Progress can be measured in many ways. More than many other industries, automakers build their business on capturing the future in models made for the present day. The journey that we take as a culture can be appreciated by looking at automotive evolution over time: seeing how trends and technologies develop and are superseded by newer and better ideas. And yet, for a very few forward-looking examples, the original vision was so singular that it has never truly been bested. That is true of the Pininfarina Modulo, a 1970 concept car still futuristic today.
With modern designers attempting to create a new class of autonomous vehicles, suddenly the driver-focused Modulo appears to be a desirable vision from an alternate reality. A one-of-one effort built on the chassis of a Ferrari 512, the Modulo showcased the skills of the Pininfarina design team as well as their expertise in physical construction. Not a mere wedge-shaped showpiece, the Modulo was fitted with a twelve-cylinder powerplant derived from the fearsome Ferrari 612 Can Am car. Now, in celebration of one of their most singular automotive efforts, Pininfarina has decided to mint a series of unique NFT artworks showing the Modulo concept car as it moves through the decades. But time is running out on the auction; today is the last day to bid on these timeless works of Pininfarina design:
MODULO 70’s
The decade which gave birth to the Modulo is depicted in all its golden-hued glory in this piece, showcasing a three-dimensional Modulo as it travels along a tri-colored road, surrounded by giant electric guitars, classic amplifiers, roller skates, and even a set of View-Master style goggles. Not simply limited to a digital product, this one-of-a-kind NFT will also include some highly desirable physical accessories, including a limited edition print as well as an original, hand-drawn piece of artwork depicting the Modulo, both signed by Pininfarina chairman Paolo Pininfarina. This lot, like the remainder on our list, also includes an exclusive offer for a VIP tour of the Pininfarina facilities in Cambiano, Italy. A perfect gift for those who remember the revolutionary promise of 1970s design.
MODULO 80’s
Moving forward into the next decade, the 1980s saw the first foray into digital landscapes. The Modulo fits in perfectly in this environment, with the 3-D model traveling through a series of moving grids and neon-colored lights. Giant Rubik’s Cubes shift colors on either side of the electric road, and the whole scene moves to a soundtrack composed by electro-pop producer Sasha Sirota, who also scored the scenes for all the other NFT generations. Also accompanied by the physical artworks described above and including the invitation for a VIP tour, this lot appears perfect for those who are nostalgic for the comparatively simpler times of the 1980s.
MODULO 90’s
With the relative processing power of personal computers finally gaining some traction in the 1990s, the digital landscape became part of everyday life. So too, did video games, which introduced a whole new generation to the thrill of piloting Italian supercars through evocative environments. Watching the Modulo zip through this track would be a thrill for any design fan, as the outspoken concept car ages well against the cassette tapes and digital toys that line the circuit. A blast from the past for anyone who experienced the 1990s.
MODULO 00's
Amidst a matrix of LCD-hued lights and primitive virtual reality images, the Modulo truly stands out. With its signature red waistline providing a point of symmetry for the design, the classic concept car looks just as stunning reflected in the digital roadway of the 2000s. As the Modulo moves through representations of electric scooters, flip-style cellular phones, and even a space-bound rover, one can appreciate the evergreen quality of the concept car’s design. Made with the future in mind, the Modulo is the perfect subject for this piece of digital artwork. This lot also includes the physical artworks described above as well as the tour of the Pininfarina facilities and a visit to their Virtual Lab. For many of us, the early 2000s do not seem that far away; this represents an intriguing artwork for anyone who fondly recalls the decade.
MODULO 10’s
As the Modulo rockets through the past decade and into the future, one can begin to appreciate the elemental color selection for Pininfarina’s design. With the aesthetic language of the future seemingly cast in white plastic, the Modulo appears as a solid object, likely to live on long after our current era. Dodging drones, digital notifications, and virtual reality headgear, the Modulo moves into the modern age under a horizon dotted with power-generating windmills. This piece of digital artwork succeeds in part because of the elemental shape of the Modulo, and the fact that few concept cars have bettered its shape or clean design. Also accompanied by physical, signed artwork as well as the exclusive visit to Pininfarina’s design facilities, this NFT would make for a perfect gift for anyone interested in automotive design, past, present, and future. But time is running out on bidding for all of these artworks. Which decade would you choose?
