Walter De Silva Automotive (WDS) has introduced UNICUM, a new programme focused on the creation of one-off vehicles. Developed in partnership with Pininfarina, the initiative marks the launch of the DESILVA brand as a standalone entity for high-expression craftsmanship.
The UNICUM Philosophy
The programme operates under a specific mandate: "never a series." Each project is conceived as a singular creation, resulting in just one car at a time. The approach is designed to allow car collectors to complete their collections with vehicles rooted in their own personal histories. Unlike limited series production, UNICUM focuses on uniqueness as a primary condition, requiring an alignment between the owner, the designer, and the coachbuilder.
Manufacturing and Engineering
The vehicles will be produced at the Pininfarina atelier in Cambiano, Italy. Pininfarina provides the engineering expertise and manufacturing resources required to transform De Silva’s art direction into functional technical masterpieces. Every detail is shaped to measure, combining artisanal expertise with cutting-edge technology. The programme views the car as a cultural artefact and a form of applied art rather than a mass-produced product. This also represents the first instance of the DESILVA name acting as the primary brand for the project’s execution.
Strategic Partnership
The collaboration brings together two significant figures in automotive history. Walter De Silva, Chairman of Walter De Silva Automotive, and Paolo Dellachà, CEO of Pininfarina, have emphasized a shared pursuit of pure lines and precision. The partnership aims to revive the spirit of the golden age of bespoke coachbuilding, where each creative universe opens and closes with the completion of a single project.
Milestone Announcement
The programme was unveiled during "WDS 754," an event in Munich celebrating Walter De Silva’s 75th birthday and his 54-year career in design. The event served as the backdrop for announcing this new chapter in contemporary coachbuilding, framing the designer’s half-century of experience as the foundation for the new brand.
