An automotive design icon in model car
Solido 's green 1968 Carabo Bertone represents one of the most revolutionary concept cars in automotive history. This 1:43 scale model perfectly captures the futuristic spirit and bold lines of this legendary prototype designed by Marcello Gandini for the Italian coachbuilder Bertone. Intended for collectors with a passion for cars, this piece is a testament to an era when innovation and creativity continually pushed the boundaries of design.
This faithful reproduction is part of the tradition of excellence of Solido, a French manufacturer renowned for the quality of its model cars since the 1950s. Despite its damaged original box, this model car retains all its charm and constitutes a precious testimony to the golden age of Italian concept cars.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Carabo Bertone
- Brand: Bertone
- Year: 1968
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Green
- Manufacturer: Solido
- Protective case included: Yes (used condition)
The concept car that revolutionized the automobile
The Lancia Stratos HF Zero , better known as the Carabo Bertone, was born in 1968 in the workshops of the famous Turin coachbuilder. Marcello Gandini, then a young 29-year-old designer, envisioned this revolutionary creation as a laboratory of ideas for the future of the automobile. The prototype was based on a Lancia Stratos chassis and adopted strikingly modern lines, with its flat surfaces, sharp angles and triangular silhouette.
This concept car is distinguished by its remarkable technical innovations: scissor-style doors , a one-piece panoramic windshield, and a futuristic interior with extremely simplified controls. The fiberglass body, painted in its characteristic metallic green, perfectly captures the avant-garde spirit of the 1960s. Although it never entered production, the Carabo had a lasting influence on automotive design and foreshadowed the supercars of the following decades.
The impact of this prototype extended far beyond the circle of automobile enthusiasts. Exhibited at the most important international motor shows, the Carabo fascinated with its ability to embody the automobile of the future while remaining technically feasible. Its critical success helped establish Bertone's reputation as one of the most innovative coachbuilders of its time.
Bertone, master of Italian coachbuilding
Founded in 1912 by Giovanni Bertone in Turin, the Bertone carrozzeria quickly established itself as one of the world's leading automotive design companies. In the 1960s, under the leadership of Nuccio Bertone, the founder's son, the company experienced its golden age, producing a wealth of revolutionary creations. It was in this context of creative effervescence that the Carabo was born, a symbol of Italian audacity and genius.
The 1960s marked a decisive turning point for Bertone with the arrival of young talents like Marcello Gandini and Giorgetto Giugiaro. These visionary designers transformed the Turin workshop into a veritable laboratory of innovation, where creations were born that would forever mark the history of the automobile. The Carabo is part of this prestigious lineage, alongside the Lamborghini Miura and the Alfa Romeo Montreal.
This prosperous period allowed Bertone to develop a unique design philosophy, combining functionality and pure aesthetics. The Italian company thus became the preferred partner of the biggest European car brands, from Alfa Romeo to Lamborghini , including Ferrari .
The anecdote of the future automobile
The history of the Carabo Bertone contains a fascinating anecdote that perfectly illustrates the visionary spirit of the 1960s. When it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1968, the prototype generated such enthusiasm that visitors lined up to catch a glimpse of it. Among them was a young car enthusiast who would later become one of the world's greatest concept car collectors: Ralph Lauren .
The Carabo's influence extends far beyond the automotive world to popular culture. Its futuristic design inspires science fiction creators, and its distinctive lines can be found in numerous films of the 1970s and 1980s. This revolutionary aesthetic influenced a whole generation of artists and designers, well beyond the automotive world.
Another remarkable anecdote concerns the very genesis of the name "Carabo." Gandini was inspired by the beetle of the same name, an insect with green metallic reflections that fascinated the designer with its ability to change color depending on the angle of view. This biological metaphor finds its perfect translation in the prototype's painting, whose metallic green reflections evolve according to the light and perspective.
Even today, the Carabo continues to influence contemporary designers. Brands like Lamborghini and McLaren openly embrace the concept car's legacy in their most recent creations, testifying to the timeless significance of this ingenious creation. This influence continues in the world of modern concept cars and GT racing cars.
Complete your collection of exceptional model cars
This Carabo Bertone Solido is a natural fit for any collection dedicated to legendary concept cars or exceptional Italian creations. It pairs perfectly with other Bertone creations such as the Lamborghini Marzal or the Alfa Romeo Carabo, creating a cohesive ensemble centered around the creative genius of this legendary carrozzeria. Collectors of 1960s model cars will also find it an ideal addition to their series dedicated to this revolutionary decade.
Beyond its aesthetic value, this Solido model car represents a precious historical testimony to an era when the automobile explored all possibilities. It harmoniously interacts with the other futuristic creations in the collection, from Ferrari prototypes to Maserati concept cars, offering a panoramic vision of Italian automotive innovation.
This piece is particularly aimed at automotive design enthusiasts and knowledgeable collectors who recognize the historical significance of a model. Despite the used condition of its original box, it retains all of its heritage value and constitutes an excellent entry point into the world of prestigious 1/43 scale model cars . Fans of Solido creations will also discover one of the jewels of this exceptional French manufacturer.
