Federico Formenti

Federico Formenti, though often overshadowed by more prominent figures in automotive history, was undeniably one of the most talented car designers of the 20th century. He is the creative force behind many of the masterpieces attributed to Carrozzeria Touring, the Milanese coachbuilder renowned for its timeless designs and innovative “Superleggera” body construction technique.

Established in 1926 by Felice Bianchi Anderloni, Touring gained fame in 1936 with its patented “superlight” construction, which became the cornerstone of the company’s success. After WWII, leadership passed to Anderloni’s son, Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, a cultured figure with a passion for cars but lacking design expertise. The true visionary behind Touring’s acclaimed creations, including the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 “Villa d’Este,” Maserati 3500 GT, and Aston Martin DB4, was Federico Formenti. Despite his brilliance, Formenti’s reserved nature allowed Carlo Felice to take credit for many designs, further obscuring Formenti’s legacy.

During Touring’s golden era, Formenti’s work shaped some of the most graceful automobiles ever made, but by the 1960s, the company faced financial struggles. Investments in a new production facility and the failure of key projects, such as the Sunbeam Venezia, contributed to Touring’s bankruptcy in 1966.

Following this downturn, Formenti joined Alfa Romeo, where his expertise proved invaluable. As part of the “Centro Stile” design team, Formenti not only contributed to landmark projects like the 1972 Alfetta saloon but also mentored younger designers, earning their admiration for his exceptional skill and humility. His dedication to his craft was legendary, as illustrated by the story of his overnight creation of critical drawings for the Alfetta’s type approval—an act that cemented his reputation as a “one-man design studio.”

Formenti’s humility and preference for working behind the scenes led to his relative obscurity, but his influence on automotive design remains profound. His story is a testament to the unsung heroes of design, whose contributions often remain in the shadows yet form the backbone of iconic creations.