- The final Bertone concept to carry the company’s name heads to auction this July.
- Originally revealed in 2012, it reimagines the iconic Lancia Stratos Zero concept.
- Beneath the dramatic bodywork lie the chassis and V8 engine of a Ferrari F430.
Bertone has seen huge ups and downs over its history, and the Nuccio is a great example. In fact, it’s representative of both extremes. Unveiled in 2012 as a non-functional concept, it returned later that same year as a real, running, driving masterpiece. Now, that same example is headed to auction as the last Bertone car to bear the name of the design house.
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Designed by Bertone to pay homage to the Lancia Stratos Zero concept, the Nuccio is named for Giovanni Bertone’s son. It leverages a Ferrari F430 chassis, engine, and gearbox. That means the winner of this auction gets a 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8, F1-style paddle shifters, and a glorious exhaust note to boot.
More: Which Concept Car Are You Happy Never Hit Production?
Truly, though, the big highlight here is the stunning bodywork. The front of the car is about as aggressively wedged as possible. Wrap-around lighting does more than just look interesting, too. Bertone built in a brake light to let pedestrians ahead of the car know when it was coming to a stop. The huge windshield uses a single wiper, and the roof blends into the glass with arches inspired by a crocodile.
The cabin isn’t as wild, but it’s not just a rebadged Ferrari either. It features mechanical gauges, lots of red organically cut upholstery and a waterfall center console, while the switchgear sports a lot of metal surfaces with knurling. No doubt, it’s a very special place to spend time. The current owner bought it in 2018 from an auction including several Bertone assets and it’s been in their possession ever since.
Those interested can check out the auction at RM Sotheby’s this July. The auction house expects it to bring $460,000-$600,000. Bertone shut down its operation in 2014, but it’s not technically dead anymore.
While the Bertone family itself no longer has control, another company bought the rights and is trying to relaunch it with new cars. The GB110 is the result of that effort. Will it be as historically significant as the Nuccio decades from now? Can’t say for sure, but it will have to churn out a great number of successful designs in order to accomplish such a feat.
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