Very ugly

Considering the time period pulling up to the disco in that car would have been pretty cool.

 

Looks like a cross between a fiat X1/9 and a Triumph TR8

 

The shape of things to fix.

 

There is an old saying "A camel was a horse designed by a committee."

 

Yuk, the X19 was much nicer!

 

I cat believe I heard that saying on the radio a few hours ago for the first time!

 

It's got a certain weird retro/futuristic style that I quite like.

 

It is awfully ugly, but the way the targa works is slick.

 

Like it or not, it's still a rare car, only a couple of prototypes made, I think.

 

Thank God Ferrari went with the Pininfarina design instead of the Bertone design. But then again...after seeing that video, I'd say the decision was a no brainer! And yes, I agree that the X1-9 was much better looking than the Bertone 308 prototype.

Paul

 

X1/9 was my first impression as well.

 

This prototype from 1976 was designed by Marcello Gandini, the "inventor" of the wedge shape with the 1967 Bertone Carabo. He also designed the Lambo Miura, and Countache, as well as the little X1/9. He and Nuccio were chided by Fiat's Agnelli and Montabone as "making a baby Miura" with the X1/9.

Gandini is still designing cars......here's a link that mentions the Rainbow.

http://www.van-zeeland.com/Special%20Interest/Design/Gandini/MG_Main.html

Incidentally....Bertone has filed for the Italian equivalent of bankruptcy protection within the last year. Would be terrible to see them go.

 

The Rainbow was based on the 308 GT4 which was already a Bertone design.

http://www.qv500.com/ferrari308gt4p2.php

 

Ha!

 

But it seems to have the GTB headlights....

Somehow this rainbox monstrosity reminds me of a mid 1980's citroën car, the AXEL. Maybe it's the wheels, or the tail lights...

Bertone DID have some saying in several Citroën designs, by the way. The 1990's Citroën XM has a very Bertonesk nose (pics #3 and 4).... Amazing, two decades between the GT4 and the XM, and yet Bertone was drawing up the same nose on cars....
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It would have been great to be able to stow the targa on my gts that easily. I do like the seats.

 

I think that is the Magnum PI targa top. (see opening scene of Magnum PI season 1, episode 1)

 

I had the Revell model of it back in the day (circa '79).

 

I actually sat in the one at the Bertone collection/headquarters. It is an interesting car.
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