Spotted-a one-off car that many of you didn't know existed..or will probably ever see

[Doppelgänger]

Honestly, I didn't quite realize what I was taking a picture of when I saw it and mind you I jumped out of my car with a quickness and started snappin' pics (remember that McLaren F1 I post pics of? Yeah, these two cars were driving across country with a couple Ferraris). BTW.. Dan Watkins is the owner...and owns the F1 as well as the Ferrari 612 and F430 Spyder that were in the group :)

I present - the Stile Bertone Mantide

http://img2.pict.com/18/49/77/1432769/0/800/img5480.jpg

aaaaaaaand if you're wondering just exactly what a Bertone Mantide is...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/in_the_showroom/article6293895.ece

[OTG Signs]

Cool corvette with a body kit

[EJ25RUN]

Wow...one in America? Did not expect that. A ZR1 chassis sits underneath it.

I know Bertone was taken up by Fiat last week.

[Doppelgänger]

Yeah, I can't figure out if this is the #1 car or what. The Mantide was just shown for the first time in April of this year...so I doubt they have had much time to make one or two more. But it is the only one in the 'States.

OTG- Might want to read up on exactly what/who Stile Bertone is before tossing out some generic comment :goodjob:

[OTG Signs]

OTG- Might want to read up on exactly what/who Stile Bertone is before tossing out some generic comment :goodjob:

Wheels/brakes are a direct take-off. That's a quick give-away. :)

Windscreen and roof look stock too from that angle.

[WTF?]

sick

[EJ25RUN]

Wheels/brakes are a direct take-off. That's a quick give-away. :)

Windscreen and roof look stock too from that angle.

But that's what they and other coach builders do.

In fact, up until the Audi days, almost every single Lamborghini was designed by Bertone.

[swollix]

Ugly Zr1.

[FoolsDrifFWD]

that some what of a let down. Was expecting something like this after seeing the F1.


http://www.subito.net/xx96/cars/images/BMW_Nazca_C2_%28Italdesign%29_03.jpg

[Elbow]

Not gonna lie, that's ugly as HELL.

[Doppelgänger]

Wheels/brakes are a direct take-off. That's a quick give-away. :)

Windscreen and roof look stock too from that angle.

Have you ever heard of the German company RUF? Probably in Gran Turismo. But do you know exactly what RUF does? Stile Bertone is similar, but instead of working along side one specific manufacturer (Porsche- in RUF's case), Bertone is hired by dozens of mfgs. to add design to production cars and also makes one-off custom designs. I bet if a Dusenberg was in front of you, you'd call it a Model-T :lmfao:

Yes, it's based on the C6 ZR-1 by using it's driveline and suspension...but that's where the similarties stop..and it's over 200lb lighter than a ZR-1 :eek:

[Doppelgänger]

I'm not going to say it's pretty... but it's still a hell of a sight to see. It's so incredibly far from being "a Corvette with a bodykit". It would be like trying to call a Gallardo a dressed up R8

[Elbow]

I'm not going to say it's pretty... but it's still a hell of a sight to see. It's so incredibly far from being "a Corvette with a bodykit". It would be like trying to call a Gallardo a dressed up R8

I don't disagree there. I usually like Bertone's work, this one I am just not feeling. The front looks kind of cool though.

[Doppelgänger]

I think the front resembles a Reventón.

[Evolunchbox]

Rare as hell!

Great catch!

[Evolunchbox]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/77B29ADD4E995A1B8625760B007F8C5F?OpenDocument

[Sammich]

Not gonna lie, that's ugly as HELL.X2 I CANT SEE HOW THATS SICK..BUT DEFINITELY RARE...AND JUST CUZ OF RARITY I'M 9% SURE I'D ROCK IT:D

[HachiDori]

Those fender wells are wack!

Cool car i guess, but eh

[VooDooXII]

I've only seen this online...never thought anyone would see one in person. Then again, I never thought I'd see a Yes! Roadster in person either.

Awesome that you got to see it though. Haha, it looks like something from Ridge Racer.

[EJ25RUN]

Here are the other cars Jason Castriota designed before he moved from Pininfarina to Bertone.

Pininfarina Maserati Birdcage 75th
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/2689064549_3968eb1882_b.jpg?t=1250008005

Pininfarina P4/5
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/FerrariP4-52.jpg?t=1250007995

Ferrari 612 Kappa
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/2006_Ferrari_612Kappa1.jpg?t=1250007997

Rolls Royce Hyperion
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq16/EJ25RUN/Pininfarina-Rolls-Royce_Hyperion_20.jpg?t=1250008001

[AirMax95]

Wait, who is Dan Watkins ?

[Evolunchbox]

Dan Watkins owns a software company.

[BobbyFresco]

Awesome that you were able to capture pics of it but I think it's ugly as sin.

[tandem]

0-62mph in 3.2sec
Shitttt

[alpine_aw11]

I think it looks amazing. You're a lucky man to have seen that.

[BAD SS]

GM High Tech Performance did an article on it about two or three months ago.

[VickNotic]

you said you were snapping pictures.. and only manage to get only 1 and a good one also was thinking this was a AUDI but is this really a zr1 inthere? prove it 8D

[RandomGuy]

nice pics, i just want some fresh coffee and snacks now, though

[Doppelgänger]

you said you were snapping pictures.. and only manage to get only 1 and a good one also was thinking this was a AUDI but is this really a zr1 inthere? prove it 8D

Look at the brakes :D

I wish I would have brought my mem card to work so I could post more..but I left it at home :(

[Ronsam2006]

I don't understand this....I mean $2M for a 200 lbs lighter body than the ZR1? I guess when you have money...

[Catnip]

lol. I'd rather spend almost $2m less and get a Corvette. It's so ugly it should still be a in a Hot Wheels package...

[§treet_§peed]

I thought it looked pretty cool

[Ronsam2006]

I would just buy a ZR1, gut the fuck out of it, and spend another 100,000 for the build and expect 1000 whp. So I just got 1000 whp and well over 200 lbs saved for under $300,000. I will spend the other $1.7 million on some Ferraris and the rest on lavish hotels to make use of the pussy I will be getting.

I mean seriously $2M for this hot wheels???

[ItsBlack]

was this the driver?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wcjPZ-qJFvE/SncvMvL5SSI/AAAAAAAAGeY/-z-NCDgVcrQ/s400/judgedredd.jpg

[speedminded]

I would just buy a ZR1, gut the fuck out of it, and spend another 100,000 for the build and expect 1000 whp. So I just got 1000 whp and well over 200 lbs saved for under $300,000. I will spend the other $1.7 million on some Ferraris and the rest on lavish hotels to make use of the pussy I will be getting.

I mean seriously $2M for this hot wheels???I wouldn't doubt it if the first dodge Neon cost a $1,000,000 to build once you add up all the design cost, R&D, and labor. Custom one-off fabrication is not cheap...especially when using high end technology and processes.

Bertone (pronounced Bur-tone-EEE) has been hired by at least a dozen manufacturers to come up with designs. I would classify them at the level at Pininfarina over RUF though. You can thank Bertone for the Lancia Stratos (and Stratos HF rally car), Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari Dino 308, etc. etc. etc. I'm not impressed with the Stiles Bertone's latest designs though, they remind me too much of 70's or 80's concept cars.

I heard Fiat just bought the Bertone plant 2 weeks ago but not the name, just the plant that they didn't really use anyways because the Opel Astra was being built there followed by a special edition Mini Cooper, but nothing the last two years. Bertones design facility, which wasn't included in the deal, is freaking AMAZING though! If Frank Lloyd Wright ever had cars in mind I would say he would have designed a place like the Stile Bertone facility. The website showing off the buildings was working less than a month ago now I can't seem to find any pics of it since they seperated and became their own firm. The former CEO of Aprilia is now head of Stiles Bertone. :ninja:


Marcello Gandini from Bertone designed the Lamborghini Miura, considered by many to be the most beautiful Lamborghini built.

http://www.autodrome-cannes.com/miura_sv_black_40th_ann.jpg



Imagine if Dodge has produced the Bertone Zeder when the Corvette came out...

1953 Bertone Dodge Zeder Z-250
http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/1953_Bertone_Dodge_Zeder_Z-250.jpg


I still see Bertone Volvos on the road today. Looks like a regular older volvo but with a chopped roof and enlarged c-pillars :tongue:

http://www.quickenme.com/bertone_side3.jpg

[LordZed]

was this the driver?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wcjPZ-qJFvE/SncvMvL5SSI/AAAAAAAAGeY/-z-NCDgVcrQ/s400/judgedredd.jpg

LMFAO!!! Hahaha!!

It's an amazing sight and must have ben wild to se in person. A bit extreme fo rmy taste, but still cool. You cant deny what Bertone has done for the automotive world and history. That car would look better in black

[Leadfoot_mf]

Have you ever heard of the German company RUF? Probably in Gran Turismo. But do you know exactly what RUF does? Stile Bertone is similar, but instead of working along side one specific manufacturer (Porsche- in RUF's case), Bertone is hired by dozens of mfgs. to add design to production cars and also makes one-off custom designs. I bet if a Dusenberg was in front of you, you'd call it a Model-T :lmfao:

Yes, it's based on the C6 ZR-1 by using it's driveline and suspension...but that's where the similarties stop..and it's over 200lb lighter than a ZR-1 :eek:

i would still rather have the zr1 and how much money would i save with my choice?

and how much commission are you getting for each one you sell?

[Doppelgänger]

My God people..this isn't a "What would you do with the money?" thread :facepalm:

[speedminded]

i would still rather have the zr1 and how much money would i save with my choice?

and how much commission are you getting for each one you sell?It was the prototype, of course it cost a TON of money to build!

[Elbow]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/15/monterey-2009-bertone-shows-off-zr1-based-mantide/

[LordZed]

^^ that alone just tells what an amazingly rare and cool encounter this was!! VERY NICE!!