Italian town to pay tribute to car designer Pininfarina

A Pininfarina Sergio concept car is shown in this file photo from the Geneva International Motorshow. (AFP)

To mark Senator Sergio Pininfarina's 90th birthday and to pay tribute to automotive design studio that he built into a globally recognized brand, the town of Alassio, in Italy will this weekend host a very special Concours d'Elégance, dedicated solely to vehicles designed by Pininfarina.

Between June 2 and June 5 some of the most famous cars ever to roll out of the Pininfarina atelier -- whether as concepts, designs or fully manufactured production vehicles -- will come together in one location.

Joining countless Ferraris -- over the past 65 years only two Ferraris have been designed by another company -- the event will see some of the rarest and most exotic Pininfarina cars on show together. These will include the unique 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupé Speciale and the 1947 Bristol 400 (just three survive) plus models from marques including Maserati, Ford, Cadillac, Nash, Fiat, Rolls-Royce, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Volvo and even Hyundai, all of whom have turned to the firm at one point for inspiration.

But as well as production cars, the event will be a chance to see Pininfarina's greatest concepts all on show together, including the Ferrari Sergio (built in Sergio Pininfarina's honor), the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe of 2013 and the H2 Speed hydrogen fuel cell sports car that debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show.

"In the year that my Father would have turned 90 years, I thought the most beautiful homage could be a gathering of the cars he has loved most in the city that, together with Torino, has always occupied a special place in his heart, Alassio," said Paolo Pininfarina.

While entrance to the event will be exclusive, the cars competing in the Concours d'Elégance will take to the streets in two separate processions around Alassio on Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4.

A jury made up of Pininfarina family members and international automotive experts will select four prize winners including the best in show and the Robert M. Lee award for the show's most elegant car. The city of Alassio itself will vote for the "Città di Alassio Award" for the best convertible on display.