The earlier post about Ferrari swearing to never build a four door instantly reminded me of the four door that Ferrari almost did build: the stunningly beautiful 1980 Pinin concept. I have vivid memories of drooling over it at the 1980 or 1981 LA Auto Show. What a divine piece of work in an era that gave us some weird four doors such as the Lagonda.

Sergio Pininfarina designed and had this car built as a tribute to his father, Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, and it was first shown at the 1980 Turin Show. It was a huge success, and Enzo Ferrari was duly impressed. He invited Farina to discuss building a limited run of Pinins, but it somehow never quite came together. But it certainly wasn’t because of any philosophical issues about a four door Ferrari. No one had ever suggested one in such a convincing fashion.

The Pinin’s interior was superb for the times, and is that a flat screen web browser in the back?

The Pinin used the flat 12 engine, presumably as also used in the BB. There were a number of other technological advances, and the car still looks remarkably fresh and attractive for a thirty year old design.

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