NEWS | Nuccio concept by Bertone celebrates second leader of firm, we look back0

Bertone has released details of the “Nuccio”, a new concept car that kicks off Bertone’s 100th anniversary year. Founded by Giovanni Bertone in 1912, Bertone was taken over by son Giuseppe “Nuccio” who split the company in two divisions, design and manufacturing. Nuccio died in 1997, after being rightfully inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame for significant contribution to the world of car design. I figured with this centennial occasion I should look back at how Bertone filled in the last ten decades. I like what I found….

Bertone began as a coachbuilder in Turin when carriages ruled the cobblestone streets. After WWI, the company turned to motorcars and began their longstanding relationship with Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino with the FIAT 501 Sport Siluro Corsa, a very low slung proportion for a 1920 era automobile. Following were many cars for FIAT and Lancia, including an equally low beltline luxury sedan, the 1928 Lancia Lambda VIII, and others for lesser known marques like Itala, Diatto, and SPA.
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Fast forward a number of years, and Bertone cranks up the volume with a litany of impressive design exercises. I had always remembered Bertone as the creator of the Dino 246 ( and lesser known Dino 308, of which I came very close to buying were it not for maintenance costs ), Alfa B.A.T. concepts, as well as exercises the Volvo 760 Coupe. But, I had completely forgot about their equally long standing relationship with Lamborghini yielding some of my favorite cars of all time the Miura, and the Countach ( the original one, not the baroque 1980s be-winged and scooped monochrome I had on various posters in my bedroom, pre- design school of course ).
 

 
The conceptual exercises throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, including the Lamborghini Marzal ( whose silhouette previewed the Espada and whose glazed bodyside can be seen in BMW’s i8 ) and Lancia Stratos 0, which has alot of Countach in the profile and wheel openings.
 

 
All we can see in the “Nuccio” concept’s ideation sketches is very wedged car-forward profile that for me is reminiscent of the Carabo concept of 1968. For the rest we’ll have to wait for Geneva.
 

 

Finally, let’s not forget the Alfa Giuletta and specifically, the Giulietta SS. One look at the ortho plan view proportional sketch shows nothing short of genius. No computers here, fellas- pure skill. Check out Bertone’s own ten masterpieces on their website by clicking here. Happy Anniversary Bertone…and thanks for the memories!
 

Image credit: Bertone.it, carbodydesign.com