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Ferrari's First Four-Door Hits The Block: 1980 Pinin Concept

 
8 1,719 views Oct 5, 2011

The 1980 Ferrari Pinin concept. Image: RM Auctions

The Ferrari Pinin concept was introduced at the 1980 Turin Motor Show, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Italian design company Pininfarina. Named for Battista Farina, who went by the nickname of “Pinin,” the car represented the first official four-door sedan even built by Ferrari.

Although built as a static display model without functional engine or drivetrain, the Ferrari Pinin featured some revolutionary design concepts. To improve aerodynamics, the glass is flush from C-pillar to C-pillar, and the windshield wipers were hidden beneath a panel to improve airflow.

The five-spoke wheels used angled “blades,” to help with brake cooling at high speeds. Inside, the Ferrari Pinin was fitted with the finest Connolly leather, and the car featured “computerized” controls that were largely the stuff of science fiction when the car debuted.

Sadly, the Ferrari Pinin never saw production. Fiat, Ferrari’s owner, was focused on bringing small, affordable cars (like the Fiat Uno) to market, and a business case for a four-door Ferrari just couldn’t be made.

The car was kept as a static display until purchased by its current owner in 2008. With the help of fabricator Oral Engineering, a Ferrari 512 engine and 400GT gearbox were fitted, followed by an updated suspension and brakes. In its current form, the Ferrari Pinin produces 360 horsepower from its 4.9-liter, boxer-12 engine.

The car will hit the block at the upcoming RM Auctions London event, and the duPont Registry says the Pinin is likely to fetch between $740,000 and $850,000. That’s a significant amount of money (enough for a Maybach 57 and a Maybach 62, to be precise) but it does give you a rare kind of exclusivity. The Ferrari Pinin is one of one, and it represents a significant piece of Ferrari history.
HI-RES GALLERY: The 1980 Ferrari Pinin concept. Image: RM Auctions




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Comments (8)

  1. WizardsLore avatar WizardsLore Posted: 10/5/2011 7:10pm PDT

    im suprised that Ferrari dont buy it themselves. and put it in their museaum. Although not a classic beauty it is still one of many yesteryear classic concepts.
     
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  2. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 10/6/2011 3:55am PDT

    @WizardsLore, Ferrari may indeed be the high bidders at the upcoming auction. The car is significant enough that it belongs in a museum.
     
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  3. WizardsLore avatar WizardsLore Posted: 10/10/2011 7:25pm PDT

    @ Kurt
    if you could provide the results of the purchase when it selss and it is indeed Ferrari buying it. It woudl be the ulitmate shame if it isnt bought by them as a collector woudl just stick it in their garage and it wouldnt see the light of day. At least in the Ferrari museum it wold be viewed by people and appreciated for what it is
     
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  4. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 10/11/2011 4:01am PDT

    @WizardsLore, will definitely follow up on this. The auction is set for 10/26, so check back after 10/27.
     
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  5. WizardsLore avatar WizardsLore Posted: 11/3/2011 8:05pm PDT

    Hey Kurt....how did the Auction go???
     
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  6. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 11/4/2011 4:30am PDT

    @WizardsLore, thanks for the reminder. I did check the day after the auction, but the results hadn't been posted yet.

    The bidding rose to £400,000 ($640,000 US, or $616,860 AUS), but it didn't meet the reserve price. The Ferrari Pinnin was a no-sale.
     
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  7. WizardsLore avatar WizardsLore Posted: 11/7/2011 6:39pm PST

    Thanks Kurt. i thought the Reserve woudl have been lifted to ensure it goes to a good home. maybe the buyer wasnt a proper collector?
     
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  8. fb_1491948054 avatar Kurt Ernst Posted: 11/8/2011 4:23am PST

    @WizardsLore, there are a lot more "bargain hunters" at auctions these days, looking to buy cars only for later resale. There's no way of knowing who the bidders were, but I seriously doubt Ferrari was in on the action.
     
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