Ultimo: Giovanni Michelotti’s Final Automotive Masterpiece

Maestro Works - In the golden age of automotive design, there were names that stirred admiration among car enthusiasts and professionals alike—names that evoked a sense of bold creativity, technical brilliance, and timeless aesthetics. One of those names was Giovanni Michelotti. His design signature adorned everything from exotic sports cars to practical utility vehicles, blending flair with function in a way few could rival. While his studio officially began in 1959, Michelotti's influence had already begun shaping the visual identity of major brands. And though his life was cut short in 1980, his legacy didn't simply fade into the background. In fact, one final, extraordinary creation quietly carried his spirit into the next chapter—the Ultimo.

The Michelotti Lola Ultimo, known as Giovanni Michelotti’s final car creation, was completed by his son Edgardo after his passing in 1980. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)

The Ultimo, often referred to as Michelotti's final automotive work, was far from ordinary. Its name alone suggests a sense of closure, a swan song from one of Italy’s most prolific designers. The car was reportedly commissioned by a Canadian entrepreneur and eventually made its debut at the 1981 Geneva Auto Salon—over a year after Michelotti’s death. By that time, the hands shaping the car belonged to Edgardo Michelotti, Giovanni’s son, who steered the project to completion under the banner of Michelotti Studio. 

The Michelotti Lola Ultimo, built on a Lola T70 chassis, featured front and rear ends crafted from single pieces of resin-reinforced fiberglass. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

Underneath its striking exterior, the Ultimo stood on the platform of a Lola T70, a racing legend in its own right. But instead of raw racing aggression, Michelotti’s design wrapped it in a body of fluid lines and futuristic touches. Its fiberglass-reinforced resin panels were formed as single pieces at both front and rear—an unusual and ambitious choice, giving the car a seamless look. The passenger compartment, meanwhile, relied on a steel frame with aluminum elements, reflecting a balance between strength and lightweight engineering.

The Michelotti Lola Ultimo was belatedly unveiled at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, showcasing not only its striking exterior but also an interior framed in steel with aluminum panels that emphasized both structure and lightness. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

What immediately captured attention was the car’s extensive glass area, lending it an almost bubble-like appearance that prioritized visibility—though the thick B-pillar stood as a bold visual counterpoint. The design wasn’t just about aesthetics; it hinted at a forward-thinking approach, one that married driver-focused visibility with aerodynamic sensibility.

The Michelotti Lola Ultimo prototype featured an ample glass area that offered excellent visibility, despite the presence of a thick B-pillar. (Picture from: Pinterest)

But what truly powered the Ultimo, quite literally, was its beastly heart. A mid-mounted 8.2-liter Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine delivered a staggering 620 horsepower, showcasing that performance was never sacrificed for form. The Ultimo wasn't merely an art piece; it had the muscle to match its radical looks.

The Michelotti Lola Ultimo prototype was powered by a mid-mounted 8.2-liter Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine producing 620 horsepower. (Picture from: Pinterest)

Yet, the story of the Ultimo ends on a mysterious note. After its brief appearance at Geneva in 1981, the car quietly vanished from public view. No records, no updates—just silence. Much like the concept cars that came before it, including the equally elusive Michelotti Pura, the Ultimo became a ghost in automotive history. 

The Michelotti Villedeuxmille, a non-functional concept model shown at the 1990 Turin Motor Show, marked the studio's final glimpse of vision before the once-vibrant and influential Michelotti name faded from the spotlight. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

That disappearance seems to echo the fate of Michelotti Studio itself. With Edgardo Michelotti at the helm, the studio struggled to maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing industry. By 1990, the studio presented one final glimpse of its vision—a non-functional concept model named Villedeuxmille at the Turin Motor Show. And then, the curtain fell. The Michelotti name, once vibrant and influential, slowly slipped away from the spotlight.😢

But the Ultimo remains a powerful symbol. It captures the closing chapter of a designer whose imagination shaped some of the most admired vehicles in the world. More than just a prototype, the Ultimo represents a moment when creativity pushed boundaries—right up to the very end. Even in absence, it speaks volumes about a legacy that, while quieter today, still echoes through every curve, line, and silhouette Michelotti ever drew. *** [EKA [18042022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSTYLING.RU |  CARSTHATNEVERMADEITITC | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTYLING.RU ]

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