Bertone Porsche 911! Not like any other 911 you've ever seen

[masraum]

I'd certainly never heard of this or seen photos that I remember.

https://www.pca.org/news/2018-07-31/one-bertone-porsche-911-sexiest-porsche-youve-never-seen

Aside from the 1939 Pact of Steel, Italo-German collaborations are rare indeed. While most dedicated Porschephiles are familiar with the Italian-designed 356 Abarth Carrera GTL, this one-off John von Neumann Bertone 911 is a mystery to all but the most dedicated Porsche fans. It’s drop-dead gorgeous, and it’s also for sale.

The car was conceived by famed California Porsche dealer/racer John von Neumann who was concerned that when 356 cabriolet production ended there would be no open Porsche to satisfy his California customers. News of the upcoming Targa didn’t allay his concerns.

Nuccio Bertone’s styling house agreed to take on the design of a prototype open 911. Bertone, generally played second fiddle to better known Pininfarina, but its work during the 1950s and 1960s was no less artful.

Alfa Romeo’s Montreal and the diminutive 850 Spider were both fantastic pieces of design from which Bertone cribbed a bit on this car. The rear quarter and cabin area were pure 850 and the louvered headlamp covers were very much Alfa Montreal. Unlike the production 911, it was strictly a two-seater car, or a due posto to the Italians.

It all worked. The von Neumann 911 was a very pretty car, particularly as originally displayed at the Geneva Motor Show of 1966. As originally built, the car came with a set of Campagnolo magnesium wheels similar to what would be available as an option on the Ferrari 246 Dino. The cream and dark red suited the car too. At some point, according to the auction catalog description, a set of Mahle “gas burner” alloy wheels were fitted (presumably to make it more identifiable as a Porsche) and the color was changed to black. It also gained a 2.0-liter “S” spec engine to replace the original 130-horsepower base 911 unit.

As it turns out, the Targa would satisfy open 911 fans just fine until 1983, when a 911 cabriolet finally materialized. The Bertone 911 would remain an interesting and somewhat obscure one-off, known to most from its 1966 motor show appearance, a few photos in Road & Track and an appearance at the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours.

The car will cross the block at the Gooding and Company auction in Pebble beach in about three weeks and it carries a pre-sale estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000.

[Tervuren]

I have pictures of it in one of my books.

I have found that most links that say "forgotten", or "like you've never seen", contain things I saw/read in books.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

I have pictures of it in one of my books.

I have found that most links that say "forgotten", or "like you've never seen", contain things I saw/read in books.

^This^ -

[pwd72s]

Why did the lines remind me of an old Fiat Spider?

[kach22i]

The two other cars mentioned.

https://luxedb.com/cars-to-drive-in-a-lifetime-alfa-romeo-montreal/alfa-romeo-montreal-16/


Fiat 850 - Pictures, posters, news and videos on your pursuit, hobbies, interests and worries


Certainly a very handsome car as are the two above.

This car might also be genetically related.

1964 Abarth 1000 Spider (Pininfarina)
http://www.carstyling.ru/en/car/1964_abarth_1000_spider/images/20409/

[Icemaster]

To each their own; to my eye its too much of an un-holy mashup.

Appreciate it from a monetary sense as a singular unique piece, just wouldnt invite it home to meet mom.

[javadog]

It's been widely discussed in various Porsche books for decades. There are a number of one-off cars built by assorted designers trying to curry favor with Porsche for one reason or another.

In fact there is a book devoted to unusual Porsches, some made by the factory, some not.

[Tobra]

I can see why they only built one.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Why did the lines remind me of an old Fiat Spider?

Me too. It’s pretty and very Italian looking.

[kach22i]

I think that if you liked the old Fiat 850 Spyder and don't expect this creation to look like a 911 that it's nice lines should please you.

However, if you view this as a desecration of your beloved classic 911, then the fewer the changes the better.

And this most certainly is a different direction with nothing preserved.

I think if you like the Corvair, then you would like this car too. Just don't expect it to wear the 911 badging.


https://www.pinterest.com/shorthairgent/chevrolet-corvair-1960-1969/


http://www.2040-cars.com/Chevrolet/Corvair/1965-chevy-corvair-monza-convertible-140hp-4speed-w-56-000-original-miles--464901/

[reachme]

That channel in the middle of the 911 hood is functional both for air circulation and the raised windshield wipers (lifted off the glass) fit perfectly without scratching the hood.

Would not suprise me at all for the Italians to put design over function but I bet these hoods would be scratched by the wipers.

[Laneco]

I find this Bertone 911 to be quite lovely. Also a fan of the second generation Corvair as well.

angela

[speeder]

That Corvair was a nice looking car.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by widebody911

^This^ -

I would just like to say I don't mind the original poster sharing the pictures and the car, there is a first time for everyone to discover something.

What I do mind is the "journalism" involved.

Kach22i does a lot of similar links with similar titles to things I've seen in books, and the links and their "journalism" are what give me agro rather than the pictures.

It does have me contemplating spending more time in the libraries of my state and less time online.

[sammyg2]

[svandamme]

The Bertone looks wrong to me, it's not sleek, it has an ackward back end and a face only a mother could love.
If anybody parked it behind my garage, i'de have it gutted for it's engine and parts and the carcas hauled off by the scrap metal dealer in under 24 hours

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I think if you like the Corvair, then you would like this car too. Just don't expect it to wear the 911 badging.

Not like any except for the Montreal

Liking this Corvair though, lovely details, beautiful looking car
https://petrolicious.com/films/1965-chevrolet-corvair-monza-handed-down-and-modified

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

Not like any except for the Montreal

Liking this Corvair though, lovely details, beautiful looking car
https://petrolicious.com/films/1965-chevrolet-corvair-monza-handed-down-and-modified

That model has a great roof line.