BERTONE RUNABOUT: A NEO-RETRO MASTERPIECE REVIVED
The Bertone Runabout is a hyper-limited neo-retro sports car that revives the legendary 1969 Bertone concept, blending Italian coachbuilding heritage with modern engineering in a run of just 25 units worldwide. Powered by a supercharged 3.5L V6 and offered in open Barchetta and removable-roof Targa configurations, it pairs analog driving purity with nautical-inspired craftsmanship. This guide covers the Runabout's design, configurations, performance, and price, and shows where to find similar coachbuilt machines.
What is the Bertone Runabout?
The Bertone Runabout is a design classic reborn, marking the triumphant return of the legendary 1969 concept car. After more than 50 years, Bertone breathes new life into this automotive icon with a bold blend of neo-retro aesthetics and cutting-edge engineering, perfectly embodying the spirit of Italian craftsmanship and innovation. Built in hyper-limited production with only 25 units, this exclusive masterpiece is designed for discerning enthusiasts who appreciate purity in design and unparalleled driving pleasure. As Bertone explains on its official Runabout page, the car translates the brand's historic design intuition into a modern, sculptural form.
Barchetta and Targa: the two Runabout configurations
Offered in two distinct configurations, the Runabout delivers a tailored experience to suit every taste. The Barchetta configuration promises an open-air, roofless driving experience, immersing the driver in the elements and evoking pure driving joy. For those seeking versatility, the Targa configuration features a removable roof while maintaining an uncompromising connection to the car's elegant aerodynamic lines. Both variants are adorned with nautical-inspired interior craftsmanship, featuring handcrafted bi-color leather trims, a minimalist steering design, and a reimagined nautical compass as a centerstage feature. Every detail celebrates analog simplicity and manual precision, making each drive an occasion, which explains the interest behind searches like Bertone Runabout interior and Bertone Runabout Targa.
Bertone Runabout specifications, performance and price
Under the hood, the Bertone Runabout offers powerful driving performance, with specifications that reach up to an impressive 460 horsepower from its 3.5L supercharged V6 engine. With a breathtaking 0 to 100 km/h acceleration of just 3 seconds, it is a car built to exude adrenaline and elegance in equal measure. Starting at 350,000 euros, this exclusive artisanal vehicle is not just a car, it is a piece of history, a design statement, and a joy machine. For buyers researching the Bertone Runabout price or whether the car is for sale, that figure reflects its strictly limited 25-unit production and fully bespoke construction. From its sculptural body to its handcrafted interior, the Runabout is both a nod to Bertone's storied past and a bold stride into the future of bespoke automotive design, as covered in detail by Top Gear.
Photo: BERTONE
Explore Italian coachbuilt cars at TheArsenale
If the Runabout captures the magic of Italian design for you, TheArsenale curates a world of rare coachbuilt machines. Browse the full TheArsenale car collection, then discover Italian hypercars like the Frangivento Sorpasso GT3 and the dramatic Frangivento Asfane Diecidieci. Lovers of neo-retro revivals will appreciate the Project M Ferrari 308 GTS restomod, while collectors of Bertone-linked artistry can admire the RIOCAM Deep Sea Bertone art piece.
