Pietro Frua

Pietro Frua (Turin, May 2, 1913 – Turin, June 28, 1983) was a prominent Italian entrepreneur and one of the most renowned automotive designers of the 20th century.

Born in Turin to Angela, a seamstress, and Carlo Frua, an employee at Fiat, Pietro grew up surrounded by the burgeoning Italian automotive industry. After earning a diploma in technical design from the Scuola Allievi Fiat, Frua joined Stabilimenti Farina, where his career quickly accelerated. By the age of 22, he became Director of the design center at Farina.

In 1939, Frua moved to Viberti after being dismissed from his previous position, but his career was interrupted by World War II.

Following the war, Frua established his own company, hiring 15 workers. Under his mentorship, future designers like Sergio Coggiola, who later founded his own coachbuilding firm, honed their craft. Frua’s first independent creation, in 1946, was a bespoke spider based on the Fiat 1100 C. This design achieved second place in its category at the 1947 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance, marking the beginning of Frua’s prominence in automotive design.

In the 1950s, Frua focused on designs based on Fiat models but also collaborated with prestigious brands like Maserati and Lancia. Internationally, he worked on projects for Panhard and Renault and contributed designs to Ghia-Aigle and Carrozzeria Viotti.

The 1960s were particularly prolific for Frua. He strengthened ties with Fiat and Maserati, designing the first-generation Maserati Quattroporte, one of his most iconic works. He also collaborated extensively with the German automaker Glas, designing nearly all its models before the brand was absorbed by BMW.

In the 1970s, Frua continued creating designs across various brands, maintaining his reputation as a versatile designer.

Diagnosed with cancer in 1982, Frua passed away on June 28, 1983, at the age of 70. His legacy endures as one of Italy’s most influential automotive designers.