Ferrari designer Pininfarina dies aged 85
#1
07-03-2012, 07:25 AM
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Frankfurt
Posts: 4,259
Ferrari designer Pininfarina dies aged 85 Ferrari designer Pininfarina dies aged 85
R.I.P. - Your eye candy will never be forgotten
The Italian godfather of car design, Sergio Pininfarina, renowned for crafting sleek Ferrari cars, has died aged 85, Italian media reports.
Born in 1926 near Turin, in Italy's industrial north, Pininfarina dedicated his long career to collaborations with top carmakers, designing the Ferrari Testarossa, Fiat 124 Spider, Fiat Dino and Maserati GranTurismo, among others.
He joined the family car design company after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, and quickly became involved in all aspects of the business, from designing the cars to engineering and manufacturing.
Determined to change the common perception of cars as merely functional, he rose to stardom with beautifully sculptured and blood red Ferraris, from the 410 SA to the Dino Berlinetta Speciale, Ferrari F40 and Enzo Ferrari.
He also applied his talents to less exotic models like Peugeots and Mitsubishis.
Pininfarina had a passion for forward-looking technology, becoming an early supporter of reducing car emissions and increasing fuel economy. In 1972, he opened the first wind tunnel in Italy, one of the few in the world at the time.
In 2006, he handed over management of the company to his son Andrea.
He was awarded dozens of honours throughout his illustrious career, including four honorary university degrees in fine arts and industrial design.
In 2011, the company announced it was stopping car production because it had seen its revenue plunge in a sector reeling from the financial crisis, but has continued to design and engineer, with a particular focus on electric cars.
Born Sergio Farina, he was head of Italy's business association Confindustria from 1988 to 1992 and was named senator for life in 2005.
Source
#4
07-03-2012, 10:02 AM
Teamspeed Pro
Join Date: May 2011
Location: south of italy, where things get serious.
Posts: 1,503
Rest in Peace, maestro.
Some of his awesomeness:
The buses in my hometown are also designed by pininfarina
Some of his awesomeness:
The buses in my hometown are also designed by pininfarina
#9
07-03-2012, 10:21 AM
RIP Sergio, he is the reason so many young people have grown up loving the prancing horse! Some amazing machines have been created with his skin wrapped around them
