Bertone was never just a design house. It was a mood, a provocation, and often a challenge to conservative thinking inside major automakers. From the 1950s through the 1980s especially, Bertone designs pushed proportions, redefined elegance, and occasionally frightened executives before becoming timeless. These ten cars represent Bertone at its best, when style and daring mattered as much as sales projections.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT 1963 to 1977
The Giulia Sprint GT set the template for the modern sport coupe. Clean lines, perfect glasshouse proportions, and a sense of motion even at rest made it instantly iconic. Giorgetto Giugiaro’s work here balanced aggression with restraint, creating a car that still looks right today. It was practical, beautiful, and engaging to drive, which explains why it became a cornerstone of Alfa Romeo’s golden era.
Lamborghini Miura 1966 to 1973
The Miura did not just change Lamborghini, it changed the entire supercar concept. Bertone’s Marcello Gandini placed a V12 behind the driver and wrapped it in impossibly low, sensual bodywork. The proportions were shocking for the time and still feel dramatic today. It looked fast standing still, and nothing else on the road came close visually. This is one of the most influential car designs ever created.
Lancia Stratos 1973 to 1978
The Stratos looks like it arrived from the future. Short wheelbase, wedge profile, wraparound windshield, and almost cartoonish aggression made it unlike anything else. Bertone designed it with rallying in mind, and it dominated because it was purpose built. It is raw, unapologetic, and instantly recognizable. Few cars better represent the fearless side of 1970s design.
Alfa Romeo Montreal 1970 to 1977
The Montreal is a car people either admire deeply or struggle to understand. Its slatted headlights, sculpted flanks, and muscular stance make it unmistakable. Bertone gave Alfa Romeo a design that was bold and slightly eccentric, perfectly matching the era. It may not have been a commercial success, but visually it captured everything daring about early 70s Italian design.
Fiat X1/9 1972 to 1989
The X1/9 proved that mid engine layout did not need exotic pricing. Bertone’s wedge shaped design looked like a scaled down supercar, complete with removable targa roof and sharp lines. It was compact, clever, and full of character. For many enthusiasts, this was their first taste of Italian design drama without supercar costs.
Lamborghini Countach 1974 to 1990
If the Miura was sensual, the Countach was confrontational. Gandini doubled down on sharp angles, scissor doors, and extreme proportions. It did not care about visibility or ease of use. It existed to shock and inspire. The Countach defined the poster car generation and locked the wedge shape permanently into supercar history.
Alfa Romeo 75 1985 to 1992
Bertone even made sedans feel special. The Alfa 75 combined sharp creases, strong shoulder lines, and purposeful stance with understated aggression. It looked modern without losing character. This was one of the last Alfas that felt truly driver focused, and its design matched that intent perfectly.
Citroën BX 1982 to 1994
The BX was a lesson in making practicality futuristic. Bertone’s angular design worked hand in hand with Citroën’s engineering philosophy. Flat panels, sharp edges, and unconventional proportions made it look ahead of its time. It was aerodynamic, efficient, and visually daring in a segment that was usually dull.
Fiat Dino Coupe 1967 to 1972
The Fiat Dino Coupe blended elegance with mechanical pedigree. Designed by Bertone, it housed a Ferrari derived V6 in a refined, understated body. It lacked the drama of a Ferrari badge, but its proportions and detailing were exceptional. Today it is appreciated as one of the most tasteful GT designs of its era.
Lancia Gamma Coupe 1976 to 1984
The Gamma Coupe is quiet sophistication made visible. Long hood, clean roofline, and subtle surfacing gave it presence without flash. Bertone resisted trends here, focusing on proportion and restraint. It never chased mass appeal, but it has aged gracefully, which is often the true test of good design.
Bertone’s legacy is not about one look or one era. It is about courage. These cars show a studio willing to take risks, challenge norms, and sometimes redefine entire categories. In a world of safe design, Bertone’s greatest achievement may simply be that its cars still make people stop and look.
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