Bertone, one of Italy’s most revered design houses, is reawakening an iconic automotive design that has long captured the imagination of car enthusiasts around the world—the 1969 Runabout. Originally created by the legendary Marcello Gandini, the Runabout was ahead of its time, boasting striking wedge shapes, geometric lines, and a unique nautical influence that made it stand out in the automotive world. Now, Bertone is breathing new life into this masterpiece with a modern reinterpretation, aptly named the RUNABOUT.

A Bold Tribute to a Classic Era

The RUNABOUT is more than just a nostalgic revival—it's a tribute to the golden age of Italian design. The original design of the 1969 Runabout, with its angular nose and L-shaped profile stretching from the roll bar, remains intact, but with a new edge that makes it ready for the modern era. This reinterpretation doesn’t just echo the past; it reinvents it, merging classic aesthetics with cutting-edge technology and performance.

The RUNABOUT isn’t just a blast from the past—it's a testament to the vision that Gandini started with, influencing the designs of famous cars like the FIAT X1/9 and Lancia Stratos. With this new version, Bertone captures the essence of the past while ensuring the car can hold its own in today’s performance-driven market.

Two Distinct Versions: Barchetta and Targa

Bertone's RUNABOUT offers two distinct driving setups, each embodying the spirit of Italian motoring in its own way:

Barchetta: For the purists, the Barchetta offers an unfiltered, open-air driving experience, where the absence of a windshield and roof allows you to truly feel the wind and the road beneath you. It's the raw, untamed version of the RUNABOUT, perfect for enthusiasts who want to experience the thrill of driving in its most liberated form.
Targa: The Targa version takes a more versatile approach, featuring a removable roof. This allows for a blend of open-air motoring and the comfort of an enclosed cabin when needed, catering to those who want the freedom of the Barchetta with the added practicality of a roof.

Both versions retain the classic wedge design and aggressive stance, but each offers its own driving experience to suit different tastes.

Modern Performance with Classic Purity

At the heart of the RUNABOUT is a V6 engine, offering a broad power range from 55 horsepower to an impressive 500 horsepower. This balance of power allows the RUNABOUT to feel nimble and lightweight while also delivering the performance expected from a modern supercar.

Lead designer Andrea Mocellin notes the challenge of combining classic aesthetics with modern performance. The goal was clear: “Capture the purity and light-footed character of the original, but give it the horsepower to handle today’s roads.” The result is a car that embodies the spirit of the original 1969 design but is built to perform on the challenging roads of the 21st century.

Bertone’s “Classic” Line: A New Era of Revival

The RUNABOUT marks the debut of Bertone’s new “Classic” line, an initiative dedicated to bringing the brand’s greatest designs back to life. This strategy isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a calculated move to reestablish Bertone as a leader in the automotive design world, particularly in a market that often favors well-established luxury and performance brands.

Bertone, which has faced financial challenges and periods of obscurity, is hoping that the RUNABOUT will reignite interest in its legacy and help solidify its position in the modern luxury car market. By revisiting one of its most famous designs, Bertone is making a bold statement: it’s back, and it’s here to stay.

Design: Retro-Futuristic Mastery

The RUNABOUT’s design is a stunning blend of retro-futurism and sleek, aggressive lines that are clearly built for the modern market. The car’s aerodynamic features, its bold stance, and the geometric flourishes make it an unmistakable presence on the road. It’s a car that celebrates the heritage of Bertone while embracing the new demands of high-performance luxury.

Produced in limited numbers, the RUNABOUT promises to be a rare find for those who appreciate not just the heritage of automotive design but also the innovative spirit that Bertone represents. The car is a rare combination of history and future, a vehicle that connects the past with tomorrow’s high-performance driving.

Conclusion: A New Era for Bertone

The return of the RUNABOUT is more than just a celebration of Bertone’s iconic past; it’s a bold statement of intent for the future. The car represents a fresh start for the brand, combining timeless Italian design with the modern performance capabilities that today’s car enthusiasts demand.

The RUNABOUT isn’t just a car—it’s a living, breathing tribute to one of Italy’s most significant contributions to automotive history. Bertone’s careful revival of this 1969 icon captures the spirit of a legendary era while propelling it into the future. For collectors and automotive enthusiasts alike, the RUNABOUT represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of history—redefined for the modern world.