Battista «Pinin» Farina (November 2, 1893 – April 3, 1966) was a pioneering Italian automobile designer and founder of Carrozzeria Pininfarina, a coachbuilding company renowned for its influential postwar car designs.
Early Life and Career
Born in Cortanze, Italy, Battista was the tenth of eleven children. His nickname «Pinin,» meaning «the youngest» in Piedmontese, highlighted his status as the youngest sibling. At 12, he began working at his brother Giovanni’s body shop, Stabilimenti Farina, where he developed a passion for automobiles and honed his design skills.
Establishment of Carrozzeria Pininfarina
In 1930, leveraging his experience and vision, Battista founded Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in Turin, focusing on custom car bodies and design. The company quickly gained prominence, collaborating with major manufacturers and producing bespoke designs that set new standards in the automotive industry.
Legacy and Honors
1961, Battista legally changed his surname to Pininfarina, aligning his identity with his company’s brand. His contributions to automotive design earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2004. Today, Pininfarina continues to influence the automotive world, with models like the electric hypercar Battista named in his honor.
Battista Pininfarina’s legacy endures through the timeless designs and innovative spirit he instilled in the automotive industry.
Notable Cars Designed by Pininfarina:
1930s:
- 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
- 1936 Lancia Aprilia
- 1938 Lancia Astura
1940s:
- 1947 Cisitalia 202
- 1949 Simca 8 Sport Coupé and Cabriolet
1950s:
- 1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Continental Coupé
- 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter
- 1952 Nash Ambassador
- 1952 Nash-Healey
- 1953 Maserati A6 GCS/53 (Berlinetta and Spyder versions)
- 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa
- 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé
- 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica
- 1955 Peugeot 403
- 1956 Austin A40 Farina
- 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
- 1957 Lancia Flaminia
- 1958 BMC Farina models (Austin A55 Cambridge Mk II, MG Magnette Mk III, Morris Oxford V, Riley 4/68, Wolseley 15/60)
- 1959 Fiat 1800/2100
1960s:
- 1960 Peugeot 404
- 1961 Fiat 2300
- 1961 Maserati 5000 GT
- 1964 Ferrari 275
- 1965 Dino 206
- 1965 MGB GT
- 1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider Duetto
- 1966 Fiat 124 Spider
- 1966 Fiat Dino Spider
- 1967 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2
- 1967 BMC 1800 (ADO17) replacement proposal
- 1967 BMC 1100 (ADO16) replacement proposal
- 1968 Ferrari Daytona
- 1968 Peugeot 504 Sedan, Coupé, and Cabriolet
- 1968 Ferrari 365 GTC
1970s:
- 1971 Fiat 130 Coupé
- 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4
- 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2
- 1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
- 1975 Lancia Montecarlo
- 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue
- 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB
- 1977 Ferrari 512 BB
- 1978 Jaguar XJ6 (Series III)
- 1979 Peugeot 505
1980s:
- 1980 Fiat Spider Pininfarina 2000
- 1983 Peugeot 205
- 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO
- 1984 Ferrari Testarossa
- 1985 Peugeot 205 Cabriolet
- 1987 Alfa Romeo 164
- 1987 Cadillac Allanté
- 1987 Ferrari F40
- 1987 Peugeot 405
- 1989 Peugeot 605
- 1989 Ferrari Mythos
1990s:
- 1994 Fiat Coupé
- 1995 Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider
- 1995 Ferrari F50
- 1995 Honda SSM Concept Car
- 1995 MG F (roof structure design)
- 1996 Ford Ka
- 1996 Lancia Kappa SW
- 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello
- 1997 Peugeot 306 Cabriolet
- 1997 Peugeot 406 Coupé
- 1999 Songhuajiang Hafei Zhongyi
- 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero
2000s:
- 2000 Ferrari 550 Barchetta
- 2000 Ferrari Rossa
- 2000 Hispano Habit bus body
- 2001 Citroën Osée
- 2002 Daewoo Tacuma
- 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello
- 2002 Ferrari Enzo
- 2002 Chevrolet Optra
- 2002 Hafei Lobo
- 2002 Madrid Metro Series 7000 and 9000 (AnsaldoBreda)
- 2003 Maserati Quattroporte
- 2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
- 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
2010s:
- 2012 Ferrari F12berlinetta
- 2013 BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé
- 2016 Pininfarina H2 Speed
- 2019 Pininfarina Battista
This comprehensive list highlights Pininfarina’s significant impact on automotive design, spanning multiple decades and a wide range of brands.
