During his stay in I.DE.A Institute, Spada competed and won over major design contracts from Fiat, putting him in direct competition with his fellow Italian designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. ==Zagato==

Returning to Zagato in 1992, Spada designed the Ferrari FZ93, based on a regular 512 TR mechanics, as well as other designs. ==Spadaconcept==

Spada continued to work as a designer. He joined his son, Paulo Spada, to create Spadaconcept, a new design house aimed at automotive and industrial design. ==Death==

Spada died on 3 August 2025, at the age of 88. ==Notable designs==

• 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato • 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ • 1960 O.S.C.A 1600 GTZ • 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ2 Coda Tronca • 1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ • 1962 Lancia Flavia Sport • 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ • 1963 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport • 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 • 1965 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ • 1965 Lancia Fulvia Sport • 1967 Lancia Flavia Super Sport • 1993 Lancia Delta II • 1993 Nissan Terrano II • 1994 Lancia Kappa • 2001 OSCA 2500 GT Dromos • 2008 Spada Codatronca File:1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato - fvr.jpg|Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato File:Alfa-Romeo Giulia TZ 1 000 000 1963-1965 backright 2012-04-13 A.jpg|Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ File:1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ - black - fvr2.jpg|Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ File:Chelsea Auto Legends 2012 (7948692734).jpg|Series I Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.3 S File:Lancia Flavia Super Sport (18095192871).jpg|Lancia Flavia Super Sport File:Bonhams - The Paris Sale 2012 - Alfa Romeo Junior Z - 1975 - 012.jpg|Alfa Romeo Junior Z File:BMW E34 520i.jpg|BMW 5 Series (E34) File:1994 Fiat Tipo S IE 1.4 Front.jpg|Fiat Tipo (type 160) File:Lancia Kappa rear 20110130.jpg|Lancia Kappa File:Alfa Romeo 155 (photo by Serge Zinnsee).jpg|Alfa Romeo 155 File:Zagato FZ93.jpg|The Ferrari FZ93 at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed ==References==