The story of Bertone: the most controversial coachbuilder ever
The beginning of Bertone Bertone was founded in November 1912, when Giovanni Bertone, then aged 28, opened a workshop specialising in the construction and…
The Alfa Romeo importer for the United States, Max Hoffman which was based in New York, asked the top management of Alfa Romeo to produce a “spider” version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint and immediately committed to buying 2,500 units to be offered to the North American market. always very receptive to the “open” versions of sports cars.
In 1954 Rudolf Hruska contacted the Turin coachbuilders Bertone and Pininfarina, entrusting them with two chassis each, in order to carry out their proposals for the future “Giulietta Spider”. Nuccio Bertone presented two prototypes (the other one here), different in some small details, designed by Franco Scaglione, while the Pininfarina proposal was entrusted to the pencil of Franco Martinengo. Bertone’s proposal, with a markedly sporty appearance, was created while maintaining the striking silhouette of the “2000 Sportiva” concept, with a very profiled nose, faired headlights and characterized by rear fins. The Pininfarina proposal, on the other hand, was inspired by the Lancia Aurelia B24, with a more sober stylistic approach linked to the Italian tradition for convertible cars. On the latter fell the choice to start the production of the new spider.
The beginning of Bertone Bertone was founded in November 1912, when Giovanni Bertone, then aged 28, opened a workshop specialising in the construction and…
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