Bruno Sacco, who was born and raised in Italy, ascended through the ranks at then-Daimler-Benz and played a pivotal role in shaping some of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic designs. He passed away on September 19 in Sindelfingen, Germany, at the age of 90.
Sacco was born in Udine, Italy, close to the Slovenian border, on November 12, 1933. The son of an Italian infantry battalion commander, he showed a strong interest in geometry and machinery early on. As reported by the New York Times, his love for cars ignited during his teenage years when he encountered the 1947 Studebaker Champion Starlight coupe, a vehicle noted for its aviation-inspired design.
“It significantly influenced my future,” Sacco recalled in a 1998 interview with the newspaper. “It was unlike anything else at that time, and ultimately, it proved to be a remarkable design.”
Sacco went on to attend the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. While studying, he gained practical experience in automotive model production through work with the renowned coachbuilder Ghia. After finishing his degree, he continued his collaboration with Ghia and also worked with Pininfarina.
In 1957, he met Karl Wilfert, the head of body testing at Mercedes-Benz. Although they first met in Turin, Wilfert was based in Sindelfingen, approximately 400 miles north. Wilfert was in the process of establishing a new Stylistics department and had already recruited notable designers like Friedrich Geiger and Paul Bracq. Within a year, Sacco joined as the second member of the team.
Sacco noted that the world champion motorsports cars of the mid-‘50s “were 50 percent of the reason I came to Mercedes-Benz,” he told the NY Times. “The other 50 percent was the 300 SL Gullwing coupe.” This iconic model, designed by Geiger, was part of what drew him to the company.
He initially planned to spend a short stint in Sindelfingen, perhaps two to three years. However, fate intervened when he met the love of his life in Germany, settled down, and ended up staying for four decades. One might say Cupid played a significant role in his journey.
At Mercedes-Benz, Sacco initially focused on pre-body development before becoming the head of the Body Design and Dimensional Concept department in 1970. Under his leadership, the firm developed sought-after models like the Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100) and the 230 SL “Pagoda” (W113). He also played a key role in bringing to life concept vehicles featuring Wankel engines, such as the C111 and C111-II, along with the hugely successful W123 series.
In 1975, Sacco earned the title of Oberingenieur (chief engineer) and succeeded Geiger in leading the Stylistics department. His first project was to create a wagon version of the W123, which debuted in 1977 as Mercedes-Benz’s first-ever station wagon. Under Sacco’s guidance, the company’s design language evolved to become more expressive and bold, combining timeless elegance with modern aerodynamics. He also played a crucial role in establishing a cohesive global design philosophy, ultimately enhancing the Stylistics group into a specialized department.
Upon his retirement on March 31, 1999, Sacco’s design influence was evident across the entire Mercedes-Benz product line, with his signature appearing on every truck, bus, and car produced since 1979. He took particular pride in the model 126 series of the S-Class, claiming it was “the best thing I have done for Mercedes-Benz.” Surprisingly, even in retirement, Sacco owned a dark blue 560 SEC in his garage.
Bruno Sacco leaves an enduring legacy not just at Mercedes-Benz but also within the broader automotive industry. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Udine in 2002 and was inducted into both the Automotive Hall of Fame (2006) in Dearborn, Michigan, and the European Automotive Hall of Fame (2007) in Geneva.
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