Abarth 1500 Bertone B.A.T. 1 Coupe Wins Gran Turismo Trophy at Pebble Beach 2010
For the third consecutive year, Kazunori Yamauchi has been invited to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance to present the Gran Turismo Trophy – an award “to support those who make efforts to preserve irreplaceable, precious automotive culture for future generations to come”. This year, it goes to the one and only 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe in existence – an unusual, quirky, and significant car. From the official announcement:
Designed by master designer Franco Scaglione, working for Bertone at the time, the Abarth 1500 Biposto boasted not only a mix of strong character and unique style, but first-class aerodynamics as well. The eye-opening triple headlights and the carved out features of the front and rear fenders gave it its own unique look, while the shape of the rear featured hints of the coming of the popular tailfin design. The overall design later proved to produce superior aerodynamics in wind tunnel testing, thanks in part to Scaglione’s previous study of aeronautical engineering. Scaglione was later credited for having “anticipated the flow of air” way back in the 1950s.
There was only one Abarth 1500 Biposto manufactured, and it was shown in the 1952 Torino Auto Show. After that it was purchased by Packard of the United States, and it disappeared from the public’s eye. This historically significant car was restored to perfection by Chris Drake of the United Kingdom, and brought to the United States to appear at the 2010 Concours de Elegance in Pebble Beach where it took home the Gran Turismo Trophy.
Read more on the car’s fascinating history right here – it was regularly used by its previous owner to pick up his children from school!
It is likely – though not guaranteed – this little Abarth will be coming to a Gran Turismo game near you. The 2008 winner – a 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400 Bertoni Prototype – was just confirmed for GT5 at Gamescom 2010. Last year’s winner, a 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2, has yet to be seen…
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Newest comments are displayed first.
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August 29th, 2010 at 4:31 pm - #missionfailed
Mr Scaglione may of stumbled on an idea on air flow at the rear, but appears to have had complete disregard about impact damage to limbs and torsos that the airs scoops and front sharp casing around the front light arrangements would cause.
Well done Mr Scaglione, it’s a classic ‘Deathrace 2000′ car!
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August 28th, 2010 at 1:30 pm - #GTSeries Maniac
It ain’t ugly,it’s a rare jewell :3
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August 28th, 2010 at 1:15 pm - #Rebel
one of the ugliest car ive ever seen, please dont tell me this will be one of the premium cars in the game
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August 28th, 2010 at 10:24 am - #DemonBlade
Well said Strikey! The Radical needs to be in the game as a premium model. Once I’ve finished the main career mode, the next few months (and years) afterwards will be spent hopefully thrashing a Radical around the ‘ring and bettering my lap times. I certainly won’t be spending any longer than is absolutely necessary driving that Fiat!
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August 28th, 2010 at 6:53 am - #Sam
Europe the land of Classic ans super cars
Thats why GT5 is very popular, because Europeans know quality when they see it.
not like the Americans were all they have is Smoke and mirrors a.k.a “Definitive”
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August 28th, 2010 at 12:05 pm - #JTSnooks
I’m not sure what your point is. Pebble Beach is in California, about as far as you can get from Europe in the northern hemisphere. Grow up.
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August 28th, 2010 at 6:15 am - #Gran Turismo Vet
Incredible, the Gran Turismo brand has become such an important part of the Automotive industry and I didn`t even notice. I`m proud of PD.
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August 27th, 2010 at 4:28 pm - #Detroitbb
Beautiful piece of art (that moves)!
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August 27th, 2010 at 4:21 pm - #HugoStiglitz_420
this better not be a premium. why is there no pictures of the new Bugatti Veyron SS? that was EASILY the best car at pebble beach
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August 27th, 2010 at 5:19 pm - #FlareKR
I toast to that! Bugatti has made in my opinion, the most beautiful cars in history, past and present!
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August 28th, 2010 at 12:12 am - #HugoStiglitz_420
I’m hoping the Bugatti EB110 is in GT5 & some of the older ones. Maybe the SS will be in GT5 after the record it set & what it did at the top gear track. We can only hope
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August 27th, 2010 at 3:57 pm - #Hernan
Wow, that car is horrible.
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August 27th, 2010 at 12:45 pm - #Peter Emo
Kaz looks good in a suit!
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August 27th, 2010 at 12:36 pm - #magburner
It’s nice to see KY in a suit!
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August 27th, 2010 at 5:20 pm - #FlareKR
It’s kinda funny how the woman he’s always with is taller than him, haha. Is that his wife?
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August 27th, 2010 at 12:32 pm - #jjaisli
While it’s nice to know that the Biposto Coupe will likely make it into the game at some point, I would hope Kazunori is also taking a long, hard look at the beautiful Ferrari 250 LM sitting there. It’s also a former Le Mans winner and would really compliment the F330 P4.
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August 27th, 2010 at 2:45 pm - #Vulcao
Yea, that Ferrari would be very welcome in the game, especially because of its wheels *-*.
I like also those very very old cars whose lights are “outside”. Some of them have been tuned nowadays, becoming “hot rods”. Maybe in GT6…
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August 28th, 2010 at 12:42 am - #Mach5
The 250 LM is my favorite Ferrari so I’d really love that. The 330 P4, Mark IV and XJ13 were the best news to come out of Gamescon (well, that a Karting) and I guess it’s not unreasonable to expect this beauty to also be part of GT5.
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August 27th, 2010 at 12:29 pm - #Corey
Gotta love 50′s design.
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August 27th, 2010 at 11:56 am - #AaronAnonymous
I wish I were there since I live only two hours away. It’s quite reassuring knowing that one of, and/or rare, cars are being preserved; great classic and beautiful cars.
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August 27th, 2010 at 11:38 am - #Patrocles
WTG KY!
what a strange, but fascinating, automobile!
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August 27th, 2010 at 11:23 am - #Mr Latte
Gees this man must run up some serious AIRMILES!
Interesting looking car though…
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August 27th, 2010 at 9:53 am - #maxpontiac
Car looks ugly from certain vantage points, but you can really see the applied science of aerodynamics.
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August 27th, 2010 at 9:36 am - #G-Ram
I’d almost bet my own car that this will begin to be meticulously modeled and added as DLC.
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August 27th, 2010 at 8:35 am - #Nero9
This is not “Gran Turismo 5 News at GTPlanet”.
Why post this? It’s of no use to anyone. It has NOTHING to do with GT5.-
August 27th, 2010 at 8:56 am - #Paulo
Why must people complain about posts like this, IF YOU WANT ONLY OFFICIAL GT NEWS, THEN GO TO GRAN-TURISMO.COM
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August 27th, 2010 at 10:17 am - #Fritter
@Nero9
One, this is the lead designer of GT5 giving out this trophy.
Two, on a related point, the trophy means that this car will probably be in GT5 at some point, whether at launch or with DLC.
To say it has NOTHING to do with GT5 is ludicrous. Also, it looks to me like people are enjoying this post, so it was ‘of use’ to a lot of people.On topic, this car is pretty unique, and I like the front end, but I’m not sure if I like the cutouts by the wheels.
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August 27th, 2010 at 1:30 pm - #trk29
Oh snap! hehe
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August 28th, 2010 at 4:28 am - #Jakemania
KITTY GOT WET! Nero, you might as well shut up. Jordan has the right to post whatever he wants. In fact, if he really wanted to, he could make a post about a shiny new pair of sneakers he just bought. HE decides whether a post is relevant or not, not you. Do ALL of the posts interest me personally? No. But I’m not gonna moan about it because GTPlanet a great site. It’s certainly where I get all of my GT5 news.
If you don’t support the site, then GTFO?I second Fritter’s post.
What does Kaz have to do with GT5? Hmmm…Back to the actual post… That is one ugly car IMO! It’s not my style anyhow. The other cars look pretty nice though.
Jordan, I don’t know how you put up with some of these people haha. I know I would sure get frustrated trying to keep people entertained till release and having some knucklehead moan about it. Hope things are getting better for ya.
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Hope the LFA in the background of the SLR makes it into the game