As M&M subsidiary Tech Mahindra acquires a controlling stake in Italian design juggernaut Pininfarina, we decide to take a look at the design house’s most sensational works
The Italian house of Pininfarina is a sacred space for petrolheads and design afficianados. The 85 year old design house has designed some of the most beautiful cars in the world, eventually establishing itself as a designer of high-end cars. Over the years their portfolio has come to be dominated by Ferraris, Maseratis and Alfa Romeo’s – automotive brands which are known to produce the most beautiful cars in the world.
With the passing of Andrea Pininfarina, the firm’s head, there was a certain amount of uncertainity concerning the brand’s future. With Mahindra & Mahindra subsidiary Tech Mahindra acquiring a controlling stake in the company, it’s future once again looks secure – a moment worth celebrating with 10 of the biggest design icons designed by Pininfarina.
Ferrari Dino By now you have a pretty good idea of how much Pininfarina helped shape the image and reputation of Ferraris. The Dino was named after Enzo Ferrari’s recently deceased sons – despite not carrying the official Ferrar name, the car is automatically associated with the brand’s as one of the first mid-engined Ferraris designed for the street.
2008 Maserati Gran Turismo Even in their 8th decade of existence Pininfarina proved that they remained at the top of the game with the Maserati Gran Turismo – one of the best looking modern day Maseratis. It’s got the perfect mix of traditional automotive sensuality and new cutting edge technology, there isn’t an angle on any Pininfarina car that doesn’t leave you stunned.
1987 Alfa Romeo 164 The original 164 had all the design elements you love about modern day Alfas – a dedication to aerodynamics, a long swooping bonnet and that raditional triangular grille. Even after nearly two decades, the 164 still remains a coveted car
Fiat 124 There’s a reason the Fiat 124 sold over 200,000 models. It’s one of the most popular roadster designs to have ever come out of Europe.
2006 Ferrari P4/5 If anyone is allowed to mess with perfection, it is Pininfarina, probably because they’re always the ones creating perfection in the first place. The 2006 P4/5 was created as a homage to the 1960s track focussed Ferrari P4 – arguably the most gorgeous marriage of form and function in automotive history. The P4/5 was a homage to an entire era of Ferraris and possibly the most stylish bespoke Ferrari you’ll ever lay your eyes on.
1966 Alfa Romeo Spider The Alfa Romeo Spider was immortalised in the 1967 Hollywood movie The Graduate, where it was seen being driven by a young and clueless Dustin Hoffman.Ever since then the petite little Spider has become something of a counter-cultural icon. Sometimes simple and elegant is all it takes to make an impression.
1984 Ferrari Testarossa You’ve been living under a rock if you don’t recognize the Ferrari Testarossa. as the ultimate 80’s car, the Ferrari Testarossa has starred in multiple movies and come to be an 80’s icon, signifying brash style, and a life of luxury and decadence – Ferrari style. Those slats polarised a lot of opinions, but there’s no denying that if one pulled up near you, you’d ontinue to stare.
1968 Ferrari Daytona GTB Designing a supercar that should rival the sensational Lamborghini Miura can be a daunting proposition, but designer Leonardo Fioravanti happened to be more than capable of delivering the goods. The Daytona, although not as radical as the Miura, still remains once of the most beautiful front-engined Ferraris in history.
1987 Ferrari F40 The F40, for many fans is the quintessential Ferrari performance car – stripped out, lightweight and yet, utterly gorgeous. The F40 was old man Enzo’s last hurrah, since it was the last production car made in the legend’s lifetime. One of the most iconic and recognizable Ferraris ever.
The last car to be designed by Grand old man Batista ‘Pinin’ Farina – founder of the Pininfarina house, the 275 GTB4 along with its short wheelbased counterpart remains one of the most coveted classics in modern times. Selling for ten’s of millions of dollars today, it’s one of the foremost examples of sex on wheels. the model you’re looking at belonged to none other than Steve Mcqueen
