Andrea Pininfarina dies in crash
August 8, 2008 by Karl Peskett
In a blow to the automotive design community, Andrea Pininfarina, head of coachbuilding and design company Pininfarina, has died overnight in a collision.
Pininfarina, who was 51, was riding his Vespa scooter, when he was hit by 78-year-old driver Giuliano Salmi, on the outskirts of the city of Turin. The real irony is that he was killed by a Ford Focus – one of the vehicles his company was deeply involved with.
Best known for its work on Ferraris, Fiats, Alfas, and developing convertible versions of existing product, Pininfarina’s company has been a driving force in the motoring landscape of Italy.
So much so, that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in a statement Pininfarina was “the representative of a dynasty that helped bring the story of ‘made in Italy’ to the world.”
Ferrari head Luca di Montezemolo had this to say:
“With Andrea Pininfarina I have lost a great friend and outstanding business partner. Together we shared years of work and successes with the Ferrari cars he designed.”
“He was a man of great humanity and in this moment of deep sorrow my heart goes out to his parents, his wife, children, brothers and all his collaborators at Pininfarina.”
London’s Telegraph noted that when his death was announced, trading in the firm’s shares were suspended as a sign of respect.
His family also said his body would be taken to the chassis plant at Cambiano near Turin so employees could pay their last respects.
He is survived by his wife Cristina Maddalena Pellion di Persano, and three children.
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For anyone involved in the automotive industry and for enthusiasts around the world, this is a sad day. To lose someone so young, who had so much left to give in the pursuit of automotive passion, is truly a tragedy. The Pininfarina name, more than any other, has been the benchmark for automotive styling for many, many years. Many of the most beautiful cars in the world bare the famous logo.
He will be missed by many not least, his own family.
Such a sad story. Pininfarina have designed a lot of the most beautiful cars over the years. My heart goes out to his family and friends and he will be greatly missed by enthusiasts all over the world.
sad…..
cheers
f-0
Sad..RIP.
Maybe CarAdvice should compile the top ten Pininfarina designs as a sort of tribute?
Yeah, gd idea Smokin. Does this mean that Pininfarina will now close down? They weren’t doing too well last I heard what with all the debt and insolvency they were facing.
Just realised Jalopniks already done what i suggested…
RIP Andy!
^Yeah. R.I.P. Andrea Pinnifarina
It’s just too bad you always lose in a bike crash no matter what. I hope his passion lives on, his company continuing to deliver nice looking cars.
Sad news indeed. I just learnt, been in isolation for the last 4 weeks doing some driving. :)
I guess I’ll hold on to my beloved 405 Mi16 a little longer than my wife expected.
RIP
SteveC