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Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padova 2021 best of

1950 Lancia Aurelia B50 Stabilimenti Farina

1950 Lancia Aurelia B50 Stabilimenti Farina

Take the construction skills of Stabilimenti Farina and a design by "maestro" Giovanni Michelotti and you get this beautiful Lancia Aurelia B50 coupè built in only 5 specimens (!)

1965 Fiat Decathlon

1965 Fiat Decathlon

It was parked outside, unoticed and shy: This prototype made in 1965 is based on a 500 D chassis with fiberglass body made by Carrozzeria Sibona Bassano. It was owned by the Agnelli family who had used it in the summer residence of Villar Perosa.

1961 Fiat 600 Spider Moretti

1961 Fiat 600 Spider Moretti

The pretty Fiat 600 D cabriolet designed by Giovanni Michelotti was unveiled by Moretti at the 1961 Turin Auto Show. It was restored losing its white paint in favour of this red color. it was not the only car in this slider which faced this destiny. What a pity...

2007 Fiat Barchetta Bertone

2007 Fiat Barchetta Bertone

In 2007, Bertone released this concept car as proposal for a 2nd generation of the Barchetta. Built to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the famous company, the car was based on the Fiat Panda chassis and featured an aluminum body divided into two sections connected to each other by the glass surface of the doors. It is amazing!

1956 Fiat 1100 TV Printemps

1956 Fiat 1100 TV Printemps

This Fiat 1100 designed by Michelotti was presented by Vignale at the “Contest of Elegance of the Pincio” in Rome in autumn of 1956. The car introduced a lot of analogies with a prototype of Michelotti realized for Ghia and also with the Vignale Cadillac Coupe “Bill Frick”.

1953 Moretti 750 Alger - Le Cap

1953 Moretti 750 Alger - Le Cap

This is the last survivor of a 5 units made in pre-series. The “Moretti 750 Alger – Le Cap” was often the subject of publications on automotive history texts and in 1954 it was displayed with full honors, at the Fiat stand at the Turin Motor Show.

1995 Lancia Kayak

1995 Lancia Kayak

The Kayak, presented for the first time at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show, was a Bertone interpretation of a modern Lancia coupé in line with the traditions of the manufacturer. The car is a modern reworking of the style canons of the Italian coupé, of the great cars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Its gorgeous!

1947 Fiat 500 Panoramica

1947 Fiat 500 Panoramica

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Ugo Zagato abandoned his Milanese home and sought refuge on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Here his desire to experiment with new forms led Zagato to create an original automotive concept, the so-called 'Panoramica', destined to mark the rebirth of his coachworks in the post-war period. This is his interpretation on the Topolino chassis.

1954 Fiat 1100 TV Canta

1954 Fiat 1100 TV Canta

The italian Studebaker Commander: Canta asked Michelotti to take inspiration from the american company creating this beautiful coupè, until it got attentions from the Studebaker lawyers forcing Canta to change slightly the design. Also this car, completely restored, was originally painted white.

2011 Jaguar B99

2011 Jaguar B99

What a surprise! The B99 name stands for B for Bertone and 99 for Bertone’s 99th year in operation. It was first shown to the public on the Bertone stand at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Gorgeous and spectacular. All the Jag Lovers agree with us: It needed to be mass produced!

After a week from “Auto e Moto d’Epoca Padova” we finally found the time to take stock of the situation. This year’s show was spectacular, full of surprises and more. Among these, certainly part of the Bertone collection. As usual, we have put together a top 10 of prototypes and special bodied cars to share with you. Let us know what you think in the comments.

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Ford Bimini

Some cars are more than machines; they’re chapters of history, preserving the creativity and bold thinking of their time. The Ford Bimini Concept Car, built by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia, is one such treasure. With its innovative design and fascinating journey, the Bimini remains a remarkable example of mid-century automotive experimentation. Today, this unique car sits in Texas, waiting to find the right home and gain the recognition it deserves.

A Hidden Gem Discovered in Texas

In the early 1990s, a restoration shop in Duncanville, Texas, became the unlikely guardian of a forgotten piece of automotive history. A customer brought the car in, seeking advice on a restoration project. Though the vehicle stood out with its unusual features, little was known about its origins at the time.

Months later, the customer returned and offered an unexpected trade: the car in exchange for a paint job on his motorhome. The deal was accepted, and the vehicle was left in the care of the shop’s skilled owners. After further investigation and correspondence with Ghia and Ford, its true identity was revealed; it was the Ford Bimini Concept Car, a one-off prototype built in the mid-1950s.

Ford Bimini

What Made the Bimini Unique?

The Bimini was designed with a focus on practicality and innovation. It featured forward-thinking solutions aimed at improving urban mobility and usability. Among its standout characteristics were:

  • Pivoting Cockpit Roof: Instead of traditional doors, the entire roof lifted upward, providing easier access to the interior. This clever design allowed for effortless entry, even in tight parking spaces.
  • Spacious Floor Area: The car’s open floor plan maximized utility, making it ideal for both passengers and light cargo.
  • Ergonomic Steering Column: The steering wheel moved in tandem with the dashboard, offering a customizable and comfortable driving experience.
Ford Bimini

These features, while unconventional, demonstrated an exciting vision for the future of car design. Though the Bimini never entered production, it remains a fascinating exploration of what could have been.

A Remarkable Story of Survival

The Bimini’s journey through history is as extraordinary as its design. Many concept cars of the era were scrapped or lost after their initial use. The Bimini, however, was saved from destruction thanks to the efforts of a Ford employee who rescued it from a junkyard.

The car also narrowly avoided being lost at sea. It was originally scheduled for transport aboard the Andrea Doria, the Italian ocean liner that tragically sank in 1956 off the coast of Nantucket. The ship’s sinking claimed hundreds of lives and cargo, including the highly anticipated Chrysler Norseman, another significant concept car of the era. The Bimini, however, never made it aboard the doomed ship, sparing it from the fate that befell the Norseman.

This near miss adds another layer of intrigue to the Bimini’s history, marking it as one of the few surviving prototypes from a time when concept cars were frequently discarded or destroyed.

Preserving an Icon

By the early 2000s, the Bimini had been appraised at values ranging from $2 million to $7 million, depending on the collector and the market. Despite receiving offers, including one for $250,000, its owners chose to hold onto the car, recognizing its immense historical and cultural value.

Following expert advice, the Bimini has remained unrestored to preserve its original condition. It currently resides in a shop in North Richland Hills, Texas, gathering dust but retaining every bit of its historical allure.

Seeking the Right Home

The Ford Bimini Concept Car is more than just a car; it’s a piece of history, a symbol of innovation, and a testament to the creativity of mid-century automotive design. This rare gem deserves to be preserved and celebrated, whether in a museum, a private collection, or under the care of an enthusiast who recognizes its true significance.

Collectors and historians interested in the Bimini now have an opportunity to bring this extraordinary vehicle into the spotlight. Its story of survival and its groundbreaking design make it a priceless artifact waiting for the right steward.

A Legacy Worth Preserving

The Ford Bimini is not just a car; it’s a bridge to an era of boundless imagination in the automotive world. Its story; from near destruction to rediscovery; reminds us of the importance of preserving history and celebrating the ingenuity of those who dared to dream.

This unique concept car is now poised to begin its next chapter. Whether restored to its original glory or kept as a preserved relic, the Bimini is a timeless symbol of innovation, ready to inspire generations to come.