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

By Kurt Ernst

Kurt Ernst

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Kurt has been fascinated by anything with wheels and a motor for a long time. Growing up, he spent his spare time turning wrenches and pumping gas in... More

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8 1,740 views Oct 5, 2011

The 1980 Ferrari Pinin concept. Image: RM Auctions

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.