The Bertone Nuccio: The Eccentric Farewell from Italy's Legendary Coachbuilder, Now Up for Auction

A Legendary Coachbuilder’s Final Bow

Few names in the automotive world evoke as much passion and acclaim as Bertone. Known for penning icons like the Lamborghini Miura, Lancia Stratos, and the Alfa Romeo BAT concepts, Bertone helped define Italian car design for more than a century. Yet, as with all great legacies, the chapter eventually closes. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2015, marking the end of its golden era — though the Bertone brand has seen a recent revival under new stewardship. Just before its original curtain call, Bertone unveiled one of its most audacious and unique creations: the Bertone Nuccio. This singular concept car, named after Nuccio Bertone, son of the founder Giovanni, stands as the final true vision from the fabled design house — and remarkably, it's now available through RM Sotheby’s.

Distinctive Design and Creative Tribute

The Bertone Nuccio is more than a commemorative show car; it’s a bold homage to Bertone’s history of risk-taking and innovation. Drawing inspiration from the radical lines of the 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero, the Nuccio attempts a similar wedge-shaped aesthetic. However, it breaks convention: rather than achieving the Stratos Zero’s impossibly sleek silhouette, the Nuccio sports a captivatingly awkward stance. With a rear deck sitting higher than the front and an elongated windshield, the design is intentionally unconventional and almost otherworldly. From nearly every angle, the Nuccio exudes futuristic vibes.

Details That Pop

The vehicle’s visual impact is heightened by unique features. Organic, leaf-vein-shaped cutouts punctuate the front bumper, sills, rear wing, and bodywork, lending an avant-garde flair. The vibrant orange roof, adorned with geometric patterns, envelops the cockpit, enhancing the car’s dramatic tent-like cabin design. Up front, a full-width headlight does double duty — acting as both illumination and a blue-tinged forward brake light, warning pedestrians when the Nuccio decelerates.

Innovative Engineering and Influences

Bertone built the Nuccio entirely in-house, completing the ambitious project in just three and a half months. The Nuccio originally appeared as a static display at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show but was later transformed into a functional prototype for the 2012 Beijing Auto Show — a testament to Bertone's engineering prowess.

Ferrari Powertrain and Key Specs

Underneath the wild exterior beats the heart of a Ferrari. The running Nuccio concept borrows its drivetrain from the Ferrari F430, featuring a centrally mounted 4.3-liter V8 engine paired with a six-speed Graziano automated manual transmission, operated via column-mounted paddles. Notably, the front end was tweaked to include recognizable F430 headlights, while the windshield was expanded for better visibility and complemented by a solitary wiper. This potent combination delivers a robust 483 horsepower, ensuring that performance matches the visual drama.

A Rare Collectible with Modern Flair

Despite its exhilarating performance and Ferrari-proven drivetrain, the Nuccio’s radical styling made it a hard sell after its initial reveal, and it remained unsold until a private owner acquired it at a 2018 auction following Bertone's asset liquidation. The odometer shows approximately 18,099 miles, though much of this tally comes from the donor Ferrari F430, making the Nuccio even rarer — few concept cars can boast such provenance and usability.

Market Position and Collectability

As the definitive final work by the Bertone family, the Nuccio is an irreplaceable piece of automotive history. Its status as the swan song of a legendary Italian design house places it alongside the rarest and most significant concept cars in private collections. RM Sotheby’s expects this unique machine could fetch up to $585,000 at auction — an opportunity to secure a truly one-of-a-kind supercar with both historical significance and Ferrari-derived performance.

Conclusion: A True Automotive Oddity

The Bertone Nuccio may divide opinions with its daring looks, but there’s no denying its importance for car collectors and enthusiasts. As the last automotive vision crafted by the storied Bertone design house, it embodies innovation, passion, and a fearless approach to car design. For those who crave a unique supercar with genuine pedigree — including a 483-hp Ferrari V8 engine and a backstory that intertwines with Italy’s automotive royalty — the Nuccio stands in a league of its own.