The Carlo Abarth thought exuviate in a unique design interpretation of Lutz Colani

Back to Normal Now we are back to discussing one of the legendary cars ever made for the Italian brand, Abarth and what's even more great this car gets a unique design touch from a German industrial designer named Luigi 'Lutz' Colani. The car design is also said to be the way the designer puts into practice a combination of his own style ethos and the great thoughts of Carlo Abarth.

1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is said to be the way of Luigi 'Lutz' Colani as a designer puts into practice a combination of his own style ethos and the great thoughts of Carlo Abarth. (Picture from: Bonham)

As we all know, that Abarth has successful tested its aerodynamic design theory consistently in various serious efforts to break the world's speed records with small capacity cars. With the actual obsession is to increase straight line penetration and minimize their aerodynamic obstacles, due to the cars always runs by using a very small engine (usually ranging from 350 to 1300cc and rarely up to 2 liters).

At the front hood of the Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is pinned by the 3 emblems of Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Colani. (Picture from: Bonham)

Meanwhile the brilliant Austrian-born designer is obsessed with the influence of aerodynamics on the car performance. In 1958 Lutz Colani is commissioned to build an experimental aerodynamic car based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider platform. As the result, it appears directly recognizable as a Colani's body shape, and also shows an evidence of external influence on many of the Abarth's recently experiences. If You curious about another Luigi Colani's car creation just click here.

The remains of the Abarth Alfa Romeo 1000 (Bertone) is rebuilt by Luigi 'Lutz' Colani into the new-Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)

And the finished Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is appeared for the first time in the 1959 with long and pointed snout at glance seems to be a derivative of the Pinin Farina's practice, while the 'double bubble' roof line is a typical characteristic of the Abarth's motives. What's more interesting is the back of the car that might be unique at that time, and the attention was clearly given to air flow management under the car which in the period was said very sophisticated.

1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is appeared with long and pointed snout at glance seems to be a derivative of the Pinin Farina's practice. (Picture from: Bonham)

Initially, this Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo car is started its life as the 'prototype' of the Abarth 1000 GT Coupé or Alfa Romeo 1000 Abarth GT Bertone Coupé designed by Franco Scaglione and built on the Mario Colucci-designed tubular chassis for rigidity (the intention was for the car to be homologated for the GT category). It also powered by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (998 cc) engine was originally modified by Abarth with the gearbox mounted into the central backbone.

1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is developed as the 'prototype' with the Colucci-designed tubular chassis for rigidity (the intention was for the car to be homologated for the GT category). (Picture from: Bonham)

At the time, only three cars were built and once completed, the cars were tested at Monza before being taken to Avus near Berlin for speed runs where all of the cars destroyed during the tests, and at the end, the project was abandoned.

1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta is powered by an Alfa Romeo's 1300 cc engine which capable spewed out power of 110 bhp. (Picture from: Bonham)

In short, the car remains were bought by Herbert Schulze who asked Luigi Colani to build a new body which took inspiration from a number of sources such the 'double bubble' roof line which is very Abarth. Not only that, the car appeared with a weight of only 780 kg and powered of 110 bhp from its 1300 cc engine. The car is claimed to reach 210 kph (130 mph) and was also recognized as the first GT car that passed to run a lap at Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than 10 minutes.

1959 Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 Berlinetta's back was clearly given to air flow management under the car which in the period was said very sophisticated. (Picture from: Bonham)

After that the car's ownership status shifted to Peter Kaus (for the first time) before disappearing for some time, it ever had sold to Christophe Pund, then he sold it to another collector. The tangled history of the car ownership doesn't stop there; finally this unique car back again to Peter Kaus who fully restored the car to go into the Rosso Bianco Collection.

The Colani-Abarth Alfa Romeo 1300 had been on display in public for years and since the end of 2007 the unique-shaped car was on the Bonham auction list with the prices ranging from £65,000 to £75,000. Even so, this is the aerodyne of the 1950s, one of the rarest Abarth's car ever built, that's said also can be used on the road.  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAM | AUTOSITAL | WIKIPEDIA ]

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