Horacio Pagani

Explore the incredible life of visionary automotive designer Horacio Pagani, the man who built a hypercar empire from scratch. This podcast episode chronicles his extraordinary journey from a young boy with a dream in a small Argentinian village to becoming one of the most respected supercar creators in the world. We delve into his early passion for engineering and art, his pivotal work at Lamborghini, and the bold decision to found his own company, Pagani Automobili. Discover the history and genius behind iconic models like the Pagani Zonda and Huayra, and learn how his relentless pursuit of perfection and innovative use of materials like carbon fiber transformed the world of high-performance cars. This is the definitive story of a true automotive legend, perfect for car enthusiasts and fans of entrepreneurial success stories. 

A humble car designer from a small town in the middle of Argentina

Stumbled on a magazine with a quote from Leonardo da Vinci at age 13

Gets hired at Lamborghini, job offer is pulled before he can start work, shows up at Lamborghini's doorstep anyway

Insists his employer buy an autoclave to make car parts, they decline, they tell him to get back to work. He rides his bike to the bank and gets a loan for his own autoclave, rents a warehouse

And this is just the beginning,

You couldn't even make up a better car creators story...

I read a few amazing books on the subject, and a few great interviews from Horacio himself -

Interview - Drive Experience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWYKfdedg0Y

Interview - W Executive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaMdycD9vD8

Book - 'Pagani. Hypercars D'autore. Ediz. Italiana E Inglese' by Daniele Buzzonetti

Book - 'Fangio: The Life Behind the Legend' by Gerald Donaldson

summary

This conversation explores the inspiring journey of Horatio Pagani, the founder of Pagani Automobili, detailing his early influences, struggles, and the defining moments that led to the creation of the iconic Pagani Zonda. It highlights the importance of passion, creativity, and the intersection of art and science in automotive design, as well as the significant impact of Juan Manuel Fangio on Pagani's career. The discussion also delves into the challenges faced in building the Zonda, including the search for a suitable engine, and concludes with Pagani's philosophy on car design and his vision for the future.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Horatio Pagani
06:08 Defining Moments in Automotive History
11:47 The Influence of Juan Manuel Fangio
17:55 Building the Pagani Zonda
24:09 The Engine Dilemma
29:49 The Birth of the Hypercar
35:56 Horatio's Philosophy and Future Plans

Learn More -

https://atticcapital.com/pagani/

https://atticcapital.com/