Bruno Sacco the face behind the Mercedes SL
The Mercedes SL epitomises style, sportiness and timeless elegance like almost no other model. Bruno Sacco played a decisive role in shaping this image for decades and created the design of numerous style-defining model series. His path from young designer to stylistic trendsetter at Mercedes-Benz explains why his designs continue to set standards to this day.
Bruno Sacco - the face behind the Mercedes SL
Bruno Sacco was born on 12 November 1933 in Udine, Italy. Sacco initially trained as a surveyor before visiting
the motor show in Turin in 1951, where he was so fascinated by the Studebaker Starlight that he moved to Turin
in 1952 to study mechanical engineering. During his studies, Bruno Sacco gained his first experience as a
designer at the Italian design studio Carozzeria Ghia and at the Pininfarina company, where he completed small
commissions.
He later met Karl Wilfert, the engineer responsible for body construction at Mercedes, who finally invited him
to Sindelfingen in 1957. There he was then employed as a stylist at Mercedes on 13 January 1958.
Bruno Sacco - his career at Mercedes
Bruno Sacco's career at Mercedes was initially characterised by a great fascination for the Mercedes SL. In the mid-1960s, Sacco even acquired the Mercedes 300 SL (W198) exhibit. From 1970, Bruno Sacco then took over the management of the ‘Body Design and Dimensional Conception’ department, before finally succeeding Friedrich Geiger in 1975 in the main Styling department and setting the tone in terms of Mercedes' appearance. A special feature of his style were the wide side protection mouldings, which were later named after him: the Sacco boards. In 1993, he was promoted to Head of Design and a member of the Board of Directors until he finally retired in 1999
Bruno Sacco's success at Mercedes Benz
Looking back, Mercedes connoisseurs say that Bruno Sacco's success was centred on the Mercedes SL, with the SL R 129 series being
regarded as his ‘masterpiece’.
Other model series for which Bruno Sacco is known include the state coach Mercedes Benz 600 (W100), the Pagoda 230
SL, the 250 SL, the 280 SL from the W113 series, the C111, the W126 luxury class series, the Mercedes 190 (W201) and the
A-Class.
The SL R 129 series - Bruno Sacco's masterpiece
The SL series R 129, also known as Bruno Sacco's masterpiece, stands for sportiness and comfort. In 1990, Sacco received the ‘Car Design Award’ for the car. He was able to score points with the clear lines and surfaces, as well as a slightly wedge-shaped body.
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