Pagani Automobili S.p.A founded in 1992 is currently the only Italian supercar maker still standing as an independent company.
Horatio Pagani, an Argentine-Italian businessman, has complete control and is not restricted by regulations, profit expectations and declarations associated with a public company and its shareholders.
Pagani limits its production to 50 cars per year.
Horatio worked for Renault and Lamborghini.
Whilst working for Lamborghini, Horatio realised that Carbon-Fibre was the future.
After proving his theory on the concept Countach Evoluzione, Horatio Pagani wanted Lamborghini to make its carbon-fibre parts using an autoclave. The management, in their wisdom, wouldn’t accept this.
So, Horatio left Lamborghini. Armed with his vast experience with composite materials and equipped with a bank loan, Pagani Automobili S.p.A was born.
His first car, the C8, was later named the Fangio F1. Fangio approached Mercedes-Benz, and they agreed to provide a V12 engine for the Fangio F1.
Sadly, Fangio passed away in 1995, and out of respect, the car was renamed: the Zonda C12.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Ironically the Lamborghini of today relies heavily upon composite materials.
