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"QUANTUM SHOT" #21(rev)
Link - by Avi Abrams

      A "Batmobile" That Never Was: Alfa Romeo B.A.T. Series, 1953-1955

      Jaw-Dropping. That's the best way to describe these four-wheeled winged
      wonders. "Startling", "futuristic" and "mind-blowing" would work, too.
      This visually arresting trio of Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnicas - B.A.T.
      for short - were as radical in their day as the original Lamborghini
      Countach. 
      
      Judging from these photographs, B.A.T.5 looked remarkably like
      the Batmobile, but it was never intended to be one. It did, however,
      become a symbol of the dynamism and daring in postwar Italian design - a
      beauty to behold.

      
      
      
      (images via
        Supercars)

      Each year between 1953 and 1955, Bertone and Alfa Romeo presented a BAT
      concept at the Turin Autoshow: the BATs 5, 7 and 9. 1955 saw the final
      Bertone design for the B.A.T. project - a series of prototypes which
      displayed the peak of styling and runaway creativity. "The B.A.T. 9 did
      away with the marked wing lines of the previous models in favour of a
      cleaner, more sober lines" (more info).

      
      
      
      (images via
        1,
        2,
        3)

      The concept behind the Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnicas was to make car's
      body as free of aerodynamic drag and turbulence as possible. "B.A.T. 7 was
      even more over-the-top than the B.A.T. 5, with wings that swooped in more
      toward the rear glass, a small fin running the length of the
      split-rear-window center section, and proportions even more startling than
      those of its predecessor".

      
      
      (images via
        Supercars)

      "The general design, proportions, and styling cues of the B.A.T. 9 were
      seen on a number of other Bertone design projects throughout the balance
      of the 1950s; these included a one-off Abarth 215 A coupe, Bertone's
      limited-production Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale, and a one-off Maserati 3500
      GT in 1959." (Supercars) North American car designers also picked some clues from these Italian
      beauties; witness Virgil Exner's creation from 1960 -
      1960 Ghia Selene II (see his other designs
      here) -

      
      (images via
        Imperial Club)

      As for the Alfa-Romeo's BAT cars, it's safe to say that the world never
      before or since witnessed such audacious design on a series of three
      unique cars, each appearing at the same show a year apart. Overall, the
      B.A.T.s were instrumental in bringing the Italian creativity in design to
      world's eager attention.

      Another "Bat" has flown in 2008. An updated classic, still sporting
        wild original forms

      Well, it seems that the world demanded "more of a good thing", and the
      Bertone Design firm lovingly obliged. This is a work of love, a statement,
      a new take on the old curvacious madness... but judge for yourself: (more
      info)

      
      
      
      
      (images via
        1,
        2)

      Have another look at this original set of design eye-candies. Take your
      pick!

      
      (image via)

      CONTINUE TO "PININFARINA ALFA ROMEO" CONCEPT CARS! ->




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YOUR COMMENTS::

3 Comments:

Anonymous Paul Dow said...

Could you imagine what the repair bill would be for a minor fender-bender on one of those?

___  
Anonymous Careerfield said...

I would never take it out of the garage

___  
Anonymous walker1812 said...

I was the class host for the Bat11 at the Amelia Island car show this past spring... beautiful car and the guy who owns it is a really nice guy

___  

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