Alfa Romeo Scarabeo Barchetta

The Alfa Romeo Scarabeo Barchetta, a concept car designed by Giuseppe Busso and Orazio Satta Puliga for the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo. The barchetta body type was built in an unique specimen. With Sergio Sartorelli at Officine Stampaggi Industriali responsible for the body design, the Scarabeo Coupé made its debut at the 1966 Paris Motor Show. Following the transfer of the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 project to Autodelta, Giuseppe Busso proposed to Satta Puliga and the design team the development of a new sports car with a rear engine. The Scarabeo aimed to utilize the same tubular chassis as the Tipo 33 but with a focus on affordability and weight reduction compared to previous models. Powered by the four-cylinder in-line engine from the Alfa Romeo GTA, the Scarabeo boasted a transverse rear-mounted configuration, optimizing space and performance. Despite the intricate planning and development, the Scarabeo project took an unexpected turn. While two prototypes were initially constructed, attention quickly shifted away from series production, redirecting focus towards Autodelta’s racing endeavors. As a result, the Alfa Romeo Scarabeo Barchetta remained a singular masterpiece, symbolizing the innovative spirit of Alfa Romeo’s design team. Today, this unique prototype is preserved within the confines of the Alfa Romeo Museum, a testament to its lasting legacy in automotive history.