Gamma and the Pope

From: Ian Powis
email: ian.powis@ehotspot.co.uk

Message

No socks and ties for Christmas this year, instead a fabulous 380 page volume on the history of Pininfarina from 1930 to 2000, printed I suspect to coincide with the 70th anniversary. Written by Antoine Prunet in English (translated probably), and printed in Italy. A fascinating book with several Gamma references. I had heard of the PF BMC 1.8 prototype that led to the Gamma berlina, Beta, Citroen etc, but not the Jaguar XJ12PF prototype of 1973. The front of this is pure Gamma berlina but there's only one photo of this car in the book from front on so the rear styling is not clear. Also I hadn't realised that the Scala and Olgiata concepts were similar to others that PF did on the Fiat 130 platform (130 Maremma estate and 130 Opéra saloon) and also the Peugeot Riviera estate based on the 504 of 1971 which didn't get into production and the 505 of 1982 shows some resemblance. Also interesting to learn that the famous photo of the Scala, Olgiata, T-Roof and standard coupe was taken outside the new Centre for Research and Development in Cambiano, near Turin, in 1982 when the centre had just opened. Also there's the photo of the pope getting out of the T-Roof prototype in 1983. I'd heard about this photo but not seen it before I think. Interesting also to see how closely Lancia and Pininfarina were linked in the early days. Great book that has certainly kept me occupied for a few days.