The auto world is mourning the loss of Sergio Pininfarina, one of Italy’s greatest and most prolific automotive designers. So it’s appropriate that I’m writing this while sitting next to a Maserati Gran Turismo, one of the most beautiful coupes crafted by Sergio and his father’s company namesake, Pininfarina.

It’s a stunning blend of athleticism, femininity and style, it’s just too bad the driving experience never quite lived up to its sculpted sheet metal.

But Pininfarina was responsible for so much more during his six decades of design leadership. Nearly every Ferrari to roll out of the marque’s factory in Maranello, Italy had the Pininfarina logo emblazoned on the side. Enzo Ferrari himself was convinced by the young but seasoned Pininfarina to begin the push towards what’s now standard on all supercars – a mid-mounted engine – and was instrumental in getting Ferrari to enter the world of production cars.

Read more, and see a gallery of what Pininfarina bestowed on the motoring world.

(Source: Wired)