Aston Martin Bertone Jet 2+2

For many decades, the Turin-based design house Bertone belonged to the top addresses for individual automobiles and even entire production runs on behalf of various manufacturers. There was an own production facility in Grugliasco/Italy for this purpose. But then a steady decline happened, partly due to increasingly emerging in-house design offices in the automotive industry, lower production costs of better developed vehicles and a sales crisis in the early 2000s, but also because of some wrong decisions at Bertone, after Giuseppe ‘Nuccio’ Bertone, son of the founder, had died in 1997. In 2014, the design office was finally closed as the last department still existing at that time.

In 2013, Bertone exhibited for the last time at the Geneva Motor Show, where two premieres were presented. Both were based on Aston Martin sports cars and revived the nickname of another one-off from 1961. At that time the two companies developed a sports car named DB4 GT Jet. With the Bertone Jet 2, built in 2004, based on the V12 Vanquish and repainted for Geneva 2013, and the all-new Bertone Jet 2+2 based on the four-door sports sedan Aston Martin Rapide, two new family members of the Jet range were put into limelight. While the first-built Jet 2 two-door sports car was owned and driven by Ermelinda ‘Lilli’ Bertone, the widow of Nuccio, after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2004, the RHD Jet 2+2 was built for Mr Barry Weir in Great Britain. He learned very early about the plans of the Jet 2 and had asked at Bertone, if the vehicle would be for sale, which was denied at the time. In October 2012, Bertone asked him if he would still be interested in a special Jet project. After initial discussions, Aston Martin was asked for permission and gave it within 30 minutes on the condition that they were allowed to see the plans before the construction of the one-off.

Together with Barry Weir, the Bertone designers created various designs until they were completely satisfied with the look. Above all, a good headroom on all four seats as well as the greatest possible versatility together with a completely foldable rear seat back in combination with a pleasing design played an important role. Then they traveled with these drawings to Gaydon, to get the permission of Aston Martin there. The Britons were completely thrilled and provided a Rapide sports sedan as a base vehicle. This arrived in Turin in December 2012, where work started immediately. First the built a concept study in original scale, made of clay. This was followed by the coordination of colors and materials for the interior. Finally, in March 2013, the finished Bertone Jet 2+2 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show.

Now it will pass into the hands of new owners. In our classic car market the Jet 2+2 is offered by the recently added dealer Classicmobilia from Milton Keynes/UK. They offer the unique car together with the clay block and all tools and moldings that would be needed to built additional copies of it. The price is only available on request. Here you will find the advertisement.

Images: Classicmobilia, Bertone