1962 Chevrolet Testudo

The Testudo, which was designed and produced in only two months, turned out to be a revolutionary car in more ways than one. The innovative spirit of this car, with its bold, even provocative, styling recalls the numerous American dream cars of the period. It was a totally original car with its rear-mounted air-cooled boxer engine - especially considering its American origins (it was in fact built on a Chevrolet Corvair base). It was built as a fully-functioning prototype and included many entirely new bodywork features and innovative materials. Futuristic not only from a design point of view but also for its proportions, with a vertical height of 106 cm, it was well ahead of its time for the structural characteristics of a GT. The totally transparent greenhouse incorporates the doors and tips forward to open up the cockpit. The rear windscreen also tips forward to allow easy access to the engine, while at the front two disappearing headlights were incorporated into the bodywork.

The Testudo astounded the public when it was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, after being driven there by Nuccio Bertone himself. A provocative car, there can be no doubt about that, but a very successful one, in true Bertone style.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012