Ferrari Mythos: When Vision Becomes Legend

The Ferrari Mythos is one of the most significant concept cars born from the collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina. First revealed at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mythos was never intended for production, yet it stands as a landmark in design and engineering.

Origins and Engineering

The Mythos was developed on the mechanical base of the Ferrari Testarossa and powered by a 4.9 litre flat 12 engine (Tipo F113 B) paired with a five speed manual gearbox. Output was quoted at 390 horsepower, with a projected top speed close to 290 km/h.

Its design, led by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina, introduced bold sculptural forms, a barchetta layout with an open cockpit, dramatic intakes, and extensive use of carbon fibre. The car also featured active aerodynamic solutions that reflected the experimental nature of the late 1980s.

Legacy and Preservation

Although intended as a concept, three additional examples were later commissioned by the Sultan of Brunei in the early 1990s. These versions were adapted with right hand drive and fixed roofs. The original Mythos show car remains preserved at the Pininfarina Style Center in Cambiano, Italy.

Many historians see the Mythos as a design bridge to later Ferrari models, particularly the F50, which carried forward several of its stylistic cues.

A Timeless Icon

On September 28, 2025, the Mythos appeared at the Festival Car Concorso d’Eleganza in Revigliasco Torinese. Displayed in Piazza Sagna, the car celebrated Pininfarina’s long connection with Turin and reaffirmed its place as a timeless symbol of creativity, vision, and Ferrari’s design future.