George Smolinski Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 Three of the most-stunning concept cars of all time, the sculptural Alfa Romeo B.A.T. designs penned by Franco Scaglione and produced by Carrozzeria Bertone, will be offered as a single lot by RM Sotheby’s, in cooperation with Sotheby’s fine-arts division, during the Contemporary Art Evening Sale, livestreamed October 28 from New York. The Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica cars, created for the Turin auto salons of 1953, 1954 and 1955, are world-renowned for their artful approach to aerodynamics and aesthetics, and are just as astonishing today as they were in the 1950s, remaining instantly recognizable to generations of automotive and design enthusiasts. The dramatically curved tailfins of the B.A.T. 7 | David Schnabel/RM Sotheby’s Coming out of single long-term ownership, the B.A.T. trio is being offered to the public for the first time, according to an RM Sotheby’s news release. The sale of these iconic concept cars is a monumental event sure to attract global attention. “The three cars were more than just design studies and a showcase of what world’s best panel beaters and craftsmen could create; they were also an incredibly effective demonstration of forward-thinking design engineering and advanced aerodynamics,” the news release says. “Although designed around modest Alfa Romeo road car chassis, the cars stunned the public with a hitherto unseen blend of sculpture and efficiency, and with more than just a hint of fantasy and science-fiction resonating from each of the three designs.” The three B.A.T. concepts were never shown together in period | David Schnabel/RM Sotheby’s The Contemporary Art auction venue seems entirely appropriate for what are considered to be among the finest of automotive masterpieces. The estimated value for the three B.A.T. concept cars is $14 million to $20 million. RELATED: The final Fiero to be auctioned by GAA Classic Cars The cars are named with consecutive odd numbers starting with B.A.T. 5, Scaglione’s first effort to create a visual language that maximizes airflow and, in the process, produce a dramatic design that was fresh and memorable. Show-goers at the 1953 Turin show were starstruck by the spectacular shape, but the beauty was more than skin deep. “As with its successors, the running gear was sourced from the Alfa Romeo 1900, but it is a notable fact that the automaker would remain relatively uninvolved with the design process until the final design, the B.A.T. 9,” according to the release. “Output from this four-cylinder engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, was approximately 90 horsepower, yet the wind-cheating lines afforded the car a top speed approaching 125 mph. The B.A.T. 5 broke new ground in aerodynamics | “This remarkable performance was thanks to its drag coefficient, calculated at an incredibly low 0.23 Cd – impressive even by today’s standards. Its pontoon fenders, nose vents, wraparound glass cockpit, tapering tailfins and wheel skirts, all combined to produce both aerodynamic efficiency and a design considered to be, almost literally, ‘out of this world’.” After the triumphant debut of B.A.T. 5, Scaglione began working on B.A.T. 7, an update of the original design that was revealed in 1954 in Turin with much acclaim. “Given the first car’s success, Scaglione was encouraged to emphasize various characteristics of the original, and he obliged by narrowing the front air intakes, lowering the hood by over two inches, and lengthening the tailfins while adding increased angular pitch to the extremities,” the release continues. “The rear-wheel skirts and pronounced side vents remained. RELATED: Royal ownership enhances value at Bonhams’ Zoute auction B.A.T. 7 had even more-slippery aerodynamics “The resulting design’s coefficient of drag was, at 0.19 Cd, even more remarkable than its predecessor. This figure is lower than many 21st century super car designs, and this was achieved in 1954 without wind-tunnel testing or computer-aided design. A remarkable feat.” For the 1955 Turin show came B.A.T. 9, the final concept, in which Alfa Romeo took a greater role in making it not only visually exciting but with greater practicality as a road car. “For B.A.T. 9, Scaglione explored a roadworthy gran turismo interpretation of the theme with the fins reduced in size to improve rear visibility, and the rear wheel skirts eliminated,” RM Sotheby’s said. “A new pronounced beltline was added toward the rear, while a standard production triangular Giulietta grille, including the famed Milano crest, was fitted to the front grille, highlighting the car’s identity as an Alfa Romeo. B.A.T. 9 was designed to be more practical for the road “Despite this more practical approach to the design, the result proved to be the crescendo of the design iteration and was much admired for its jet-age design that perfectly combined both form and function.” The three B.A.T. cars were never shown together in period and were each sold off after their show tours. The first time they were united was in 1989 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, where they were presented by Nuccio Bertone, who oversaw their commission and construction. Shortly after the concours, the current owner acquired each car individually and had them restored, maintained and kept together ever since. The B.A.T. concepts have made some public appearances during the past 30 years, RM Sotheby’s notes, “and the cars are undoubtedly one of the most important single collections of vehicles in existence.” RELATED: Historic 1961 Jaguar E-type readied for RM Sotheby’s auction in London “To be able to offer the Alfa Romeo B.A.T cars as a single lot triptych at auction is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Rob Myers, chairman of RM Sotheby’s. “To do so in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art evening sale only adds further validation to the global significance of the B.A.T cars. “The importance of the offering of these cars cannot be underestimated either within the automotive or within the art, sculpture and design world.” These are not the first automobiles offered at Sotheby’s evening art auction, with a Ferrari Formula 1 car driven by Michael Schumacher sold at the sale in November 2017, noted David Galperin, head of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auctions in New York. “Designed and executed in the early 1950s, the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. automobiles represent the great creative ingenuity that marks post-war Italy and the European avant-garde at this period in history,” Galperin said. “Presented in the context of our Contemporary Art Evening Sale, alongside works by titans of post-war Italian art and design such as Lucio Fontana and Carlo Mollino, the sheer radicality, sculptural brilliance, and unique artistic vision of these automotive icons will be ever more magnified.” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 I will be following this. I’ve had two Alfas. The first was a 74 spider, with the spica Fuel Injection and chrome bumpers. I am furious with myself that I sold it. I was young and dumb. It had such a different feel than the little Brit roadsters of that era that I’ve had. these cars are fantasy type designs. I will be curious if the new owner will be revealed to the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 1 hour ago, John Bloom said: these cars are fantasy type designs. I will be curious if the new owner will be revealed to the public. Especially if he has a Googie-style 3-car garage to park them in!! Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 I had a 68 124 Spyder that is one of the few 4 cyl cars I've liked (generally prefer a 6 between 3 and 4 liters). Have had many others (half of the current herd are not 6s, one is a DOHC-4 but is also blown). BTW from the street my house looks like a conventional development 2-story with a 2 car garage. I prefer that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 (edited) I’m a pre war guy, but the trio sure look interesting. I question the logic of all three as one lot. Would like to inspect them in person........they must have interesting platforms to get the numbers up as high as they are estimating. Also wonder are they true street cars......or just show cars that can’t go down the road? It will be interesting to watch the results. My guess is a no sale.......... based on economic conditions and no similar sales for anything close that I am familiar with. Anyone have any comments? Just read they are four cylinder cars with 90 horsepower..........not enough motor to justify the numbers they are looking for........in my humble opinion. It takes super performance and style to get crushing numbers for most great cars..........time will tell. Edited October 20, 2020 by edinmass (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 I've seen mention of the B.A.T.s since the '50s and have never seen on being driven. Best to consider them art pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 (edited) Some art is just plain silly and 14 to 20 million would buy a lot of stunning cars like a few Duesenbergs, Pierce Arrows, Packards or Auburn’s. Now that would make a heck of an art show in my opinion. Edited October 21, 2020 by SC38DLS (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 (edited) Glad they are staying together, NYC auction, Phone in bidder winner. Bob Edited October 20, 2020 by 1937hd45 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 58 minutes ago, edinmass said: I question the logic of all three as one lot. I think it is probably shrewd because it plays on the unfortunate ugly side of humanity. Lets say it is in the middle of the range and all three could be bought for 18 million. For numbers sake, we'd be saying the price is 6 million each..........There will be one guy with hundreds of millions of dollars who will think, "I'll pay more than 6 million each for all three of them if it means that "I have them all, no one but me has a BAT Alfa." If there was a bigger inventory, this probably wouldn't work, to hard to get them all and be the only one with them. With 3, it is doable and this seller is setting it up on a platter for a wealthy person who would get joy knowing "They're all mine". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 John.........once any car becomes a seven figure car, it eliminates 99.998 percent of the buyers in the collector car hobby. Many people don’t realize how few seven figure cars there are that have been sold.........especially when you look at over 25 year old collector cars.......I’m not including the modern super cars that are prolific and common. Make the number eight figures, and you limit the sale to less than 50 people off the top of my head. 14-20 million estimate means a reserve of somewhere around 12 million. The cars are neat, interesting, unusual, rare......and all the other descriptives you can think of........but they are a small engined, low horsepower platform........and they are not beautiful..........they are aerodynamic and streamlined.........all indicators of lower values. Hell.......even at total give away prices......I couldn’t swing the cost of one. My main point being they aren’t stunning........just cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 I’m not convinced they are that cool. I think I would say they are unusual and different. No matter what I couldn’t even afford to pay the buyers commission on any one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Ed, I hear you...... Whenever I read a headline like "Rembrandt sells for 70 million", I always think, "really?". There are only a handful of magnificent estates in the US that have sold for 70 million, and someone thinks a canvas that is maybe 48 inches by 48 inches is worth more than a 60,000 square foot ocean front estate? To each his own. When I see a Ferrari 250 GTO sells for 48 million, I assume it isn't a car guy buying it (perhaps I'm wrong), I assume it is a rich guy, who is coached to buy it. Why? the exclusive nature of having one. I agree with your comment about them not being beautiful. I don't think they are as good looking as an early 60's Giulia Sprint Speciale, and those are low six figure cars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Luddy Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Don't know about the price of these B.A.T.'s but as far as automotive rolling sculpture with no regard other than artistic value, these are true metallic art! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 I always liked the Sprint Speciale, never had an Alfa though, does a FIAT 124 Spyder (first car I had with a five speed) count ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 12 hours ago, SC38DLS said: Some art is just plain silly and 14 to 20 million would buy a lot of stunning cars like a few Duesenbergs, Pierce Arrows, Packards or Auburn’s. Now that would make a heck of an art show in my opinion. Yes it does! Ever been to the Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 I was showing at the Keeneland concours a few years ago when the featured marque was Alfa. They had a 'bat' display, I think someone was recreating one of these? I did not really know what they were at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) For what, if anything, it may be worth, here's my "opinion" about this. Given the general approach, including the lack of extended/extensive pre-sale marketing hype, (off season) timing, (non-car) venue, etc, etc, I'm not convinced these are even seriously being offered. I wouldn't be surprised if these have been recently sold and/or RM-S is just putting on a publicity stunt show to offer a appearance that they're still viable player for sales of collectibles in post-virus world. And if I was into gambling, I'd bet the "The Buyer/High Bidder" will be "Anonymous" and likely not revealed anytime soon (for years ?). Definitely wouldn't be the first time these types of tactics being exhibited by an auction company. Edited October 22, 2020 by TTR (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) 38 minutes ago, TTR said: For what, if anything, it may be worth, here's my "opinion" about this. Given the general approach, including the lack of extended/extensive pre-sale marketing hype, (off season) timing, (non-car) venue, etc, etc, I'm not convinced these are even seriously being offered. I wouldn't be surprised if these have been recently sold and/or RM-S is just putting on a publicity stunt show to offer a appearance that they're still viable player for sales of collectibles in post-virus world. And if I was into gambling, I'd bet the "The Buyer/High Bidder" will be "Anonymous" and likely not revealed anytime soon (for years ?). Definitely wouldn't be the first time these types of tactics being exhibited by an auction company. I wish I could disagree with you..........but I don't think I can. Edited October 22, 2020 by edinmass (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) John.....I really think the cars are neat, highly collectible, and are rolling sculpture and works of art. I don't understand modern art at all.........or the prices they bring. Explain to me why a picture of a dirty toilet at a 7-11 is worth 125K? You get the idea. If you have to explain to me why the piece of art is special........then I'm just not going to understand it. When I went to the Louvre I didn't see one thing that I questioned as art, not one. Thus maybe I'm wrong as to value and maybe they well be bought as modern art..........we shall see. Edited October 22, 2020 by edinmass (see edit history) 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 These cars to me are like a lot of sculpturers. Picasso’s Chicago sculpture is interesting, very unique but you can’t get two people to agree on what the hell it is. The city paid a fortune for it, so that supposedly makes it an important part of the cities identity. I’ve probably passed by it hundreds of times and never once was impressed or overwhelmed thinking it was beautiful or wanted to just sit and look at it. On the other hand Buckingham fountain is gorgeous and I could sit and watch the water move for hours of enjoyment and relaxation. These cars would be ok to see once but I wouldn’t go out of my way for that privilege, now a Great White would be a totally different story. Once this current state the country is in I will figure out a way to see one in Florida or Hershey next year. Just my way of thinking what’s cool. dave s 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 People are fickle. I agree that this may be a marketing stunt and the buyer (real or imagined) won’t be made public. I suppose on the bright side one can say “ It is a good thing that everybody doesn’t like what I like, because if they did the things I like would cost me a lot more“. I bought a book on hit and miss engines for 6 dollars this weekend. Most of the hard backs were $10-$80 in the used bookstore. It is good to like things that others don’t care for! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) Let's not forget that art, in general and whether non-, 1-, 2- or 3-dimensional is not necessarily supposed to be beautiful, impressive, pleasant or even valuable. IMO, art, when created well, should evoke emotions, good or bad. As for these B.A.T. cars, I personally wouldn't pay much for them (not that I could afford one anyway), merely because I don't see them as practically usable motor vehicles, which for me is an absolute must in any car/vehicle. I'm not into display items nor could care less to "show" my cars to others or what they think of them. If I had an Atlantic or a '62 GTO I'd drive/use/treat it just like it was any other cars I own or have owned. Edited October 22, 2020 by TTR (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 One last comment to be fair.......which in today’s climate is rare and unusual.......... If I owned them, they would be better than a SJN Duesenberg Roadster............and I would be shouting at the top of my lungs there is nothing better..........so I do get and understand them, and the marketing of them. Maybe we should start a betting pool here on hammer price.............biggest problem is, even if there is a no sale, chandelier bidding will get them to 12m in less than three minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) Or based on my W.A.G., perhaps start betting pool for the fact that they will be "SOLD" (somewhere near estimate range ?), either to "Anonymous" or "Chandelier", while the other will end up being the underbidder ? 🙄 Edited October 22, 2020 by TTR (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 2 hours ago, edinmass said: Explain to me why a picture of a dirty toilet at a 7-11 is worth 125K? It would seem to me that much of the art world is just a legal way to launder money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 33 minutes ago, zepher said: It would seem to me that much of the art world is just a legal way to launder money. And not much different than the world of collecting cars of all ages and types. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD in CA Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Now someone can actually use the word “rare” in their description... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) 18 hours ago, JD in CA said: Now someone can actually use the word “rare” in their description... These being Italian, I'd prefer each "al dente".😉 Edited October 23, 2020 by TTR (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 (edited) And the synapse finally fired. The BATs may be art, but the Alfa from the '50s I wouldn't mind having (prefer the 6 cyl) is the Disco Volante. Edited October 24, 2020 by padgett (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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