Neri & Bonacini Studio GT

The Neri & Bonacini Studio GT, also known as the Studio GT Due Litre, was a prototype sports car developed between 1966 and 1968 by the Modenese coachbuilders Neri and Bonacini, with Denis Santachiara serving as the project’s designer. Conceived as an ambitious effort to produce a roadgoing gran turismo under their own name, the vehicle represented a significant technical and stylistic undertaking for the period. The car was a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, two-seater coupé with a lightweight aluminum body of original design. Santachiara, who would later become a prominent figure in Italian industrial and conceptual design, was responsible for the initial technical drawings and renderings. His contribution to the Studio GT project marked an early and formative experience in his career, occurring while he was still very young and working in the heart of Italy’s automotive design culture in Modena. The chassis was an in-house development by Neri & Bonacini, featuring advanced structural solutions for the time. It consisted of a central sheet metal monocoque tub with steel tubular subframes at both the front and rear, and incorporated a fully independent suspension system of original design. The vehicle had a wheelbase of 92 inches (2,337 mm), a notably low overall height of 42 inches (1,067 mm), and track widths of 53 inches (front) and 52.5 inches (rear), giving it a compact yet purposeful stance. Designed as a true gran turismo, the Studio GT featured a fully trimmed and soundproofed interior, emphasizing both driving comfort and performance. Its bodywork displayed sleek, aerodynamic lines, including a fastback silhouette and, in its final version, pop-up headlights. The rear styling bore visual similarities to the contemporary Lamborghini Miura, further enhancing its sporting credentials. The initial design was centered around the 1.8-liter flat-four engine from the Lancia Flavia. However, due to uncertainty surrounding the engine’s long-term availability for production, the car was also tested with alternative powerplants, including a Ford Taunus V4 and an ATS V8. Between 1966 and 1968, only two prototypes of the Studio GT were completed. During this period, the partnership between Giorgio Neri and Luciano Bonacini came to an end. Neri subsequently attempted to find financial backing to commercialize the project, offering the second prototype along with tooling and design rights, but these efforts did not succeed. As a result, the vehicle never entered mass production. Although it remained a prototype, the Neri & Bonacini Studio GT represents an important and little-known chapter in Italian automotive history. It stands as a testament to the engineering capabilities and design innovation of its creators, as well as an early milestone in the career of Denis Santachiara, who would go on to become a significant figure in contemporary design. The car continues to attract interest among collectors and historians for its distinctive technical and aesthetic character.