Paul Bracq
Encyclopedia
Paul Bracq is an automotive designer noted for his work at Citroën
, Peugeot
, and Mercedes-Benz
.
Bracq's career began in the design studio of Philippe Charbonneaux
, where he served as Charbonneaux' assistant in 1953 and 1954. During this period, the studio produced the designs for the French Presidential limousine built by Citroën
, a one-off Pegaso
coupe, and other automotive designs.
Bracq served his mandatory military service from late 1954 through 1957. Subsequently he worked for Daimler-Benz
, heading the design studio in Sindelfingen
, a post he would hold for ten years. Bracq styled Mercedes the 600
, 230SL/250SL/280SL
coupé, the 220S coupé, the 250 and 220D, the W108
and W114
coupe series, and its stablemate the W115 – all of the '60s and '70s.
Upon his return to France
in 1967, Bracq worked for Brissonau and Lotz, where he was responsible for the design of the TGV
high-speed passenger train. During this time, Bracq was also responsible for prototypes of a sports car based on the BMW
1600Ti and a coupé based on the Simca 1100
.
In 1970, Bracq was appointed design director of BMW
, where he was responsible for the top-of-the-line 7-Series. His 1973 "Turbo"
concept car won "Concept Car of the Year" by the Revue Automobile Suisse that year; the car repeated the feat in 1992 in the Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance
.
His work with Peugeot
beginning in 1974 included personal transportation for the Pope
.
Bracq is also active as a judge in many automotive concours, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
.
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
, Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
, and Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
.
Bracq's career began in the design studio of Philippe Charbonneaux
Philippe Charbonneaux
Philippe Charbonneaux was a French industrial designer, best known for automobile and truck design, but also known for other products such as television sets. Many of his works are now exhibits in places such as Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, or Museum of Modern Art in New York. He specialised...
, where he served as Charbonneaux' assistant in 1953 and 1954. During this period, the studio produced the designs for the French Presidential limousine built by Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
, a one-off Pegaso
Pegaso
Pegaso was a Spanish make of trucks, omnibuses, tractors, armored vehicles, and, for a while, sports cars. The parent company, Enasa, was created in 1946 and based in the old Hispano-Suiza factory, under the direction of the renowned automotive engineer Wifredo Ricart...
coupe, and other automotive designs.
Bracq served his mandatory military service from late 1954 through 1957. Subsequently he worked for Daimler-Benz
Daimler-Benz
Daimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and internal combustion engines; founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest - which was valid until year 2000 - was signed on 1 May 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie., and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had...
, heading the design studio in Sindelfingen
Sindelfingen
Sindelfingen is a German town near Stuttgart at the headwaters of the Schwippe that is the site of a Mercedes-Benz assembly plant.-History:* 1155 First documented mention of Sindelfingen...
, a post he would hold for ten years. Bracq styled Mercedes the 600
Mercedes-Benz 600
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is a large luxury automobile offered in several variants worldwide. Introduced in September 1963, it had very few competitors, these being Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Cadillac Fleetwood 75, the stretched Lehmann-Peterson Lincoln, and the Crown Imperial Ghia...
, 230SL/250SL/280SL
Mercedes-Benz W113
The Mercedes-Benz W 113 roadsters, designed by Paul Bracq, were produced from 1963 through 1971. Their distinctive "pagoda" hardtop roof, designed by Béla Barényi, gave them their contemporary nickname...
coupé, the 220S coupé, the 250 and 220D, the W108
Mercedes-Benz W108
The Mercedes-Benz W108 and W109 were luxury cars built by Mercedes-Benz from 1965 through 1972. The line was an update of the predecessor W111 and W112 fintail sedans. The cars were successful in West Germany and in export markets that included including North America and Southeast Asia...
and W114
Mercedes-Benz W114
The Mercedes-Benz W114 and W115 models are a series of coupes and sedans introduced in 1968 by Mercedes-Benz, manufactured through model year 1976, and distinguished in the marketplace by nameplates designating their engines....
coupe series, and its stablemate the W115 – all of the '60s and '70s.
Upon his return to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1967, Bracq worked for Brissonau and Lotz, where he was responsible for the design of the TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
high-speed passenger train. During this time, Bracq was also responsible for prototypes of a sports car based on the BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
1600Ti and a coupé based on the Simca 1100
Simca 1100
The Simca 1100 is an automobile built from 1967 to 1982 by Chrysler Europe's division Simca. It was replaced by the Talbot Horizon.The 1100 was the result of "Project 928", started in 1962, finalized by engineers Philippe Grundeler and Charles Scales...
.
In 1970, Bracq was appointed design director of BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, where he was responsible for the top-of-the-line 7-Series. His 1973 "Turbo"
BMW Turbo
The E25 Turbo prototype was built by BMW as a celebration for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. It was designed by Paul Bracq, with gullwing doors and a futuristic cockpit. Only two were ever built...
concept car won "Concept Car of the Year" by the Revue Automobile Suisse that year; the car repeated the feat in 1992 in the Bagatelle Concours d'Elegance
Concours d'Elegance
A Concours d'Elegance dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy, who paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during Summer weekends and holidays...
.
His work with Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
beginning in 1974 included personal transportation for the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
.
Bracq is also active as a judge in many automotive concours, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, considered the most prestigious event of its kind. It is the finale of a week long festival of classic cars events in the Monterey area every year...
.
External link and reference
- Timeline of Paul Bracq's career
- BMW Designers, an overview of automotive designers working for BMW