It's a shame to see Bertone go.

"DuckDraper" (jjkiger93gmailcom) 04/09/2014 at 10:21 • Filed to: None

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As you all probably know by now, Bertone has filed for bankruptcy. It's a damn shame since they have styled some of the most beautiful and iconic cars ever made. The Lancia Stratos, Lamborghini Miura, Alfa Romeo Montreal and Alfa Romeo GTA are just a few of their wonderful styling jobs. I always thought of Bertone as the "middle" of the 3 major Italian coachbuilders, that being Pininfarina, Bertone and Zagato. By "middle" I mean that Pininfarina is know for styling very voluptuous, curvy cars while Zagato is know for more, zany and out-there designs. Bertone strikes the middle ground between Pininfarina's sexy curves and Zagato's unconventional lines.

I just found out about this wonderful one-of-one BMW 2800 Spicup which shares styling similarities to the Montreal (One of my favorite Bertone designs.) It recently sold at Bonhams for 600K. Ze Germans probably thought it was way too radical so that's probably why it never saw a production version unlike the Montreal.

I was most surprised by this interior. Other than the lack of a big LCD infotainment screen and the inclusion of a real manual transmission, this looks like an interior of a modern-day concept car.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 10:46

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I'm a definite fan of Bertone. On their road cars they tend to bridge the gap between the conservative and refined Pininfarina and the frankly a little bonkers Zagato.

Just enough flair to be eye catching, and just enough refinement to be timeless.

DuckDraper > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/09/2014 at 10:51

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I just wish coach builders were still relevant outside of concept cars. It would be cool if Alfa made a new sedan that had the option to get the coachwork from the 3 design houses. It would definitely cost more for production but it would be unique in today's market.

Baskingshark > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 11:01

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There is a Volvo 262 Bertone Coupe at one of the local used car dealers in my town. They are asking $5,500. Seems like a decent ask if you are a Volvo guy or gal. http://www.dodiauto.com

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 11:07

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I would absolutely love that as well. They used to do it with the Giulia range. They had the in-house Berlinetta, the Bertone-designed GTV, the Pininfarina spider and the Zagato Junior.

A modern equivalent of what Zagato did with the Zagato junior would be brilliant. Sort of like a more production-oriented BMW Z4 Zagato.

DuckDraper > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/09/2014 at 11:36

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I love the zagato junior. It's soo cool looking!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 11:49

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It really is :) like a mini-Alfetta GTV

I almost bought one a year or so ago when I came into some inheritance money. It was a bit of a resto-project, but looked very promising. The body was a SWB early 1300, but it had been fitted with a 2.0l from a 2000 GTV (with the original 1300 engine offered with the car).

Asking price was £4000, but I decided I should probably finish my Spitfire 6 before picking something else up. Just as well as that's cost over twice what I'd originally budgeted for it :S

DuckDraper > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/09/2014 at 12:39

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I doubt I could find a similar car here in America for that kind of money. Alfas tend to be ludicrously expensive here. Especially GTVs.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 12:47

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It was hellaNP. The GTVs are getting bloody expensive over here as well. 5 years ago you oculd pick one up for £4000. Now, you'd be lucky to get one for £20,000 :S

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 14:56

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Saw one of these on Saturday

DuckDraper > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 04/09/2014 at 15:36

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Lucky. I have yet to see one in person.

Klaus Schmoll > Baskingshark 04/09/2014 at 15:38

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Read an article in a vintage car magazine the other day about their bankruptcy. They said that the intellectual property of their designs somehow ended up with a Chinese investment firm, and that they were going to build knock-offs of their most famous designs. Ferraris, Alfas, Lamborghinis. Powered by left-over VW engines from Brazil. A N/A Diesel with 78 hp, and a petrol engine with 80 hp. Because "that's all the power our customers wil need when sitting in Beijing traffic". I was ready to throw a fit when I remembered that this was their April issue, and that they tend to do shit like this every year.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > DuckDraper 04/09/2014 at 15:54

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