The Legend of Ferrari and Pininfarina’s Partnership: When Enzo Met “Pinin”
How a secret dinner, a bold promise, and a young Sergio Pininfarina led to six decades of Ferrari design greatness. This is the origin story every gearhead needs.
The Ferrari 500 Superfast designed by Pininfarina.
The Ferrari 500 Superfast was built from 1964 to 1966 in two series. Shown to the public for the first time at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show, it was the last Ferrari model built in a very limited series for select customers. In fact, the plants of the Maranello car manufacturer were increasingly converting to line production. Of the Ferrari 500 Superfast, 36 specimens were built, plus a 330 GT 2+2 with the body design of the 500 Superamerica, delivered to Prince Bernard of Holland. Other famous buyers of this expensive model (its price was double that of a Rolls-Royce) were Peter Sellers and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Of the first series, 25 were built, while of the second, which appeared in 1966, 12 were built. The design of the Ferrari 500 Superfast derived from that of the 400 Superamerica, and was conceived by Pininfarina. The model had spoked wheels, although at the time Ferrari had already begun to mount light alloy rims. It was available in both left and right hand drive. With this last configuration eight copies were produced. The figure “500” in the model name referred to the total displacement of the engine, which was 5 liters, and not the unitary one. Generally, in fact, Ferrari called its cars referring to the latter. This engine was conceived and produced specifically for the Ferrari 500 Superfast. It derived marginally from the “long block” engines designed by Aurelio Lampredi, of which he shared only the distance between the axes of the cylinders. In fact, the engine originated mainly from those of Gioachino Colombo with “short block”.
Chassis
How a secret dinner, a bold promise, and a young Sergio Pininfarina led to six decades of Ferrari design greatness. This is the origin story every gearhead needs.
Discover the fascinating journey of Pininfarina, a name synonymous with luxury automotive design and innovation. From its inception in 1930 to its status as a leader in the industry, this article explores the milestones, iconic vehicles, and visionary designers who shaped the brand’s legacy. Delve into the evolution of Pininfarina, highlighting notable achievements such as the Ferrari 550 Barchetta, the Cambiano concept, and the introduction of Automobili Pininfarina. Join us as we celebrate the artistry and engineering excellence that has defined Pininfarina through the decades.
Missing or wrong informations?
Carrozzieri-Italiani.com relies on thousend of users who help to populate the database. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the informations. Contact us if you want to contribute.