Sergio Pininfarina

Head of the famous Italian coachbuilder for 40 years, Sergio Pininfarina died in July aged 85.

After graduating as an engineer he joined the family firm in 1950, when it was making its name as a fresh new presence, becoming managing director in 1961 and chairman in 1966.

In this time he expanded the company from producing handbuilt bodies for a few wealthy owners to designing for major manufacturers and building three manufacturing plants of its own.

The Farina part of the name became widely known in the 1950s for Peugeot and BMC designs, including the Austin A40, and later as Pininfarina for production designs such as Citroen GS and CX, Alfa Romeo 164, Lancia Gamma and Fiat 130 coupe. But it was designs for Ferrari and concept cars which made the most impact, notably the F40 and Enzo and the Jaguar Spider which caused a sensation in 1978.

Pininfarina was also an MEP as well as an Italian senator, a professor of car design and an honorary member of Britain’s Royal Society of Arts.