Alfa Romeo Carabo

Alfa Romeo Carabo
Overview
Production	1968
Designer	Marcello Gandini for Bertone
Body and chassis
Class	Concept car
Body style	2-door coupe
Platform	RMR layout
Related	Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Alfa Romeo 33.2 Alfa Romeo Iguana Alfa Romeo Navajo
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L (1995 cc) V8
Transmission	Colotti 6-speed manual[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,350 mm (92.5 in)
Length	4,176 mm (164.4 in)
Width	1,785 mm (70.3 in)
Height	990 mm (39.0 in)
Curb weight	1,000 kg (2,205 lb)

The Alfa Romeo Carabo is a concept car first shown at the 1968 Paris Motor Show.^[1] It was designed by Marcello Gandini, working for the Bertone design studio.^[2] The Carabo name is derived from the Carabidae beetles, as evoked by the car's iridescent green and orange coloring.

The wedge design came into fashion in the late 1960s. The Carabo is often considered the winner of the 'Wedge War' award of 1968 and as the direct predecessor of the Lamborghini Countach and having heavily influenced many car designs to follow well into the next decade. It was never intended for production but was fully functional and showcased features never expressed in any other car design of its day, including its wedge design and scissor doors.

The prototype was built on the chassis of an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (chassis No. 750.33.109.), which features a mid-mounted 2.0 L V8 engine mated to a 6-speed Colotti manual transmission. The Carabo engine made 230 bhp (172 kW; 233 PS) at 8,800 rpm and 200 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) of torque at 7,000 rpm. This allowed it to be able to reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).^[1]

The scissor doors later appeared on the Lamborghini Countach, which was also designed by Gandini.

Replicas

Sam Foose (father of Chip Foose) built a replica of the Carabo on a De Tomaso Pantera platform after he was unable to buy the concept from Bertone.^[3] The Fiberfab Aztec was a kit car model based on the Carabo.^[4]

In the media

Marvel Comics' Nick Fury makes a quick getaway from some Las Vegas thugs in his red "Carabo" in Marvel Spotlight Vol.1, issue 31 (dated December 1976) titled "Assignment: the Infinity Formula".

References

External links

• UltimateCarPage.com. Alfa Romeo Carabo Concept
• OldConceptCars.com. Alfa Romeo Carabo Photos
• ConceptCarz.com. 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo
• Alfaromeoart.com. Official Alfa Romeo Carabo Art (archived)