Ercole Spada

Q: When did Ercole Spada die?

Ercole Spada died on August 3, 2025.

Q: How old was Ercole Spada when they died?

Ercole Spada was 88 years old at the time of death.

Died: August 3, 2025
Age: 88 years

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About Ercole Spada

Ercole Spada, 88, Italian car designer (Alfa Romeo 2600, Volvo GTZ, Ford GT70).

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Full Biography

Ercole Spada (26 July 1937 – 3 August 2025) was an Italian automobile designer. His most notable designs were produced in the 1960s, for the Zagato design studio house, where Spada was chief stylist. During this period some of the most notable sports cars by Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Maserati, as well as Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat and Lancia were clothed by Spada's designs.

Background and early days

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.^[who?] 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
1967 Fiat 125 GTZ
1967 Rover 2000 TCZ
1969 Alfa Romeo Junior Z
1969 Volvo GTZ
1970 Volvo GTZ 3000
1970 Ford GT70
1972 Iso Varedo
1973 Alfa Romeo Scarabeo II
1987 BMW 7 Series (E32)
1988 BMW 5 Series (E34)
1988 Ferrari PPG Indy Pace Car
1988 Fiat Tipo
1989 Lancia Dedra
1990 Fiat Tempra
1992 Alfa Romeo 155
1993 Ferrari FZ93, renamed ES1
1993 Lancia Delta II
1993 Nissan Terrano II
1994 Lancia Kappa
2001 OSCA 2500 GT Dromos
2008 Spada Codatronca

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ
Series I Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.3 S
Lancia Flavia Super Sport
Alfa Romeo Junior Z
BMW 5 Series (E34)
Fiat Tipo (type 160)
Lancia Kappa
Alfa Romeo 155
The Ferrari FZ93 at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed

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16 Verified Trivia Questions About Ercole Spada

Every question below is stored in the archive and checked against Ercole Spada's record and biography. The correct answer and the reasoning behind it are given with each question.

1.In what city was Ercole Spada born?
- A.Turin
- B.Busto ArsizioCorrect
- C.Rome
- D.Milan
Ercole Spada was born in Busto Arsizio on 26 July 1937.
Source: Background and early days
2.In what year did Ercole Spada earn his degree in industrial engineering?
- A.1956Correct
- B.1937
- C.1960
- D.1970
Ercole Spada earned a degree in industrial engineering from Istituto Tecnico Feltrinelli in 1956.
Source: Background and early days
3.When did Ercole Spada join the Zagato design studio house for the first time?
- A.March 1992
- B.July 1970
- C.January 1956
- D.February 1960Correct
Following a military service, Ercole Spada joined Zagato in February 1960.
Source: Background and early days
4.What was the first design created by Ercole Spada for Zagato?
- A.Lancia Fulvia Sport
- B.Aston Martin DB4 GT ZagatoCorrect
- C.Alfa Romeo Junior Z
- D.Ferrari FZ93
The first design created by Ercole Spada for Zagato was the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.
Source: Background and early days
5.Which company did Ercole Spada join in 1970 to become chief designer at the Italian Ghia design house?
- A.BMW
- B.Fiat
- C.Audi
- D.FordCorrect
Ercole Spada joined Ford in 1970 to become chief designer at the Italian Ghia design house.
Source: Background and early days
6.Which BMW series did Ercole Spada create in collaboration with Claus Luthe?
- A.BMW 1-series and BMW 3-series
- B.BMW 7-series and BMW E34 5-seriesCorrect
- C.BMW 8-series and BMW 6-series
- D.BMW 3-series
During his stay with BMW, Ercole Spada created the 7-series and the BMW E34 5-series with Claus Luthe.
Source: BMW section
7.In what year did Ercole Spada return to lead the I.DE.A Institute?
- A.1992
- B.1988
- C.1983Correct
- D.1976
In 1983 Ercole Spada returned to lead an Italian design house, this time I.DE.A Institute.
Source: I.DE.A section
8.Which fellow Italian designer was Ercole Spada in direct competition with while at I.DE.A Institute?
- A.Claus Luthe
- B.Giorgetto GiugiaroCorrect
- C.Battista Farina
- D.Paulo Spada
Ercole Spada competed against Giorgetto Giugiaro for major design contracts from Fiat.
Source: I.DE.A section
9.What car did Ercole Spada design upon returning to Zagato in 1992?
- A.Fiat Tempra
- B.Lancia Dedra
- C.Ferrari FZ93Correct
- D.Alfa Romeo 155
Returning to Zagato in 1992, Ercole Spada designed the Ferrari FZ93.
Source: Zagato section
10.With whom did Ercole Spada create the design house Spadaconcept?
- A.Claus Luthe
- B.An anonymous partner
- C.Giorgetto Giugiaro
- D.Paulo SpadaCorrect
Ercole Spada joined his son, Paulo Spada, to create Spadaconcept.
Source: Spadaconcept section
11.On what date did Ercole Spada die?
- A.26 July 1937
- B.3 August 2025Correct
- C.22 May 2023
- D.17 April 2007
Ercole Spada died on 3 August 2025.
Source: Death section
12.Which of these vehicles was a project developed during Ercole Spada's time at I.DE.A Institute?
- A.BMW 7-series
- B.Daihatsu MoveCorrect
- C.Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
- D.Ford GT70
Projects at I.DE.A Institute included the Alfa Romeo 155 and the Daihatsu Move.
Source: I.DE.A section
13.What was the final age of Ercole Spada at the time of his death?
- A.87
- B.86
- C.89
- D.88Correct
Ercole Spada died on 3 August 2025, at the age of 88.
Source: Death section
14.What car project was designed by Ercole Spada at Ford but failed to enter production?
- A.Ford GT70Correct
- B.Ford Escort
- C.Ford Capri
- D.Ford Mustang
The Ford GT70 was created by Ercole Spada but did not enter production at the last moment.
Source: Background and early days
15.Before joining BMW, where did Ercole Spada have a short stay after leaving Ford?
- A.Lancia
- B.AudiCorrect
- C.Alfa Romeo
- D.Ferrari
After leaving Ford and following a short stay at Audi, Ercole Spada joined BMW's design center.
Source: BMW section
16.What mechanics were used as the basis for Ercole Spada's Ferrari FZ93 design?
- A.Ferrari 512 TRCorrect
- B.Ferrari F40
- C.Ferrari 250 GTO
- D.Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari FZ93 was based on a regular 512 TR mechanics.
Source: Zagato section