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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Healey Cabriolet Bertone

1947Coachwork by Bertone

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1947
Body style
Cabriolet
Engine
Inline-4
Type
Fuori-serie

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Healey Cabriolet Bertone stands as a captivating fusion of British engineering prowess and Italian design finesse, crafted as a one-off masterpiece by Carrozzeria Bertone under the creative direction of Mario Revelli. Inspired by the successful series of Stanguellini’s, this cabriolet artfully marries the chassis of the British Healey with its potent four-cylinder 2.4-liter Riley engine, resulting in a harmonious blend of power and elegance. Displayed at the prestigious Carrozzieri Exhibition in Milan, the Healey Cabriolet Bertone garnered attention for its striking design, earning the moniker “Fish mouth” from contemporary journalists. This distinctive design feature, characterized by its unique front grille arrangement, exuded an air of aquatic grace and became synonymous with Bertone’s innovative approach to automotive styling. Built upon the foundation of the Healey chassis, this cabriolet encapsulated the spirit of open-air motoring, inviting drivers to embark on exhilarating journeys with the wind in their hair and the purr of the Riley engine at their command. The sleek lines and graceful curves of the bodywork effortlessly complemented the car’s dynamic performance, ensuring a captivating presence on both the road and the show circuit. While the Healey Cabriolet Bertone may have been a one-off creation, its influence extended beyond its singular existence. The “Fish mouth” design motif, so eloquently executed by Luigi Rapi, found its way onto several other chassis by Bertone, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of automotive design. With its timeless allure and impeccable craftsmanship, the Healey Cabriolet Bertone remains a testament to the collaborative spirit between British engineering ingenuity and Italian design brilliance. As a symbol of automotive excellence, it continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike, embodying the spirit of innovation and artistic expression that defines Carrozzeria Bertone’s storied legacy.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Fuori-serie
Production notes
1947 Bertone Healey show-car identity retained. Mario Revelli di Beaumont is the documented designer; Luigi Rapi is not retained as alternate designer absent execution-role evidence. Production count remains open.

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Designer · Documented
Mario Revelli di Beaumont
Manufacturer · Documented
Healey

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

Mostra della Carrozzeria General · legacy_preserved
Date
1947
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events. No award inferred.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Archivio Storico Giovanni Michelotti — elenco vetture www.archiviostoricomichelotti.it Designer archive official record association
News d'Anciennes — Bertone history, 1945–1969 newsdanciennes.com Independent coachbuilder history

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history1 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Mostra della Carrozzeria

THE CONVERSATION

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