The automobile industry is mourning the death of legendary designer Sergio Pininfarina who passed away on Monday night at his home in Turin, Italy. He was 85 years old. No cause of death was given.
Born in 1926, Sergio Pininfarina was the son of Battista “Pinin” Farina (later Battista Pininfarina) who founded the legendary Italian coachbuilding and design company.
He graduated in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic of Torino in 1950, and then he began his career in the family firm, Carrozzeria Pinin Farin, taking the position of General Manager in 1960. After his father’s death in 1966, Pininfarina became chairman of the company.
Sergio Pininfarina oversaw the design of vehicles from a number of automakers. Among Pininfarina’s most well-known creations during his time are the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa, the 1986 Fiat 124 Spider, the 1986 Cadillac Allante, the 1987 Alfa Romeo 164, the 1995 Bentley Azure, the 1996 Peugeot 406 Coupe, the 2002 Ferrari Enzo, the 2003 Maserati Quattroporte and the 2004 Ferrari Scaglietti.
In 2005, Pininfarina was appointed Life Senator in Italy for honoring the country by high merits in the social field. The following year he stepped down as president of Pininfarina and became Honorary Chairman of the company.
He is survived by his wife Giorgia and sons Lorenza and Paolo.
Opening Photo Credits: Pininfarina
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