America's infatuation with the jet plane in the early 1950s did not take long to cross the Atlantic. Ghia successfully tied up with Chrysler, Bertone received universal acclaim for their 'B.A.T.' show cars but not much has been said about Pinin Farina's foray into jet design.
Dubbed the PF200, Pinin Farina's jet-age design for Lancia was a lot of things but certainly not understated. The prominent, circular grille-surround looked like it came straight off a contemporary fighter jet like the F86 Sabre. It was finished in chrome, just like the 'bumperettes' alongside it and the sizeable rear bumper. The rear wings featured long fins that extended beyond the tail of the car. Surrounded by so many jet fighter cues, the pair of triple exhausts could have easily been mistaken for machine guns.
Found under the exuberant Pinin Farina body was Lancia's Aurelia B52 chassis. Based on the production Aurelia B20, it also featured a slightly longer wheelbase to give the designers some more room to work. It was powered by the same 2-litre V6 engine. Fitted with hemispherical heads and a single Solex carburettor, it produced between 75 and 90 bhp depending on the state of tune.
In the fall of 1952, the Lancia Aurelia B52 PF200 made its world debut at the Turin Motor Show. Although the car had been built with an eye on a limited production run, there is no indication that the striking creation sparked the interest of prospected buyers. Pinin Farina nevertheless continued along the same lines and created another two Cabriolets and three Coupés; each with distinct features. One order was received from the United States from a client who wanted the PF200 design fitted to a Cadillac chassis. A total of six PF200 Aurelias have been built and at least four exist today. (ultimatecarpage.com)
Pinin Farina would call upon this design to influence his 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach Show car commissioned by George Mason. It would be the firm's work with Nash that would truly introduce the Farina name to America. Their name was officially changed to Pininfarina in 1961. (vintagemotoring.blogspot.com)
Dubbed the PF200, Pinin Farina's jet-age design for Lancia was a lot of things but certainly not understated. The prominent, circular grille-surround looked like it came straight off a contemporary fighter jet like the F86 Sabre. It was finished in chrome, just like the 'bumperettes' alongside it and the sizeable rear bumper. The rear wings featured long fins that extended beyond the tail of the car. Surrounded by so many jet fighter cues, the pair of triple exhausts could have easily been mistaken for machine guns.
Found under the exuberant Pinin Farina body was Lancia's Aurelia B52 chassis. Based on the production Aurelia B20, it also featured a slightly longer wheelbase to give the designers some more room to work. It was powered by the same 2-litre V6 engine. Fitted with hemispherical heads and a single Solex carburettor, it produced between 75 and 90 bhp depending on the state of tune.
In the fall of 1952, the Lancia Aurelia B52 PF200 made its world debut at the Turin Motor Show. Although the car had been built with an eye on a limited production run, there is no indication that the striking creation sparked the interest of prospected buyers. Pinin Farina nevertheless continued along the same lines and created another two Cabriolets and three Coupés; each with distinct features. One order was received from the United States from a client who wanted the PF200 design fitted to a Cadillac chassis. A total of six PF200 Aurelias have been built and at least four exist today. (ultimatecarpage.com)
Pinin Farina would call upon this design to influence his 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach Show car commissioned by George Mason. It would be the firm's work with Nash that would truly introduce the Farina name to America. Their name was officially changed to Pininfarina in 1961. (vintagemotoring.blogspot.com)
Lancia Aurelia PF200 Cabriolet
3 units built
Chassis: B52-1052
Shown at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show, this is the second of a believed three open PF200 show cars built by Pinin Farina on Aurelia underpinnings. It was referred to as the PF200 C and featured a two-position windscreen, suggesting that this was the competition version of the car. It was shown at the Turin Motor Show later that same year.
Chassis: B52-1051
This is most likely the second PF200 Cabriolet produced after the original show car (see photo below). Compared to the original show car it already features a slightly more subtle design. The prominent grille, for example, is no longer a perfect circle but oval shaped. Its early history is not entirely clear but it entered long term American ownership in 1968. In 1974 some bodywork issues were addressed and a decade later the car was repainted silver. Since then it was shown extensively at many of the major events in the United States, including the Pebble Beach and Greenwich concours.
After more than three decades, the owner finally decided to part with his PF200 in 2005.The new owner, another American collector, delivered the car to Pininfarina a few years later for a complete restoration. During the meticulous process, the original metallic green paint was discovered.
The car was painted silver before 2005.
A third Lancia Aurelia PF200 Convertible (Chassis: unknown)
Lancia Aurelia PF200 Convertible (Pininfarina), 1952 - Turin Motor Show.
Lancia Aurelia PF200 Coupé
3 units built
One of the three units built, with flying buttress style rear window.
A second Coupé with louvre gill style side windows.
A third unit of the Coupé
with a greenhouse dome style rear window.
(Photos from ruotevecchie.org, ultimatecarpage.com,
conceptcarz.com, carstyling.ru & vintagemotoring.blogspot.com)