Description

The Ferrari Pinin was a unique concept car created by Pininfarina in 1980 to celebrate the design house’s 50th anniversary. Unlike Ferrari’s traditional focus on sports cars and racing machines, the Pinin was a bold experiment—a four-door luxury saloon wearing the Ferrari badge. It was the first and only time Ferrari seriously explored the idea of a sedan, and it shocked the automotive world when it was unveiled at the 1980 Turin Motor Show.

The Pinin was designed under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, who had already penned many of Ferrari’s most famous models. The concept was based around Ferrari’s familiar 5.0-liter flat-12 engine from the 512 BB, although the car shown at Turin was initially a non-running prototype. Later, the chassis was developed into a functional car, and the engine was fitted to bring the concept fully to life. With over 360 horsepower, the Pinin had the potential to deliver performance worthy of the Ferrari name despite its unconventional four-door layout.

The styling of the Pinin was elegant and restrained, showcasing how Ferrari’s design language could be adapted to a luxury saloon. It featured smooth, aerodynamic lines, a long wheelbase, and a low, wide stance that gave it presence without being flamboyant. The front end carried slim rectangular headlights and a subtle grille, while the side profile was defined by a clean, unbroken beltline and discreetly flared wheel arches. Inside, the Pinin was finished with high-quality leather and luxurious details, blending Ferrari’s sporting ethos with the comfort expected of a grand tourer.

Although the Pinin generated significant interest, it remained a one-off show car. Enzo Ferrari reportedly appreciated the design but had no desire to move Ferrari away from its identity as a builder of sports cars and racing machines. As a result, the project was shelved, and Ferrari never revisited the idea of producing a four-door model until decades later, when the Purosangue SUV finally emerged.

Today, the Ferrari Pinin is remembered as one of the most intriguing “what if” moments in Ferrari history. It demonstrated that Ferrari could successfully translate its DNA into a luxury sedan without losing elegance or performance character. As a one-of-a-kind concept, it has become a highly valuable collector’s item and a symbol of Pininfarina’s creativity at its 50-year milestone. More than forty years later, it still stands out as a fascinating experiment that hinted at an alternate path Ferrari might have taken.