I recently read on the BBC website that Bertone has filed for bankruptcy. Apparently they've been in financial trouble for a while. Some of you may already be aware, but this is news to me. And sad news at that.
As the designer of our beloved 105 GTV and numerous other fabulous Italian cars, as well as plenty of other cars, I hope someone can rescue them. They are looking for an Italian buyer but it seems the courts will entertain a foreign buyer if that doesn't work out. There seems to be a Turkish buyer on the wings. I wonder if FIAT would consider it, but with so many brands under it's envelope and emerging from some financial restructuring themselves, I wouldn't think that would be an option. However, if they did, they could probably commission them to design all the Ferraris going forward and save some money with Pinninfaria. Some designs I ponder over the years that I love are obvious. Lancia Stratos, Fiat X1/9, Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 308GT4. Anyone have any favorites? I dream also that if I were a billionare (and the price is only 2.6 million), I'd scoop them up and own them. Then I would keep them designing as they do, but also turn them into another exotic car manufacturer. I'd have them make a modernized version of the Stratos in limited quantities per year. I'd place this somewhere above the new 4C. I'd also have them re-do the X1/9. The frame would be strengthened and a similar engine to the 4C chosen. I'd place this somewhere under the 4C. They would of course be called the Bertone Stratos and the Bertone X1/9. Incidentally, did anyone catch that Stratos made by Pinninfarina on the chassis of a Ferrari 430? It's pretty awesome, but I didn't like the longitudinal engine layout when the original was transverse. Luca DiMontezelmo loved it, but then killed it. Then I'd start a Bertone F1 team.... Oh well - to sleep, perchance to dream. Stefano Concord, CA -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
