How I Designed...The Maserati MC12! Ep.6

Hi All,
In this episode of 'How I Designed...' I will be sketching you through some of my favourite elements on the MC12 while telling you a little bit of how the car came to be. The aim was to create a championship winning race car that wouldn't outshine Ferrari in any way. This is how the MC12 was born. It went on to win multiple GT Championships while also finding itself a devoted cult following which I am immensely proud of.
Hope you enjoy,
Frank.

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If you are interested in learning more about my life in design, there is a feature-length documentary on Netflix (UK), Motortrend (USA) & Amazon Prime called 'Chasing Perfect' available to stream and to own right now.

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"Frank Stephenson (3 October, 1959), was born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco to an American father and a Spanish mother. At the age of 11 his family moved to Istanbul, Turkey followed by 2 years in Madrid, Spain where he graduated from high school. After high school Stephenson spent six years competing professionally in motocross. His passion for drawing and automobiles since his youth led him to study automotive design at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California from 1982 to 1986. Stephenson has been the director of design for MINI, Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo and McLaren before moving on to Lilium Aviation to lead the design team creating flying taxis, known as eVTOL aircraft, as well as being Design Master at Suning Intelligent Technology, a major Chinese technology company. Additionally, he is the design director of his independent design studio, Frank Stephenson Design, an award winning team which designs and collaborates with companies world-wide seeking success through creative innovation. Stephenson speaks English, Italian, German, and Spanish fluently and is an international speaker on many design-related and motivational subjects. Since 2010 he has been listed in Debretts People of Today."

[DerkDeclined]

And that was how one of the greatest Maseratis in history came to existence

[MichaelMakesMistakes]

Seeing what you do with a Bic pen and a piece of laser paper blows my mind.

[Thesketchmonkey]

You are a legend, Frank. Thanks for taking the time to share these insightful videos!

[angelzambrano]

Frank, I can't thank you enough for what you're doing for the world. These videos are incredible. Once you mentioned having some limitations around the door area, I wondered what your "more dramatic" design would've looked like and sure enough, you showed us! It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to watch you work and experience these beautiful designs through your eyes. Thank you again for your contributions to history and for expanding on them through these videos. You are a legend!

[KabzieMusic]

This is quickly becoming my favourite YouTube channel.

[bddrax]

In 2022 I'm going to study in a Design university, and I'm focused to be a Automotive Designer.
PS : Your videos inspire me to chase my dreams

[davidwilliams]

"There's not a lot of thinking in one line." Frank, you just grew my world a little bit.

[juliacsendes]

You not only have outstanding knowledge, but as the way you see the world is enviable.

[saatviktyagi]

All I know this man has designed some legendary things and I love it

[kaueleiteantunes]

Am I the only one that gets a delightful feeling as I watch him draw?

[ivangamer]

Hail to this man for one of the best looking cars ever

[MegaRexxi]

One of the best projects in car history, worth every cent

[Thermosmcjug]

The front end was daring, but ended up re-establishing Maserati's design language in my opinion with function dictating beauty. Thanks for taking us through all of these iconic designs, Frank!

[thomas_]

I've noticed these sketches often seem more attractive designs because less compromises need to be made for functionality. This door window design is a perfect example. 8:07 Frank was stuck with the Enzo door shape so compromises had to be made.

[DistantLightInThe]

Beautiful! and not to mention his continuous talk while he's designing ... just dropping that timeless philosophy

[alexreyna]

I was just a kid when this car was first introduced, and let me just say it is and still is my favorite car. Only a few vehicles ever have captured my imagination the MC-12 is one of them. The jaguar s type and the Mercedes SLR McLaren are the only other two that I truly love, but the MC-12 is by far my favorite. Thank you for bringing this masterpiece to life.

[mikezhangyuchi]

I saw this car for the first time when I was around 13, in a magazine from a guy from school. I still remember how amazed I was and was staring at it for so long, admiring its shape and that beautiful white and blue paint.

It was the car that planted the seed in me to become a car guy. Thank you Frank!

[ThePointlessBox_]

im just discovering how most of my favorite cars were designed by this dude

[AvAfanfromfrance]

I remember seeing this car at the Paris Auto show in 2004 I believe, I was a kid and I found it super elegant and menacing

[SaM-ydfd]

I believe that this is one of the best looking and well-designed car man ever made.. this is a masterpiece.