Italdesign Aztec Barchetta, 1988
Italdesign Aztec I
Italdesign Aztec I•
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Chassis No.: ZA9T1P03A00D50020
Estimate: US$180,000 - US$220,000 USD
- A breathtaking concept from the "Car Designer of the Century," Giorgietto Giugiaro
- Fabulous Sci-Fi-inspired detailing
- One of approximately 20 produced
Forging lasting relationships with major manufacturers, Giugiaro penned a string of iconic designs including Volkswagen's Golf & Scirocco, the Audi 80, BMW M1, Lotus Esprit, Alfasud, Fiat Panda, Lancia Delta, and more. He was named "Car Designer of the Century" in 1999 for his contributions to the industry. Italdesign also rolled out spectacular concept vehicles showcasing Giugiaro's fertile creativity, and the Asgard, Aspid, and Aztec represented a welcome break from production car designs, looking as if they wandered from the set of
Blade Runner.
Of the three show cars, only the Aztec was a runner. Light years away from Italdesign's production cars, the Aztec was a bold reinvention of the barchetta, featuring separate cockpits, mid-mounted engine, and four-wheel drive. The transmission componentry was sourced from the Lancia Delta Integrale, the five-cylinder, 20-valve, turbo-charged 250bhp engine came from the Audi Quattro, and an aluminum, carbon fiber and Kevlar body clothed a steel ladder-frame chassis. To enter, you first had to tilt the cockpit canopy upwards then open the door; once inside, the driver and passenger communicated via intercom.
Beneath the skin, the Aztec was not especially radical, but the 'sci-fi' aesthetics were startling, the detailing making it look more like a spaceship than a motorcar. High-tech side panels housed coded buttons that controlled the locks and the interface for the built-in hydraulic jacks and various vehicle functions.
Japanese industrialist Mario Myakawa was enthralled and purchased the rights to the Aztec through his company Compact, hiring Audi tuner Motoren-Technik-Mayer (MTM) to engineer it for homologation and limited production. Giugiaro commented, 'When the Aztec prototype was exhibited at the Turin Motor Show in 1988, I found it difficult to imagine that it would become a real car. It is therefore of immense satisfaction that the Aztec is now actually roadworthy and not just a static styling exercise.' Yet once German type approval was finally achieved, the hefty DM500,000 price tag dampened enthusiasm and the planned 50 cars dwindled to approximately 15-20 completed examples.
Serial number 50020 is one of the original production Aztecs built by the Japanese firm, Compact. As with all Aztecs, it is finished in space-age silver, with a rarely seen, striking red interior. Sporting a carbon fiber rear wing, double glass canopies, and rolling on correct Canonica modular wheels, it has lost none of its visual impact in the 35 years since debut. It is nicely presented, showing just under 7,700 km, and bearing the signature of Giorgetto Giugiaro on the right flank. The interior features the original-type instrumentation and controls, with the original Halda rally computer on the passenger side. Some slight delamination is noted in the glass, and the car is exceptionally well preserved throughout.
One would be hard pressed to find a finer celebration of Giugiaro's design mastery, and this wonderful example represents a rare opportunity to acquire a car more exclusive than most modern Ferraris and more attention-grabbing than a Bugatti Veyron.
Please note that this vehicle is under customs in the UAE. Our customs partner, The Stables, will manage all post-sale customs administration. If this vehicle is to stay in the UAE, it will be subject to Import VAT at the standard rate of 5% and Import Duty at 5%+VAT on the hammer price. An administration fee of 750 USD + VAT + Transport charges for Customs Inspection (If applicable) + Customs charges at cost with official receipt to process all customs movements will apply. If you have any questions regarding customs, please contact Bonhams|Cars or The Stables.
