Sergio Sartorelli: Designer of Dreams
Designer Sergio Sartorelli was born in Alessandria in 1928; he took the degree in Mechanical Engineering at the “Politecnico” of Turin and soon became interested in cars.
Renault Ontario
The Renault Ontario prototype by Carrozzeria Ghia.
Vehicle Overview
The Renault Ontario was a concept car developed in 1963 through a collaboration between the French automaker Renault and the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia. Conceived under the internal designation “Project 115,” the Ontario was designed by Sergio Sartorelli, an influential stylist at Ghia who contributed to several notable automotive projects during the 1960s. The Ontario embodied an effort to envision a more dynamic, upscale image for Renault during a period of increasing experimentation in European automotive design. Presented as a sleek two-door coupé, the Ontario featured a long hood, flowing lines, and a gently descending roofline that terminated in a sculpted rear. Its proportions and surface treatments reflected the Italian school of gran turismo design, aligning more with Ghia’s earlier work for other European and American marques than with Renault’s typically more conservative production vehicles. The overall aesthetic suggested an intention to position the Ontario within the realm of luxury sport coupés, combining stylistic flair with an implied sense of performance. While technical specifications for the Ontario remain largely undocumented, the car was presumed to be based on mechanical elements from contemporary Renault models, possibly the Frégate or a related platform. The car’s exterior design emphasized minimal ornamentation, relying instead on balanced proportions and restrained detailing. The front end was distinguished by a narrow grille and horizontally aligned headlamps, while the side profile was marked by a low beltline and tapered greenhouse. The Ontario remained a concept and was never slated for production. Its role was primarily exploratory, part of a broader trend in the 1960s where European manufacturers sought input from Italian design houses to elevate brand image and experiment with future possibilities. Carrozzeria Ghia, under Sartorelli’s direction, delivered a proposal that integrated French engineering with Italian design values. Though only a single example was constructed, the Renault Ontario serves as a visual record of a period defined by collaboration and stylistic ambition. It reflects Renault’s openness to international influence and Ghia’s ongoing refinement of mid-century European coupé design.
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CoachbuilderGhia
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