The genius of Pininfarina’s designs is that imagination is their only limitation. One of the best examples from the 60s is a concept car called the “X”. Now this torpedo with tailfins is up for sale on eBay.
Not only does the car look like an egg from the front and a DeSoto Firesweep from the rear, but it also has a very unique drivetrain. The front wheel is used for steering, the two side wheels are for stabilization, and the single wheel in the rear puts the power to the road. The front steering wheel even has a disc brake (the other three have drums.)
Pininfarina had an eye more for economy than speed when designing this one-wheel drive wonder. It not only has an efficient aerodynamic shape, but it is also powered by a somewhat underwhelming 43 hp 1100 cc Fiat engine. The X’s leisurely pace may have been a good thing considering the unconventional wheel layout is rumored to make for unpredictable handling.
The name of the car comes from its footprint. Drawing an imaginary line from the front wheel to the back wheel, and then another line connecting the two side “outrigger” wheels, creates a cross or “X”.
While the X may not look like a car for the road, it did have influence over Pininfarina's designs. The evidence is in the rear styling of the Ferrari 250 GTE from the same year. (see comparison pic on right)
So why would a one-of-a-kind prototype from one of the world’s greatest coachbuilders get a DWB? Simple: the price. eBay has the bids starting at $800,000 with a reserve, but it seems the car was once listed for $1.35 million. That’s Ferrari Enzo territory.
While the Enzo may be a less rare Pininfarina creation, it will still take a lot of Louis XIII cognac to convince your friends this was a better purchase.
