The Alfa Romeo Carabo is a concept car first shown at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, designed by Marcello Gandini for the Bertone studio on the chassis of an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. It was the first known vehicle with scissor doors and one of the first wedge-shaped designs by Gandini, who later drew the Lamborghini Countach.
Alfa Romeo Carabo at a glance
| Shown | 1968 Paris Motor Show |
|---|---|
| Designer | Marcello Gandini (Bertone) |
| Build time | 10 weeks |
| Body | fibreglass, with scissor doors |
| Chassis | Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, number 750.33.109 |
| Engine | 2.0 L V8, mid-mounted |
| Power | 230 bhp (233 PS) at 8,800 rpm |
| Torque | 200 N·m at 7,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed Colotti manual |
| Top speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alfa Romeo Carabo
The Carabo was created by Bertone in just 10 weeks and was never meant for production, but it was fully functional. Its name comes from the Carabidae beetles, because of its iridescent green and orange colours. The car was one of the first wedge-shaped designs by Gandini and helped set the trend for wedge-shaped supercars and concept cars in the 1970s.
Design and features
- Scissor doors: the first known vehicle to use them.
- Body: fibreglass, built on the chassis of a 33 Stradale.
- Mechanicals: the 2.0-litre mid-mounted V8 of the 33 Stradale with a 6-speed Colotti gearbox, giving 230 bhp and a top speed of 250 km/h.
Alfa Romeo Carabo versions
- Carabo (1968): a single concept car.
- Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: the road car on whose chassis it was built.
More Alfa Romeo concept cars are in our Alfa Romeo collection, for example the Alfa Romeo Navajo and the Alfa Romeo Scarabeo.
Alfa Romeo Carabo questions and answers
Who designed the Alfa Romeo Carabo?
Marcello Gandini, working for the Bertone design studio.
What does Carabo mean?
The name comes from the Carabidae beetles, which the iridescent green and orange colours recall.
What engine does the Carabo have?
A mid-mounted 2.0-litre V8 from the 33 Stradale, with 230 bhp at 8,800 rpm.
Was the Carabo ever produced?
No. It was a one-off concept car, built in 10 weeks.
What was new about it?
English Wikipedia calls it the first known vehicle with scissor doors.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo Carabo, English Wikipedia: design, chassis, engine
