While this peculiar automobile might appear like it only has 3 wheels, it actually has 4. This is the extraordinary 1960 Pininfarina X (29404) Sedan, a machine that utilizes a cruciform wheel platform that has a single wheel at the front for steering, a single wheel at the rear which is driven by the engine, eliminating any differential need, and two projecting wheels on either side which stabilize the entire platform. In the year 1961, one year after the creation of this concept car, the Italian car design firm and coachbuilder Carrozzeria Pinin Farina had its name changed to simply be ‘Pininfarina’. This was the result of ‘Pinin’ Farina turning the company over to his son Sergio, and son-in-law, Renzo Carli. In 1961, the President of Italy formally authorized the change of Farina’s last name to be Pininfarina, and thus, the company did the same. Before the creation of the ‘Pininfarina’ company that we see and hear about frequently, ‘Pinin Farina’ developed this space-like automobile shown here. The project was led Italian automobile designer and founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coach building company, Batista "Pinin" Farina himself. The design work for the X was contracted to a professor at Turin's Polytechnic University by the name of Alberto Morelli. The X’s coefficient of aerodynamic drag is only 0.23, a number which is quite unprecedented, especially for the moment in time. The interior is not quite as daring as the exterior, providing the four passengers with only the essentials while driving.
How many made? 1
Engine: 43hp 1,089cc four-cylinder and four-speed transmission from a Fiat 1100
Debut: 1960 Turin Auto Show
Top Speed: approximately 90mph
0-60mph: n/a
Photo credit: @teilix
Research: @rarecarsonly