This is the 1969 Autobianchi A112 Runabout, a concept car created by industrial design company, Gruppo Bertone, which was designed to appear similarly to the racing speedboats of the 1960’s. This unique design shown here was used as the early starting point for the development of the Fiat X1/9 of 1972. This two-seat, mid-engine UFO-looking creation was designed by the one and only Marcello Gandini. The A112 Runabout uses the same transverse mid-engine layout as the Lamborghini Miura of 1966, and demonstrated the classic ‘wedge-shape’ design. Upon seeing this Gandini creation, Italian industrialist and former principal shareholder of Fiat, Giovanni "Gianni" Agnelli approved the idea of developing this concept into what would later become the Fiat X1/9 production car. In September of 2015, ownership of this unique concept car officially left the hands of Bertone, when the car was passed on to the Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), when the club was able to acquire the Bertone Carrozzeria collection. If you’re unfamiliar with the Autobianchi name that’s attached to this unique car, the company was an Italian automobile manufacturer, which was created jointly by Bianchi, Pirelli and Fiat in 1955. Only a handful of models were produced under the ‘Autobianchi’ name, with this car shown here being one of them. Interestingly, the design of the A112 Runabout didn’t include any conventional doors, however, many unique features were added to this car during the development process such as a foil-shaped forward-swept rollbar, unique headlamps unlike any other vehicle, and a wild speedometer in the style of a nautical compass. The A112 Runabout was equipped from the factory with a new-for-1969 1,116cc Fiat 128 SOHC engine which was developed by Italian automobile and aircraft engine designer, Aurelio Lampredi, which was mated to a transverse four speed manual transmission.
How many made? 1
Engine: 1,116 cc (68.1 cu in) I4
Debut: 1969 Turin Motor Show
Top Speed: n/a
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @jpav._
Research: @rarecarsonly