Death of an Artist

Giovanni Farina, father of 1959 World Champion Giuseppe (“Nino”) Farina, and founder of one of Italy’s most famous automobile coachbuilding concerns, died on August 18th at the age of 72. His concern, Stabilimenti Farina, was established way back in 1906, acquiring through the years a great reputation for the advanced conception, graceful style and lightweight construction of its car bodies. Giovanni’s brother Pinin founded the coachbuilding firm known as Pinin Farina, which, since Stabilimenti Farina closed in 1952, has continued to uphold the family’s name in the world of car bodybuilding. Giovanni Farina also designed some excellent hydraulic brakes which featured on the Grand Prix Alfa Romeos with which his son was able to win so many Grands Prix in his heyday.