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Ferrari Pinin

Ferrari Pinin (1980)

Photo: Brian Snelson · CC BY 2.0

Production1980
EngineFlat-12 (180°)
Units built1
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The Pinin was created in 1980 as a one-off by Pininfarina to celebrate the studio's 50th anniversary, and it was the first four-door Ferrari ever built. The driving force was Sergio Pininfarina, who wanted to offer an Italian answer to luxury sedans like the Jaguar XJ, Maserati Quattroporte, and Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9. Leonardo Fioravanti led the design team, while Diego Ottina handled the detail work. Enzo Ferrari also spoke of putting it into production, but the plan was dropped.

Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.

Good to know

  • There was no real engine under the prototype's skin: a mock-up of a flat-12 was mated to the casing of a 5-speed transmission.
  • Because Ferrari belonged to Fiat, Enzo Ferrari had to use a Fiat 131 as his chauffeured car; he found it inadequate and therefore viewed a Ferrari sedan favorably.
  • The Pinin toured multiple motor shows, including the Los Angeles Auto Show and an exhibition in Pasadena, California.
  • Fioravanti suspected Ferrari shied away from series production because, in the luxury class against BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce, "flaws" tolerated in sports cars would not be accepted.
Learn moreOrigins · Design · Why it remained a one-off

Origins

Battista "Pinin" Farina founded his studio in 1930 and collaborated with Enzo Ferrari after World War II on bodies for his road cars. Built at the studio on the chassis of a Ferrari 400 GT, the prototype was unveiled by Sergio Pininfarina at the 1980 Turin Motor Show. The project had previously received the personal blessing of Enzo Ferrari and then-managing director Eugenio Alzati.

Design

Fioravanti proposed a sporting sedan with a front-mounted Ferrari flat-12. New headlights from Lucas allowed for a low front end with a slim, mesh-style grille, accompanied by body-colored taillights from Carello. The A- and B-pillars were concealed by tinted glass while the C-pillar was emphasized, creating a coupe-like appearance. The interior was trimmed in tobacco-colored Connolly leather, and the dashboard came from Borletti. Pininfarina later revisited the recessed door handles integrated into a swage line on the Alfa Romeo 164 and Peugeot 605.

Why it remained a one-off

Despite initial enthusiasm, Enzo Ferrari did not approve the project at the 1980 annual board meeting. Eugenio Alzati suspected that Fiat chairman Vittorio Ghidella withheld support because he saw the Pinin as a distraction from larger projects meant to stabilize Fiat financially. Leonardo Fioravanti, by contrast, surmised that Ferrari shrank from the build quality demanded by series production.

Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.

Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari Pinin

When was the Ferrari Pinin built?

The Ferrari Pinin was built in 1980.

What engine does the Ferrari Pinin have?

Engine of the Ferrari Pinin: 4.9 l Tipo F102 B 180° V12. It is mounted at the front.

How many Ferrari Pinin were built?

The Ferrari Pinin is a one-off.

Who designed the Ferrari Pinin?

Design of the Ferrari Pinin: Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, details by Diego Ottina.

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