A STORY AROUND EVERY TURN

The innovative Ferrari 365 P debuted at the Paris Auto Salon in 1966, then embarked on a year-long world tour, traveling to London, Brussels, Geneva, Turin and Los Angeles. Decades later, this distinctive three-seat Berlinetta by Pininfarina continues to inspire designers and enthusiasts, and it takes pride of place on the poster art created for the 2021 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex.

The 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature the creations of Carrozzeria Pininfarina, which now encompasses 90+ years of style, and the Tour will showcase these designs as they are meant to be seen — in motion. 

“Pininfarina has long been a strong creative force, styling cars for a host of marques over many decades,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button, “But the relationship between Ferrari and Pininfarina is a very special one; Pininfarina has probably designed more Ferraris than any other coachbuilder.” The Concours will feature a full class of Pininfarina-bodied Ferraris, in addition to designs done for Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Cisitalia, to Cadillac and Chevrolet, Bentley and Nash-Healey, Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot.

The 365 P was the first mid-engine V12 Ferrari designed for road use — and it almost didn’t happen. Truth be told, Enzo Ferrari wasn’t convinced that any road car needed all that power. But others, including Ferrari racing legend Luigi Chinetti, argued for it. And Sergio Pininfarina, then a relatively new designer seeking to strengthen the relationship between Ferrari and his family’s firm, was eager to show what he could do with such a platform.

At the car’s core is the engine and engineering of the 365 P2 raced by NART, Chinetti’s North America Racing Team. But its most innovative feature, as indicated by its nickname “Tre Posti,” is the trio of seats inside; the driver sits front and center, flanked by two passengers just slightly set back. 

“The Ferrari 365P is a remarkable car,” said Tim Layzell, who painted the poster art. In 1995, at the age of 13, Layzell won the Young Motoring Artist Award from the British Racing Drivers Club, and he is now rightly considered one of the world’s leading motoring artists. “At first glance, it has many design similarities to, and lines of, the legendary Dino. But as you look closer, there are several distinct differences — mainly as a result of the extra width accommodating the extra center seat. At the time, it was very futuristic and forward thinking.”

After two early owners, each of whom kept the car just briefly (the first returned it in part because he felt it was difficult to parallel park!), the car was purchased in 1969 by Chinetti himself, who retained it for nearly five decades. He exhibited it at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2004. This car is one of just two 365 Ps: a second car was built for Gianni Agnelli and is now in another private collection.

A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series II is also included on the Tour poster art, which was created with acrylics on canvas and measures 24- by 30-inches. 

“Pininfarina has been responsible for some of the greatest automotive styling ever,” said Layzell, “and the Ferrari bloodline definitely made the most of their talent, with the 250 Tour De France, 250 SWB and the 250 PF Cabriolet being among the best. I have painted these cars many times, and they’ve always been on my Top Ten dream garage list. They have such simplicity, but with fantastically elegant and organic lines that could only be crafted by hand. 

“They look great on paper, but when you see them in real life, they make your jaw drop to the floor! Nothing compares.”