Bertone & Scaglione's 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupé

Possibly influenced by futuristic dream cars that were starting to appear in America, or maybe there was simply something in the automotive styling air in those days.  But, whatever it was, designer Franco Scaglione (1916-1993), working at Bertone, broke away from current Italian carrozzeria practices with his 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupé.

The one-off design was based on the Fiat 1400 with a motor souped-up Abarth-style to the 1500 cc category.  The body style is coupé, so the term biposto, meaning two-seater, is somewhat redundant.

The Biposto is seen by a number of observers as a precursor of Scaglione's 1953 Alfa Romeo Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica B.A.T. 5.  Given their timing, I can see how Scaglione's thinking might progress from one concept to another.  However, the three B.A.T. designs were exercises in attaining extreme aerodynamic efficiency, whereas the Biposto is something of a mixed bag in that regard.

Gallery

Very strong frontal stying featuring a Tucker-like central headlight.  There are no bumpers to dilute the theme.

The general body shape suggests attention was paid to aerodynamic considerations, though I haven't seen any references to it having been tested in a wind tunnel (but it might have been).  Those prominent scoops in the wheel opening ensembles strike me as being aerodynamically draggy, causes of turbulence.

The back window is boat-tailed, making the greenhouse teardrop-shaped in plan view -- another aerodynamic hint.  Note the small, curved tail fins: the B.A.T. cars have much more elaborate versions of these.  There are small, barely functional rear bumpers.

Head-on view of the aggressive front.  There is no lower air dam, but the B.A.T. cars also lacked them, and they were highly efficient.

A general view of the Biposto.  It has a panoramic windshield, but no dog-leg forward door cut-line such as were found in mid-1950s American cars with wraparound windshields.