Paul Breuer

Paul Breuer was born in Verviers, Belgium, on March 7, 1946, the eldest of five children. His early life was filled with a deep love for cars and design, sparked by his father, Albert, a carpenter, and his mother, Marcelle, a florist. Breuer’s childhood included playing with toy cars, building intricate structures for them, and drawing designs on any surface available, often to his mother’s dismay. His first significant contact with cars was when his family experienced a car accident before his birth, which left a lasting impression on him.

His passion for cars grew through his exposure to various family vehicles, such as a F.N. van, a Willys Jeep Station Wagon, and a Jeepster convertible. These vehicles left vivid memories of adventure and excitement, especially when his father drove the Jeepster with the top down. Additionally, Breuer attended the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, which further fueled his interest in racing and automotive design.

At the age of 20, after completing his high school studies, Breuer pursued Fine Arts at the Institut Supérieur des Beaux-Arts Saint Luc in Liège. In 1966, he sought an internship with an Italian coachbuilder and was invited by OSI in Turin. After his internship, Breuer was hired by OSI, where he began his career as an automotive designer.

In 1968, following OSI’s closure, Breuer joined Fiat’s Centro Stile, where he contributed to various projects. That same year, he married Annette Vassen, and they settled in Grugliasco, near Fiat. Their first child, Anne-Cécile, was born in 1969, followed by Catherine in 1971.

In 1972, Breuer moved to Ford’s Design Center in Bruino, but shortly after, Ford acquired Ghia, and Breuer joined the renowned Ghia studio in Turin. Over the years, Breuer worked with several prestigious companies, including Open Design, where he was chief designer from 1978 to 1985. In 1986, he started his freelance career, collaborating with various manufacturers and contributing to both prototype designs and production vehicles. His extensive experience in car design has made him a significant figure in the automotive design world.