Bertone revives the Runabout concept – and it’s for sale

55 years ago, at the 1969 Turin International Motorshow, Bertone unveiled a concept car inspired by the Autobianchi A112, a rival of the Mini. While the A112 was a simple small compact car, the concept car – called the Runabout – had a revolutionary futuristic design, like many of the concept cars from Italian studios at the time.

Marcello Gandini, the designer, was inspired by the racing boats of the 1960s when the styled the Runabout. It would later inspire other designers working on the Fiat X1/9 and Lancia Stratos with its sharp frontal features and wedged form.

Bertone, now 112 years old, has now reinterpreted the Runabout concept which will not just be a one-off model but will be offered as a limited edition model. It is the second of Bertone’s limited edition range (the first being the GB110 unveiled in June 2024) and the first in its new CLASSIC line.

To honour Bertone’s legacy, the 21^st century Runabout will be offered as an open-top Barchetta or a Targa with a removable roof. Designed for two, the cabin emphasizes exclusivity with a near shoulder-to-shoulder seating arrangement, and, unlike its 1969 predecessor, will have side-door access.

The Runabout follows the ‘Zero principle’ in terms of design and geometry. Its distinctive profile can be easily memorized in just 2 seconds, with the car’s two main lines clearly visible. The L-shape on the side, starting from the roll bar and continuing all the way to the front, thereby creates a wedge shape, while the horizontal bottom line gives the car a somewhat nautical feel.

The original 1969 Runabout, which sat on a Fiat 128 platform, was powered by a small 55 bhp 1.1-litre engine from the Autobianchi but the modern Runabout that the public can buy will have a 500 bhp V6 engine.

Being produced in a small volume, Bertone will be able to ensure a high standard of craftsmanship for this neo-retro model.

”The new Bertone Runabout is not just a car but a tribute to Italy’s tradition of iconic sportscars. Crafted with precision, it celebrates pure geometry and design with only two defining lines — capturing the essence of elegance and the joy of driving.”