1955 Alfa Romeo Bertone BAT 9

Anyone who saw the BAT 5 concept car in 1953 will remember it vividly. It wasn’t just ahead of its time; it was a glimpse into the future. Yet, it remained practical, capable of everyday driving, high-speed performance, and impressive fuel efficiency.

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Franco Scaglione was the mastermind behind the design of the BAT, with Carrozzeria Nuccio Bertone in Turin, Italy, responsible for its construction on an Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint chassis. The car featured semi-enclosed wheels, large front-fender air vents, dramatic tailfins that curved inward, and a central fin dividing the rear backlight. The acronym BAT stands for "Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica," which translates to "Aerodynamic Engineering Sedan," reflecting the car's rounded front end and striking fins. Despite its coupe design, the term berlina wasn’t quite fitting, as the term berlinetta hadn't been coined yet.

Similar to BATs 1-4, BAT 6 never made it beyond the drawing board, though a BAT 7 was built in 1954. This model pushed aerodynamic principles even further by intensifying the features of BAT 5, such as fins that began at the windshield. BAT 8 existed solely as a concept, while BAT 9 debuted in 1955. This model was a more practical design, a step closer to a production-ready vehicle. It also provided a glimpse of the future, influencing the design of the 1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS, another creation by Scaglione.

For the BAT 9, built on the 1900 Sprint chassis once again, the fins lost their inward curve. Instead, they began behind the doors, rising steeply before tapering parallel to the roofline. The body was clean, with no air scoops or extractors, and while the front wheels were enclosed up to the hub, the rear wheels were nearly fully exposed. Notable features included a heavily curved windshield and an Alfa grille.

S.H. “Wacky” Arnolt, a foreign-car dealer from Chicago and vice-president of Bertone, was responsible for bringing the BAT 9 to the U.S.

In 1963, the car found its way to a dealership in Greenville, Michigan. A 16-year-old boy, eager to own it, somehow managed to acquire the car. Dr. Gary Kaberle, now a dentist in Traverse City, Michigan, has been the proud owner ever since. When he purchased it, the car had around 12,000 miles, but it wasn't in running condition. Even so, the car remains mostly original after 25 years. It has now traveled 20,000 miles, still sporting its original tires and leather, although the paint has been refreshed.

All three BAT models are still in existence, and there's a possibility they will be displayed together at this year's Pebble Beach event.

While the value of the unique BAT 9 is immeasurable, it holds no monetary significance for Dr. Kaberle. As he puts it, "I’d never sell it." And who could fault him for that?

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