English
RM Sotheby’s recently celebrated a historic sale. Renowned trio of Alfa Romeo Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica concept cars, B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9 found buyers for about $ 15 million at ‘Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction’. This is a new record for the brand that went down in history as the most valuable post-war Alfa Romeos ever sold in one lot at auction.
Alfa Romeo Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica concept cars B.A.T. 5, 7, and 9, that are the subject of the historical sale of $ 14.840.000 realized at Sotheby’s contemporary art auction night on 28 October, were produced in 1953, 1954 and 1955. Produced by the coach-builder Bertone B.A.T. 5, 7, and 9 also known as the sculptural design trio. With their advanced design engineering and aerodynamic attributes approach, they are considered as the groundbreaking automotive designs of the 20th century.
Built on otherwise ordinary Alfa road chassis, the trio evoked a hint of fantasy and science fiction elements at the time they were produced. Interestingly, the three B.A.T.s were never shown together as a triptych in period, and the cars were sold off following their respective show circuit runs. In fact, the cars were not united until the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Shortly after this, the trio acquired, restored, maintained and kept as a group ever since. They have only ever made very occasional public appearances over the past 30 years and the cars are undoubtedly one of the most important single collections of automobiles in existence.