Bertone

Year of foundation 1912-2014

Bertone, a name that immediately evokes some of the most iconic and futuristic automobiles of the 20th century, was one of the most important Italian coachbuilders and automotive design companies. Its long and successful history is a tale of genius, innovation, and, unfortunately, also of hardship.

The Origins: Giovanni Bertone (1912-1950)
The story begins in November 1912, when Giovanni Bertone, a young coachbuilder from Turin, founded "Carrozzeria Bertone." Initially, the company focused on building and repairing horse-drawn carriages. As the automobile age advanced, Bertone quickly adapted, specializing in the production of coachwork on existing car chassis, working for brands such as Fiat and Lancia.

The Golden Era: Nuccio Bertone and the Style Center (1950-1997)
The real turning point came after World War II, when management of the company passed to Giovanni's son, Giuseppe "Nuccio" Bertone. Nuccio, with his far-sighted vision and innate talent for design, divided the company into two branches: Carrozzeria Bertone for series production and Stile Bertone for design and engineering.

It was during this period that Bertone established itself as a global benchmark for automotive design. Nuccio Bertone had a unique ability to discover and nurture young designers who would go on to become true legends. Among the most illustrious names who worked alongside him were:

Giorgetto Giugiaro: Before founding his own company, Italdesign, Giugiaro worked for Bertone, leaving an indelible mark with models such as the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sprint and the Maserati 5000 GT.

Marcello Gandini: Considered one of the greatest geniuses of automotive design, Gandini created masterpieces at Bertone that redefined the concept of a "supercar." He is responsible for iconic lines such as the Lamborghini Miura, the Lancia Stratos, and the Lamborghini Countach.

Beyond these names, Bertone collaborated with the most important car manufacturers, creating models that have gone down in history:

Alfa Romeo: The collaboration was particularly fruitful, resulting in masterpieces such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint (1954), the B.A.T. series (a cutting-edge aerodynamics), and the Montreal (1970).

Lamborghini: Bertone designed almost all Lamborghinis of the classic era, from the Miura (1966) to the Countach (1971), all the way to the Diablo.

Fiat: Among the many models, the sporty Fiat X1/9 (1972) and the Fiat Ritmo Cabrio (1981) stand out.

Lancia: The Lancia Stratos Zero (1970) and the Lancia Stratos Stradale (1973) are examples of boldness and innovation that revolutionized the world of rallying.

Citroën: The collaboration led to the creation of the Citroën BX sedan (1982).

Maserati: The Khamsin (1974) and the Ghibli II (1992).

The Decline and the End (1997-2014)
After the death of Nuccio Bertone in 1997, the company faced a period of great instability. Management passed to his widow, Lilli Bertone, but the industry crisis and financial difficulties led the company into a slow but inexorable decline.

In 2009, the historic Grugliasco plant, where thousands of vehicles were produced, was sold to Fiat Group, which converted it to produce Maserati. Despite attempts to relaunch the company and continue its design activity under the "Stile Bertone" name, the economic situation remained critical.

In 2014, the Turin court declared Stile Bertone bankrupt, ending one of the most glorious chapters in Italian automotive design. The Bertone museum's precious collection of historic cars was auctioned and purchased by the ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano), which exhibited it at the Volandia museum.

Legacy and Rebirth
Although the company as it was known no longer exists, Bertone's legacy lives on. The brand was maintained, and in December 2022, the Bertone GB110, a limited-edition hypercar produced to celebrate the 110th anniversary of its founding, was announced, marking a new chapter in the history of this legendary brand.