The art of Italian coachbuilding stretches back decades, shaped by small ateliers and bold ideas, where the automobile was treated as sculpture as much as transportation. In the digital age, that tradition is beginning to experience a quiet renaissance, as both collectors and manufacturers rediscover the value of craft, proportion, and intent.
Few names embody that legacy more than Bertone, the renowned Italian design house with a legacy going back over a century. Established in 1912, Founder Giovanni and his son Nuccio helped several renowned automakers in conceiving some of the most beautiful cars in the world with Carrozzeria Bertone. The brand was instrumental in creating several noteworthy models for Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.
But perhaps, what Bertone is most synonymous with in the modern context is the wedge philosophy, a trend that emerged during what I like to refer to as the golden age of car design. Defined by Bertone’s chief designer at the time, Giorgetto Giugiaro, and a young Marcello Gandini, who is widely considered the father of the wedge, it sparked a movement that would influence the field of transportation design for decades to come.
This future-inspired shape was a departure from curvaceous forms, which at the time gave the world some of the iconic supercars that have now become automotive icons. Names like Countach and Stratos often spring to mind. The impact of the Wedge cannot be understated as it not only influenced popular culture, but became poster cars for entire generations.
Concept cars were all the rage in the post-war years, during the height of the space race in the 1960s. One of those radical concepts to emerge from that time, when the future-inspired wedge was still in its infancy, was the 1969 Runabout concept. Built on the bones of the humble Autobianchi A112, it was unveiled at the Turin Auto Show. The Runabout gained critical acclaim for some of its unique nautical-inspired details, taking inspiration from racing boats at the time; however, the mid-engine Barchetta (boat in Italian) was never intended for production.
But now, more than five decades on, its shape is finally reaching fruition, because Bertone is reviving that idea in production form as the first model of its newly established Classic Line. The modern Runabout arrives at a moment when the industry is increasingly preoccupied with heritage revivals. Familiar names are being reintroduced at a rapid pace, often leaning heavily on visual callbacks and emotional recognition. With the Runabout, the challenge was not how to replicate the past, but how to preserve its clarity without allowing the design to feel anchored to a single era.
Ahead of the Runabout's public debut later this week at the 50th Edition of Rétromobile in Paris at Ultimate Supercar Garage, I recently had the opportunity to speak with the Runabout's designer, Andrea Mocellin. An industry veteran with 15+ years of experience. His design work spans a diverse range of industries, working with OEMs from aviation to automotive and more. I specifically wanted to get his insights on some of the challenges of translating a 1960s concept into a modern, homologated automobile.
Building on the experience gained from the GB110, another highly Bertone-exclusive V12-powered flagship, built to commemorate 110 years of the brand, this low-slung exotic was not only designed by Mocellin but also revived the Bertone brand under renewed leadership in 2021 under the Ricci family.
Coming to this latest project, the modern Runabout began to gain traction back in late 2024. It will be offered across two body styles, Barchetta and Targa. The Barchetta is the more expressive of the two, open, light, and uncompromising, placing exposure and driving pleasure at the center. The Targa, meanwhile, introduces a removable carbon roof, adding versatility while preserving the purity of the silhouette. Mocellin acknowledged the difficulty of preserving the Runabout’s identity.
“This project was certainly challenging, but we worked very closely with engineering. We were able to respect the form of Gandini’s original concept, retaining design highlights, the signature wedge silhouette, the distinctive wheel arches, and the coda tronca tail. The rear end is perhaps one of the most emotionally enticing parts of the entire design,” Mocellin said. “It houses a lot of hardware, and one detail we’re particularly proud of is the neat integration of the exhaust pipes within the two central rectangular outlets.”
<- Gallery ->
The overall form of the modern-day Runabout continues to stay true to Bertone’s Zero principle, defined by just two dominant lines. An L-shaped profile runs from the roll bar to the nose, creating that clean, aforementioned wedge, while a horizontal lower line cuts through the side view, introducing a restrained nautical reference with the hull-like sill that not only houses an air intake but also serves as a contrast to the top.
Other key details include a dividing line on the hood, round taillights, an industrial-style engine cover, an exposed aluminum fuel cap, and a front S-duct. A key difference from the original ‘60s Barchetta concept is that you have doors that now open, and the pillar-mounted lights have been swapped for LED pop-up headlights. Look closely, and you'll also spot a neatly integrated light-bar.
I also touched on timelessness in design, a key factor in collector car circles, as these shapes and forms often influence how cars would be perceived forty or fifty years from now. This is especially relevant for a storied name like Bertone, because unlike many in today’s thriving restomod scene, Bertone can look at its own past for inspiration.
“It was incredibly important to have a future perspective while designing this limited-run car,” Mocellin explained. “We didn’t want to end up with a shape that would look dated in a couple of years. We wanted something that could stand the test of time.” That mindset also informed a restrained approach to technology. “The only modern element we included is a highly configurable digital display. The rest of the form stays true to the original, while adding modern performance.”
Inside, the same reductionist philosophy continues, inspired by naval architecture. The cabin is shaped around a hull-like tub that integrates occupants low within the vehicle. The cabin is well-appointed and is fitting of an automobile positioned as bespoke. You get high-quality finishes and exquisite craftsmanship using materials like traditional materials like leather and aluminium, combined with cutting-edge carbon fiber finishes.
Like the original, a nautical compass on the dash subtly reinforces the Runabout’s maritime inspiration on the decklike dashboard. A metal-gated manual shifter and exposed controls emphasize mechanical engagement.
As for performance, power comes from a mid-mounted 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine that produces 475 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Bertone quotes 0-62 mph at 4.1 seconds, with a top speed rated at 168 mph.
With a hand-built car like the Runabout, customization is central to its appeal. Beyond the already extensive list of configurations possible, each car will be highly configurable through Bertone's Centro Stile, with endless personalization options across both exterior and interior.
Alongside a standard palette of colors, Bertone will offer a carefully curated selection of finishes (matte/gloss) and materials, including variations for the dividing line, nautical-inspired side elements, retro-inspired wheels, interior trim, badging, seating, leather, and accessories such as bespoke car covers and fitted Italian luggage.
Among the available hues is a special green, personally confirmed by Nuccio Bertone’s daughter, reinforcing the project’s emotional link to the brand’s lineage. Beyond the standard offerings, an expanded list of optional colors will be available, including Bertone’s signature Arancio orange.
Andrea Mocelli concluded, "Ultimately, the emotion we want people to feel is surprise, through simplicity and presence. The Runabout should spark an immediate emotional connection: a blend of joy, curiosity, and admiration for craftsmanship."
Set to be displayed at Rétromobile 2026 alongside the original 1969 Runabout and the GB110, the new car forms a direct dialogue between Bertone's past and present. Pricing starts from €390,000 (~$461k) before taxes and duties, with production strictly limited to 25 examples.
View All Exotics & Supercars For Sale
Images: Bertone
