Sergio Pininfarina passed away this week aged 85 and the motoring world will miss him dearly. The man made a huge impact on automotive society, having guided the company responsible for styling some of the world’s finest cars, including just about every Ferrari to roll out of Maranello.
However, not all Pininfarina’s work involved exotic, high speed supercars. For the right money, his company would also turn its hand to less exotic metal. Here, in no particular order, are just a few of the least exotic vehicles to have been designed by the Italian styling house.
Austin A40 Farina
The A40 Farina is widely credited as being the world’s first hatchback. Sergio Pininfarina himself was present as the car’s UK launch.
Bollore Bluecar
One day the company’s helping design Ferraris, the next, it’s coming up with three-door electric runabouts like the Bluecar.
Cadillac Allante
Cadillac’s first luxury roadster was an Italian-American collaboration. The bodies of the Allante were designed and built in Italy, before being flown to Detroit to be mated to the chassis.
Datsun Bluebird 410
Datsun wanted a more European-looking Bluebird so it turned to Pininfarina to craft the 410.
Ford StreetKa
Ford exploited Pininfarina’s knack for creating convertibles with the StreetKa.
Hafei Lobo
There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with the Lobo, but there’s not an awful lot right with it, either.
Hafei Zhongyi
This bizarre micro van was co-designed by the Italians, produced by the Chinese and sold to Brazilians. We think it deserves a place in automotive hell.
Jaguar XJ Series III
The Series III was subtly redesigned by Pininfarina to include thicker bumpers, flush door handles, one-piece front door glass and a revised roof line.
MG MGB GT
The GT version of the MGB was pretty revolutionary at the time, thanks to that sloping rear. It gave it the look of a coupe with the practicality of a hatchback.
Mitsubishi Colt CZC
The coupe cabriolet CZC was jointly developed by Mitsubishi and Pininfarina.
Mitsubishi Pajero iO
The unusual pairing also came together to create this decidedly un-Italian mini SUV.
Peugeot 205 Cabriolet
The 205 GTI has gone down in history as one of the best hot hatches ever produced. Pininfarina added a touch of flair by creating the drop top version.
Peugeot 405
Peugeot 1007
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