Unusual Aztec Barchetta speedster up for auction (40 photos)

Tomorrow, a futuristic Aztec Barchetta sports car will be auctioned at Bonhams auction in Abu Dhabi. The design was developed in the Italdesign studio, headed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro, and the sports cars were assembled by Motoren-Technik-Mayer. According to various sources, only 15 to 20 such machines were produced. The estimated price is from 180 to 220 thousand dollars.





Italdesign developed the Aztec Barchetta concept in honor of its 20th anniversary in the late 1980s. It was distinguished by its original layout: in fact, the sports car has two interiors - for the driver and passenger, separated by a powerful pylon. To get to each of the chairs, you first need to fold up the frame with compact glazing, and then open the door. Moreover, if the driver has a full set of controls, then the passenger has a handrail in the form of a truncated steering wheel and a Halda rally computer. The driver and passenger are invited to talk via the intercom system.

The concept was based on Lancia Delta Integrale units with a five-cylinder engine from Audi Quattro, and the body panels were made of aluminum, carbon fiber and Kevlar. Italdesign did not plan to mass-produce the Barchetta, but Japanese businessman Mario Myakawa, impressed by the concept, bought the development rights and, with the help of the MTM studio, launched the assembly of a simplified version of the Barchetta. In total, he expected to collect 50 cars, but the sports car turned out to be extremely expensive - according to the auctioneers, they asked for it for 550 thousand Deutschmarks. The Aztec Barchetta did not gain popularity, and therefore the circulation had to be reduced.

The car up for sale is in excellent condition and has relatively low mileage - it has traveled less than 7.7 thousand kilometers since its assembly. All components are kept original. In addition, there is an autograph of Giorgetto Giugiaro on board.