Bertone’s Most Beautiful Cars
Posted on: 10/06/2014After just over 100 years, one of the most prestigious companies in the world is currently in severe difficulties and in grave danger of going under. So perhaps it’s apposite that we take a look back and celebrate some of their greatest achievements.
Giovanni Bertone first founded the Bertone label in 1912. After World War II, the designer Nuccio Bertone took charge and the company expanded to cover styling, manufacture and coachbuilding. And in all of these disciplines, the distinctive Bertone touch pervades…
A hugely successful company that spanned a century, involving a quite extraordinary and unparalleled 100+ cars, encompassing designs for Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Citroen, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia, Lamborghini, Mercedes Benz, Opel and Volvo among others. Quite some feat, when one considers the developments in car technology and the radical changes in fashion and taste during that time.
So, after a huge amount of deliberation- and feel free to compose your own list- made more complicated by the fact that sometimes they came in to restyle an already existing model, like in the case of the Chevy Camaro, the Aston Martin Vanquish, or the Ferrari 250, my pick of the pantheon of Bertone creations are as follows:
Abarth 1500 Biposto 1952
Why? It is a quite stunning and adventurous design, when one considers all that had gone before, with its Cyclops central headlight and flowing lines.
How influential was it? Well, consider that having being unveiled at the 1952 Turin Motor Show, one was subsequently bought and displayed at the Packard factory in Detroit, meant as a source of inspiration to the makers and designers of cars coming along thereafter (GT6, anyone? It’s In The Game).
Fiat Dino Coupe 1967
A beautiful car, its design, creation and success paved the way for the incomparable Ferrari Dino. Need I say more.
Lamborghini Miura 1967
As mentioned in a previous blog, this car was immortalised by The Italian Job as the priceless sports car pushed over a cliff, but it needed to impress enough in the first place to be chosen AS that car. The fastest road-car of its time.
Lamborghini Countach 1971
When one considers the departure from the norm that this car represents by its very existence, it again harks back to Bertone origins and the impact that the Abarth Biposto caused upon its release. The Countach is testosterone personified, becoming the ultimate poster car for a generation. Interesting too that it came out in the Seventies, but is thought of as the quintessential car of the Eighties.
Fiat X1/9 1972
A mid-engined two seater, with safety incorporated into its design and great handling, Again, a big departure in design terms, taking inspiration not from cars, but speedboats, it’s a classic that inspired many imitators.
Ferrari 308 GT4 1974