Corvair Testudo

In 1962 many coachbuilders began to consider creating Corvair-based concepts, given an ongoing debate in the United States over the safety of the model produced by Chrevolet. Among them was Bertone, eager to make a name for itself overseas. At the same time, GM itself wants to promote the Corvair on the Old Continent with proposals designed for the European market, so much so that for many it is Bill Mitchell himself, director of the GM Style Center, who is supplying the chassis to the various body shops.

Having come into possession of the chassis in the winter of 1962, Nuccio is determined to build a Corvair-based prototype in time for the traditional early March Geneva Motor Show. The schedule is tight and Nuccio entrusts the task of developing the concept to Giugiaro without placing any constraints on him: Giorgetto will have to think not only about styling, but also about trying to make up for the original model's shortcomings in stability and road holding.

Giugiaro starts by shortening and reinforcing the Corvair Monza's chassis, while he has to leave unchanged the mechanicals consisting of the aforementioned 2.4-liter 6-cylinder boxer mounted at the rear. On the other hand, to increase dynamics he lowers the center of gravity and intervenes on the weight distribution by lightening the front end to give more "grip" to the rear-wheel drive. For styling, the young designer opts for rounded shapes that enhance aerodynamics including the side. The line is divided in two by the demarcation along the side with the upper part resembling the shell of a tortoise. An assonance that gives the prototype its name, Testudo, the Latin name for tortoise.

The presentation at the Geneva Motor Show is a success, the consensus unanimous: what impresses are the low profile (it is only 106 cm high) and streamlined, very balanced as a whole and with a long hood that, unlike other "all behinds," such as the Alpine A110 or the Porsche 356, suggests the presence of the engine in the front. Also pleasing are the two domes for access to the engine compartment and into the cabin, with the latter hinged in front and with a wraparound windshield and transparent Plexiglas roof. Other styling innovations include round front light clusters that swivel upward and rear light clusters, made of polycarbonate for the first time, built into the bumpers.

The beauty of the Testudo thunderstruck Ferruccio Lamborghini, who in the following years entrusted Bertone with the styling of many of his successful models, starting with the Miura: what would become the Taurus' most celebrated supercar incorporated many of the styling solutions conceived for the Testudo, such as the retractable headlights or the design of the air intakes on the sides of the windows. Then again, Giugiaro's dream car will leave a long legacy on future concept and granturismo cars in the decades to come.