Auto Design

Part 1. The Dream. (See Part 2. The Reality)

  First written for Car Styling, Issue 175 (Tokyo, November 2006).

* Stories and cars from recent past you may like to read and see again.

This story is not about a new car, or a supercar.

This story is about a man and his passion for beautiful, powerful and extraordinary cars. Ferrari and just a few more.

I  confess I love him. Even though I have not met him so far, nor seen him person and despite the fact that he is actually threatening my job by telling everybody the entire story as it develops. It does it not for money but just for the pleasure of sharing his passion for Ferrari and Internet. He has done it long before I, as a professional journalist, got a clue of what is going.

Why do I love him? Simply because he is a generous and such a passionate man that he needs to share his passion with everybody else. His passion is simply too much for himself.

Sharing to me means joy, happiness, giving and taking, and I love this. Go to this web site: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92754&page=5 (after registering with FerrariChat.com) and you will see what I mean. His pen name is Napolis.

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Part 2. The Reality. (See Part 1. The Dream)

  First written for Car Styling, Issue 175 (Tokyo, November 2006).

* Stories and cars from recent past you may like to read and see again.

THE REALITY OF THE 2006 FERRARI P4/5 BY PININFARINA.

 We said that this is the story of a man, Yet we shall not forget the car, and what a supercar!

The 2006 Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina is absolutely unique, and that is not just because there is only one in the world but for its outstanding concept and contents: heritage, technical sophistication, extreme performance and design.

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 DEDICATED TO ANDREA PININFARINA.

 Andrea Pininfarina has suddenly passed away on August 7^th; the very day one of his latest achievement was due to be air freighted to the United States, on behalf of its owner: Mr. Roland Hall.

The British gentleman who commissioned the design and construction of such an outstanding work of art, shocked by the tragic event, immediately wanted the car to be dedicated to the memory of Andrea Pininfarina “such an extraordinary man”.

 I am proud of joining him in dedicating this report (actually drafted before the fatal accident) to his memory, his work and his men, who passionately worked to deliver this unique “Fuoriserie by Pininfarina”.

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A friend of mine called to talk about the stunning Rolls-Royce roadster Pininfarina and their client will show at Pebble Beach. He has offered me a couple of more accurate information I need to share with you. First the original wheelbase has not been cut, as the rendering has suggested, even though the roadster is a two-seater. Second, despite Pininfarina expertise on retractable hard top, Hyperion is not a convertible-coupé but will just do with a traditional soft-top. As for the material used for the all-new skin it is not clear whether it is alumium (polished) steel (stainless?) or carbon fibre.

Pininfarina’s director of design, Lowie Vermeersch, did not want add anything but said “you will be surprised”, and added: “there is also a surprise in the cockpit but you have to wait and see.”