Alfa Romeo Carabo

The Alfa Romeo Carabo was designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone and built in 1968 on the chassis of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. The car featured a centrally mounted 1,995 cc V8 engine producing 230 hp at 8,800 rpm and 206 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a six-speed Colotti manual gearbox. The mechanical layout was rear-wheel drive with a tubular space-frame chassis. Suspension was fully independent with unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, hydraulic dampers, and anti-roll bars. Braking was by four ventilated discs with a dual-circuit hydraulic system. Dimensions were compact: 4,170 mm in length, 1,780 mm in width, 990 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,350 mm. Kerb weight was approximately 700 kg, resulting in a top speed near 260 km/h. The aerodynamic profile minimized drag, and the car’s overall proportions were designed for maximum stability at high speed. The body, made from lightweight composite materials, introduced new construction techniques combining fiberglass and aluminium components. Design features included sharp wedge lines, a tapering front end that merged seamlessly with the windscreen, and integrated air inlets and outlets for cooling. The most distinctive feature was the original door mechanism—doors hinged at the front and opening upward in a scissor motion. This innovation later appeared on production models such as the Lamborghini Countach. The exterior was finished in iridescent metallic green with orange accents, inspired by the beetle Carabus auratus, which gave the car its name, “Carabo.” The vehicle stood less than one meter tall, emphasizing its extreme wedge profile. The Alfa Romeo Carabo combined structural experimentation, aerodynamics, and mechanical efficiency within a single concept. It demonstrated Bertone’s engineering capabilities and Gandini’s exploration of geometric minimalism, setting a new standard for future sports car design.