How Pininfarina Shaped the World of Luxury Automobiles
Few names resonate throughout the automotive-design world like Pininfarina. Since its founding in 1930 by Battista “Pinin” Farina, the Italian design firm has helped form the visual identity of legendary marques like Ferrari, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo. Three generations of Pininfarina designs have captured the imaginations of auto enthusiasts worldwide, with many of these cars considered the embodiments of power, speed, and luxury. While Ferrari may be most synonymous with the heralded design house, even the lesser-known collaborations demonstrate Pininfarina’s ability to create memorable, relevant expressions of each brand’s essence. AD has compiled a selection of iconic autos that hold a special place in the hearts (and on the wish lists) of car lovers everywhere.
1/11Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 (1966–93)
Possessing a classic and time-tested silhouette, the Alfa Romeo Spider of The Graduate fame remained in production with only minimal styling and mechanical changes for almost 30 years, an eternity in the automotive world. The car succeeded the Giulia Spider, retaining much of its mechanical underpinnings, but the trademark silhouette was developed through a series of bold concept cars. The production Spider kept the distinctive nose and scalloped sides without the show-car fins, adopting the now-familiar timeless appearance.
2/11Cisitalia 202 (1947)
This gorgeous two-door GT represents a watershed moment in automotive design: Abandoning the prevailing philosophy that treated individual components as distinct and separate elements, the 202’s body flows over the chassis as a continuous fluid surface, integrating fenders, hood, and headlights into one homogenous design. While the model’s time-consuming handcrafted construction meant that few examples were produced, its undeniable influence is reflected by the distinction of being the first car on permanent display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
3/11Maserati GranTurismo (2007–present)
You would be hard-pressed to find many in the automotive world who regard the Maserati GranTurismo as anything short of beautiful. At a time when rival cars could claim more power, faster track times, and more features, the Maserati excels at exactly what it is designed for: delivering the GT experience for four at a level of luxury and ease few cars can match and with a sculpted visage that looks just as breathtaking sitting perfectly still.
4/11Maserati Birdcage 75th Concept (2005)
Built to honor both the esteemed design firm’s 75th anniversary and the tubular framed “birdcage” Maseratis of the 1960s, the Birdcage 75th Concept car employed all manner of innovative materials within its sleek, low-slung body. Built on a Maserati MC12 GT1 race-car chassis, the car eschewed doors in favor of an elaborate bulbous canopy that lifted to allow entry. While certainly not the most practical design, the vehicle spoke to a vision of the future thanks to its cameras, heads-up display, and integrated phone technology that would be very much at home in today’s connected world.
5/11Ferrari Dino 206 Competizione (1967)
The Dino marque was established by Ferrari to sell mid-engine lower-cost sports cars without diminishing the parent company’s lofty reputation. It also gave birth to a series of especially beautiful concept cars, like the 206 SP and the breathtaking Competizione. A rare example of a fully functional concept car built with actual racing components, the “Yellow Dino” wowed the world with its bold, curvaceous body and prominent wing. The automotive press lauded it as “one of the most beautiful objects created by man.”
6/11Peugeot 404 (1960–91)
While not the typical expression of Pininfarina power and grace, the 404 holds an important place for its versatility alone. Manufactured in coupe, sedan, convertible, van, wagon, and even pickup-truck variants, the 404 still managed to keep the design house’s proud heritage intact. The auto was so popular that its design was still licensed and produced throughout the globe until 1991, with almost 2.9 million examples made.
7/11Ferrari F40 (1987–92)
Simply put, the F40 is the quintessential supercar. Built in celebration of Ferrari’s 40th anniversary—and just as important, as the company’s answer to the Porsche 959—the sculptural two-door mid-engine sports coupe was aerodynamics personified, with panels made largely from low-weight yet durable Kevlar, carbon-fiber, and aluminum composites. The F40 was the last design personally approved by Enzo Ferrari before his death in 1988.
8/11Ferrari Enzo (2003–04)
Crafted by Pininfarina's then head designer Ken Okuyama, the Enzo was released to polarizing reviews, its aggressive Formula One–inspired appearance marking a spirited departure from the smooth lines of the marque's previous supercars. The model, named in honor of Ferrari's founder, featured a host of Formula One technologies, among them the six-speed gearbox and the first carbon-fiber brake discs and fully integrated electronic control system.
9/11Ferrari Testarossa (1984–96)
For a generation of television viewers, the Testarossa was the very image of a Ferrari. Bold and unmistakable, this “redhead’s” distinctive look delivered function as well as form, with its wide stance increasing stability and signature side strakes providing both cooling and downforce. Perhaps most associated with the show Miami Vice, the Testarossa was the epitome of the flashy, over-the-top ’80s era.
10/11Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS (1975–85)
One of the most memorable and recognizable Ferraris, the 308 enjoyed enormous fame and popularity thanks to starring roles in television shows like Magnum, P.I. and movies like The Cannonball Run. Whether in berlinetta form (GTB) or with a targa roof (GTS), the sweeping, curved body and aggressive stance marked the 308 unmistakably as a Pininfarina Ferrari.
11/11Nash Healey (1952)
Pininfarina was hired by American firm Nash Motors to restyle its two-seat sports car to better conform to the design language of the company’s other models. The reimagined front end included a new grille with integrated headlights, and the curved windshield, subtle tail fins, and new fender shapes helped create a memorable new identity that still skillfully represented the image of the brand.
