Quote Originally Posted by 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???
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.


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





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

1953 Bertone Dodge Zeder Z-250



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