2008 Alfa Romeo BAT 11dk

Amid turmoil surrounding ownership of Bertone between managers and Lilli Bertone came this spectacular BAT 11dk prototype. It was ordered by passionate enthusiast Gary Kaberle who owned one of the three class BATs made by Carrozzeria Bertone. He provided initial sketches to Bertone had them realize his dream: a modern interpretation of the BAT 9d he once owned.

In 2008, Bertone dropped their typical stand at the Geneva Motor Show and instead privately released the BAT 11dk in the city of Geneva. Subsequently, it was shipped to Gary Kaberle in Michigan and shown for the first time at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.

The new car takes some design cues from the originals. The most prominent of these is the huge curved rear wings from BAT 7. Like the three cars, it also has a rounded greenhouse, excellent proportions and a hint of art deco futurism. One of the more unique features are moving fenders that make clearance for front-wheel steering.

BAT 11 carries the initials dk for Kaberle’s late wife who died of breast cancer. The designer of the original BATs also fell ill with same disease “so we’re doing some things to dedicate the car to my wife and the Scaglione family” said Kaberle at the Detroit Auto Show.

Back in the sixties Nuccio Bertone designed a series of exceptional show cars of which his 5th, 7th and 11th designs became reality. Launched in consecutive years, the cars were made on top of the Alfa Romeo 1900 chassis. At the time, they were so far ahead of the scope of automotive design and so daring that they became legendary.

Unfortunately, BAT 11dk is only a non-functioning mock-up with operable doors, interior and drivetrain. Throughout the past year Gary Kaberle has displayed the car with hopes that someone might come up a couple million dollars to manufacture the design.