Space-age classics to sell this week

Flying under the hammer

Wow – just look at them. And we’re sure many of you don’t need telling that these intoxicating three classics are the Alfa Romeo ‘BAT’ concept cars.

They might date from the 1950s, but they still look spectacularly space-age today. Plus, believe it or not, these aren’t mere idle concepts, but fully functioning, road-legal motor cars. 

And the big news is they’re being sold, for the first time as a set, in just a few days, and it’s estimated they could achieve an incredible $14-20m.

We can’t resist and we’re sure you can’t either, so let’s take a closer look and find out more…

Sensational studies

While these BAT cars might look like something from another planet, or indeed like something Batman himself might have in his Gotham City garage, there’s a perfectly simple explanation for the name.

‘BAT’ stands for Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica, and these were a trio of design studies by Franco Scaglione, the spellbinding coachwork crafted by Carrozzeria Bertone.

Dynamically daring

The BAT 5, 7 and 9d concepts were presented at the Turin motor show in 1953, 1954 and 1955 respectively, and as their ‘Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica’ name suggests and their gorgeous bodies reinforce, they were pioneers in aerodynamics.

And because they were introduced in three consecutive years, in period they were never shown together – indeed they’re seldom seen full stop.

Now they’re being sold as a single lot by RM Sotheby’s in New York on 28 October 2020. Let’s find out more.

Where it all began

The first of these automotive jewels is this, BAT 5, from 1953, which made its debut in May of that year in Turin.

Florence-born Scaglione’s work in creating this car went through four full-size scale models before stage five when the metalwork was crafted.

And you can just see where the headlights swing away and into the front wings when not in use – practicality has never looked so good.

Sleek and stable

Unconstrained by financial imitations and the realities of manufacturing or real-life use, concept cars permit designers to explore their most wild and most progressive ideas, which is exactly what Scaglione did with with this Alfa Romeo.

While a pair of vents at the front suck air into the radiator, out back the fins gently curve towards each other and the car’s tapered rear, the sleek spine providing further aerodynamic stability.

The follow-up

Like its predecessor, BAT 7 of 1954 was based on Alfa Romeo’s 1900, and after BAT 5’s popularity, Scaglione took his ideas yet further – indeed, while BAT 5’s drag coefficient is said to be around 0.23Cd, BAT 7’s was 0.19Cd. It also shed about 200lbs, weighing in at around 2200lbs.

The front intakes are narrower than before, the bonnet more than two inches lower and the even longer tailfins are more acutely angled.

Last-minute hero

The development and creation of chassis number AR1900C 01485, as the 1954 Alfa Romeo BAT 7 is also known, wasn’t always a dream, though.

It was unveiled in April ’54, but it was finished so late that Nuccio Bertone and Franco Scaglione had to drive it themselves to the Turin show – rather handy that it was road legal, then. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, it was received even more enthusiastically than BAT 5.

The final hurrah

There’s something different about BAT 9d of 1955. This is because Alfa Romeo said this third concept had to look more like the marque’s production models and be more practical, too, leading this to be a more gran turismo take on the theme.

Once again, Alfa’s 1900 was the basis, and on BAT 9d the Giulietta grille is a clear nod to the real world, likewise its sleekly incased but more obvious headlamps.

Clearer vision

At the back, while the fins are still present, here they are smaller which improves rearward visibility, plus this is the only car in the BAT triology to have exposed rear wheels.

BAT 9d also has a pronounced beltline, another link to contemporary Alfa Romeo production cars.

Curtain call

Like the two before it, BAT 9d received a rapturous response when revealed at the 1955 Turin show.

And it brought to a close one of the most breathtaking and important automotive triptychs of all time.

Otherworldly creations

Out in the open, these three look like alien vehicles on a lunar landscape, but the progression of Scaglione’s concept is clear to see, from the dashing, dark grey BAT 5, to the extreme, electric blue BAT 7, and finally to the more reserved, silver BAT 9d.

And his principles of aerodynamic efficiency are clear to see in all three.

Gorgeous in grey

Now being better acquainted with this triology’s story, key points of BAT 5’s design are more apparent.

Note the teardrop-shaped cabin with its sleek, wraparaound windows, the side vents that help cool the front brakes, and also the rear-wheel spats. 

Smooth operator

This car’s jet-age appearance is reinforced by this spectacular perspective – you can well believe that in top-speed tests it achieved 123.6mph.

Just five months after BAT 5 made its debut, in October 1953 Bertone sold it to American importer Stanley ‘Wacky’ Arnolt. It was exhibited and also driven on the road for several years by Arnolt – he repainted in a darker shade of silver, too.

Hanging on

While it is an unconventional car for regular road use, its cabin looks very inviting, the red upholstery echoing the colour of the car’s grille.

Arnolt sold BAT 5 in 1956 to a friend, Joe Prysak, who, astonishingly, devised a way to hang the car from the rafters of his shop, where it remained for many years. Indeed, he owned the car for three decades.

Getting the details right

Despite its space-age looks, the stylish script on the speedometer reminds you this is a car of the ’50s.

In 1987, Prysak sold this car to Said Marouf of La Jolla, California, who then embarked on a year-long restoration during which it was returned to its original colour.

Shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 1988, BAT 5 was a class winner.

Something new

All this may never have happened had Scaglione and Bertone not collaborated on the Abarth 1500 Biposto of 1952.

After this, Alfa Romeo’s interest in exploring the black magic of aerodynamics was piqued.

Passion project

Indeed, had Scaglione’s approach to Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina born fruit, the designer might never have had his meeting with Giuseppe ‘Nuccio’ Bertone.

But with Bertone and Alfa Romeo, Scaglione was able to combine his passions for great aesthetics, maths and science, and in so doing create three outstanding, unique concept cars.

A powerful partnership

Of course, Scaglione didn’t just design dream cars during his career with Bertone.

Other cars to be shaped by this partnership include Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta Sprint and Sprint Speciale, and the NSU Sport Prinz Coupé.

A step further

BAT 7’s almost supernatural look is only emphasised in this setting – imagine seeing this beside you at the traffic lights!

It made its debut in April ’54, and once the show season was over it was acquired by Alfa Romeo in January ’55 and exhibited at the New York and Chicago motor shows

Under the bonnet

As we’ve already said, all three BAT cars weren’t the kind of concepts that were just for show – all could be driven.

And all were powered by a four-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine, which was mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Surprisingly normal

Indeed, the fact that this is a ‘normal car’, albeit one with exceptional bodywork, continues when you slip inside the right-hand-drive BAT 7.

And after two years on the show circuit, it was BAT 7’s turn to transition to life in the real world.

A star turn?

BAT 7’s next move was to San Francisco-based importer Charles Rezzaghim, who bought it on behalf of Alfa Romeo enthusiast and restauranteur Al Williams.

Williams’ Fairmont Hotel penthouse was known to host parties for A-list celebrities.

Off to the races

Then in March 1955, it was off to Palm Springs in southern California, where it was campaigned in Sports Car Club of America races.

Later it was shown in Los Angeles, at Bill Doheny’s Ferrari sales office.

Ready for the chop!

Next, it was back to San Francisco where – brace yourself – its eye-catching rear fins were removed. Well, they did hamper rearward visibility, which isn’t ideal in a car you’re using on the road.

Then in the custodianship of Ken Shaff, BAT 7 was repainted in Rolls-Royce sand and black, before being shown at 1958’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Fin-ished

Its next keeper was Col James Sorrell, who sent it to the Van Nuys shop of Sal di Natale, an Italian-car specialist, where it had a little work, then was untouched, before di Natale took ownership and kept it for 17 years.

In 1986, di Natale and BAT 7 parted company, and its new owner embarked on a two-year restoration, during which its fins were reinstated and the whole car was returned to its original specification.

The final piece

Also sold soon after its ’55 debut, BAT 9d then appeared in March 1956 in the car park at the Sebring endurance race, and Chicago dealer Harry Woodnorth, together with Tom Barrett, bought it, the former eventually taking sole ownership.

Next it was off to Michigan, where new owner Ed Beseler painted it red, and after his death a few years later, Arlen Regis bought it at an estate sale and displayed the car at Chapin Motors of Greenville, which he managed.

Young gun

It was here that, in 1962, a then 16-year-old Gary Kaberle saw it and begged Regis to sell it to him – Kaberle succeeded and was the proud owner for 28 years, driving it regularly and keeping it mechanically sound.

He showed it at the Henry Ford Museum’s annual Sports Cars in Review in the late ’60s and at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance in 1987.

He also brought the exterior back to best and repainted it silver.

Always apart

We can imagine that these tan seats were a very comfortable place in which to pass the miles.

But, of course, although all three BAT cars are now together, for decades this was not the case.

Come together

The first time the three were brought together was the 1989 edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, because Nuccio Bertone was in Pasadena to receive an honorary degree at the Art Center College of Design.

And this special moment prompted a collector to ask each of the car’s owners if they would sell their BAT cars to him, so they could be permanently united.

Travelling treats

The three have since returned to Europe and were shown several times, including at Genoa in February 1992, at an event to celebrate Bertone’s 80th anniversary in Turin, and at the ’93 Rétromobile.

Back in the US, they were exhibited at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, for a decade, during which time they were also shown in the UK, before a return to Pebble Beach in 2005 and a showcase at the Concorso Italiano in 2009.

Automotive art

The three BAT cars have also been enjoyed by guests at Goodwood’s Cartier Style et Luxe concours at the Festival of Speed, and at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and recognising their aesthetic qualities, they formed part of an exhibition at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2016.

And, of course, last November they were shown for four days in Berkeley Square, London.

Together forever

Now this jaw-dropping trio, arguably the most sensational series of concept cars ever built, is looking for a new home once again.

The Alfa Romeo BAT 5, 7 and 9b will be sold as a single lot, and it is the first time they’ve been offered for sale as a set.

Their auction will be broadcast around the world from Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York on 28 October 2020, and it is estimated that these three spectacular cars could achieve $14-20m.